Samagratha supports disabled musicians in Chennai

Singers Vinod Venugopal and Reshmi have launched a new platform called Samagratha. This initiative aims to support musicians with disabilities by providing more opportunities for them. One musician benefiting from this platform is Sapna Soundarajan. At just 25 years old, she has performed alongside famous playback singers. However, she faces challenges in finding paid opportunities, as she is on the autism spectrum. Samagratha is helping artists like Sapna gain visibility and financial support. Vinod and Reshmi started Samagratha in 2023, during the COVID-19 pandemic. They noticed the talent of differently-abled singers at various events and sought to provide them with consistent income through music. The platform has already hosted three music events in Chennai, showcasing 14 aspiring musicians with different disabilities. The initiative also aims to educate people about the importance of including differently-abled musicians in performances. Vinod emphasized that opportunities must go beyond just letting these artists perform. They need proper training, support, and income for their craft. While many selected musicians are from Chennai, some come from other cities like Coimbatore and Pune. Bringing them to Chennai for performances can be challenging and expensive. They require support for music training and other needs based on their disabilities. Samagratha's efforts include organizing rehearsals and ensuring that performers are well-prepared. They also work to raise awareness in the community about the talents of these musicians, hoping that more companies will provide them with opportunities. Parents of these musicians, like Sapna's father, believe they need more corporate backing. Music can bring immense joy to differently-abled individuals, as noted by Ashwath R's mother, who highlighted the unique talents of special needs musicians.