In an extraordinary celebration of talent, resilience and inclusion, children with disabilities from India and Singapore performed together for the first time at Empowering with Love – a heartwarming cultural showcase on April 19 at the Quantum Arena, One World International School, Punggol.
Organised by the Different Art Centre (DAC) in Thiruvananthapuram and the Singapore Malayalee Association (SMA), the three-hour spectacle featured breathtaking performances in magic, music, dance and visual arts.
The event drew emotional applause from the audience, as children from the two nations bridged cultural boundaries through the universal language of art.
Helmed by celebrated magician and disability rights advocate Gopinath Muthukad, the show embodied DAC’s mission: transforming the lives of differently-abled children through the arts. “Our goal is to spread this model worldwide,” Mr Muthukad said. “What began in Kerala can inspire change everywhere.”
Among the 30 performers were 15 children from DAC and several Singapore-based children, including Samuel Lee, who showcased his dance and magic skills.
For many, this was their first time on stage. Their weeks of training culminated in a spirited display that touched hearts and earned standing ovations.
Mr Vincent Lee, the father of Samuel who has Down Syndrome, said. “It was magical. It’s the first time Samuel did magic on stage. We felt like one family – no race, no language barrier, just love.”
The show’s emotional core resonated with parents like Mr Rajesh Rajendran, whose 16-year-old daughter Malavika has autism. “She often says she has no friends. This platform gave her confidence and connection. It was priceless,” he said.
DAC has long championed this approach. Today, the centre provides therapy, vocational training and international performance opportunities to over 150 children.
His dream: to build the International Institute for People with Disabilities in Kasaragod by 2029, which he envisions as the largest and most inclusive centre of its kind globally.
The Singapore showcase also featured a rare cross-cultural exchange. “These children are not just performing; they are learning about timing, coordination, and self-expression,” said special needs educator Joyce Ho. “In six weeks, we saw incredible transformation.”
Plans are already afoot to replicate the DAC model in Singapore, a move SMA and Mr Muthukad say will revolutionise special needs education here. “It’s not just the children who grow – it’s society. We need to evolve to embrace every ability,” said Mr Mohan Kumar, DAC’s global ambassador.
