Bandish – Musical Journey towards Empowerment for Persons with Disability

Livelihood, poverty and disability are very intricately interdependent. Poverty leads to

disability and Vice Versa. Dignified, steady and sustainable source of livelihood can, to some

extent address this issue paving the way for empowerment.

The total population of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Gujarat is 10.92 Lakh, 61% being

in the employable age (18-59 years). Out of these, 35 percent are employed, and 65 percent

are unemployed. Wage employment, self-employment through skill development, vocational

training, strengthening of traditional sources of livelihood are currently being focused by the

development community. Low level of employment and education level necessary for a

decent life are leading towards poverty and marginalization, underdeveloped human resource,

loss of output from productive disabled people impacting society and economy at large,

especially for women with disabilities.

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 has been implemented in the country to

ascertain a life of dignity for persons with disabilities. The majority of PwDs live in rural

areas and with infringed access to opportunities and resources and the day-in and day-out

struggle for identity takes a toll on their situation.

We plan to create and mentor a unique Orchestra run by PWDs with flair for music and

singing. A group of 11 PwDs with basic skills in the same - called BANDISH –- has already

been created and has been supported by basic training and opportunity for performances by

Aatapi since past one year. They have performed in several functions organised by the

Foundation and also made their presence felt on social media through uploading their video

of the National Song on occasion of Independence Day, 2020.

Capacity building of persons with disabilities, access to opportunities is now critical to refine

and upscale up their skills a notch and increase the scope of their performances. Due to

restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, where live performances have been

restricted to a large extent, we plan to build their capacities not only in music/instrumental

skills but also in using the online platforms for marketing and reaching to a wider audience.

We also need to build their entrepreneur skills to manage a group and become self reliant.

We hope to create a role model for self sufficiency of Persons with Disability. Many PwDs have a natural flair for music. In case this

experiment is successful, it will provide an incentive to others to try and develop similar capacities and develop their own teams. For

others, it will provide a hope and ambition to try their hand at entrepreneurship.