Among them is 22-year-old Korok Biswas, who calls himself a “self-advocate” of art. A Gaudiya dancer from Bengal with rigorous training in Bharatanatyam under Dr Arkadev Bhattacharya at Kerala Kalamandalam, he takes a rural project of the Ramakrishna Mission to people, spreading awareness that barriers can be overcome with will and aspiration.

“At Sammohan, to be held at Magic Planet in Thiruvananthapuram, he performed both gaudiya and bharatanatyam,” says his father Kallol, proud that his son is arguably India’s first classical dancer with Down’s Syndrome to have gained national and international recognition.

Joining him is 25-year-old Megha Chowdhury, a disciple of Hindustani maestro Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty. “She sang Rabindra Sangeet, for which she has received training. And since it is Navaratri, she opened with a Saraswati Vandana,” says her mother Archana.

Megha, who is autistic, began talking late, but music as therapy transformed her journey. Training at Ajoy Chakraborty’s Shrutinandan School gave her further grounding. A state awardee, Megha’s rendition was a mix of classical and semi-classical, reflecting the inclusivity that has allowed her aspirations to take flight.