Punjab: A bouquet of spectacular artworks adorned the beautiful gardens of Jalandhar’s Gymkhana Club in the first week of April. An effort by children and artists from neurodiverse backgrounds and the autistic spectrum left the audience spellbound and even the Lalit Kala Academy in Chandigarh took notice. ‘Soch Ke Rang’, an effort by NGO Soch, launched in 2023 to showcase artworks of students from across the state and beyond, held its seventh event this month. What started as a seed has now grown into a plant receiving affection from artists across the state and the country. The artwork includes handmade crockery, paper art, paintings, soaps, dried flowers, pickles and cakes. Deaf and mute artist, painter Harmanpir Singh interacted with people for hours through the written word. By evening, he had impressed everyone with his art and even artists from nearby stalls urged people not to miss out on his exhibition. Abhishek (28), who suffers from cerebral palsy, started painting during Covid and displayed his artwork at the Lalit Kala Academy in Chandigarh. Other artists and entrepreneurs, including Nandini Agarwal, Anaisha Rathore, Shiraz, Vihana, Jessirna and Ruhani, are involved in the fundraising. Anjali Dada, founder of SOCH, said, “Bhim Malhotra, chairman of the Lalit Kala Academy, is extremely impressed with the range of artworks displayed. About a month before the exhibition, we “invite” artists who express a desire to exhibit their art and craft. While most artists come from neurodiverse backgrounds or the autistic spectrum, the participants also include a lot of young neurotypical schoolchildren, who are working to raise funds for SOCH and people with autism and other neurodiverse conditions.
The proceeds go towards future exhibitions and other activities of SOCH aimed at reaching out to more and more parents and children.” Anjali added that an average income of Rs 1 lakh is generated from a show. He added, “Last year, we witnessed a phenomenal result. Soch Ke Rang 1.0 in Jalandhar was a resounding success with over 400 visitors. A community has come together to appreciate and celebrate diversity.” Speaking on the plans, Anjali Dada said, “We are now gearing up for more shows after extensive interaction with those associated with us and inviting others to join in. For another initiative – “Artists in Spotlight” – Meri Soch Meri Pehchaan – we are collaborating with cafes, home stores and art curators in the state and region. Artists create notebooks and diaries carrying their artwork as the cover. The notebooks are then sold at select cafes and stores.
Punjab: Where art meets neurodiversity
