MUMBAI: Naina Kuttapan took voluntary retirement as an assistant manager with a nationalised bank to pursue her passion: to identify visually-impaired talents. She then put in all her savings and founded Nayan Foundation for Performing Arts (NFPA), an NGO, and a musical group called Melody Marvels. The objective is to give the differently-abled artistes a chance to perform in jails, rescue homes, and juvenile homes.
“Initially, I was not getting contacts to convince jail officials. When I directly approached them and offered to organise shows without charging a penny, they welcomed the proposal. There were times when I struggled to pay the artistes, for the transport, and other expenses, but God always helped me in some way or the other,” said Ms. Kuttapan, a graduate from Mumbai University.
The group has performed at Thane Central Jail, Yerawada Jail, Byculla Jail and Arthur Road Jail, apart from the rescue home for women at Deonar, juvenile home in Dongri, Taloja Vridhashram, and many such institutions. She is preparing the group for shows at Nashik Jail and Kolhapur Jail. “I chose jails because I think when the prisoners see the visually-impaired artistes perform, they are forced to think positive about themselves and society. If I am able to change one prisoner through one show, I am winning the race.”
According to her, the group is not restricted to Mumbai; it is ready to perform at any place in the country and abroad. “I have confidence in my artistes and I feel they are the best in their field. Our artistes, through their performances, convey that disability is never a hurdle and they can contribute to society.”
“Since my childhood I have always wanted to help the differently-abled talents. That is one of the reasons I have never thought of getting married,” she said. The videos of performances have been uploaded on Facebook and their website: nayanfoundation forperformingarts.in
