ANDOVER, MA— On Sunday afternoon, the walls of the Collins Center for the Performing Arts echoed with something more beautiful than the greatest Bollywood hits—it was the uninhibited laughter, shouts, and pure, unfiltered joy of special needs children, experiencing, many for the first time, the magic of live music.
In a crowd of 750, about 200 people of children with special needs came together for something they rarely get to enjoy: a judgment-free, full-blown Bollywood concert where no one was asked to be quiet, no one was shushed, and no one felt out of place.
“This was the first time I’ve taken my daughter for something like this,” one parent shared emotionally. “She has sensory issues, and we usually avoid loud events. But tonight, she was comfortable, included—and she stayed for the whole concert.”
The concert, “Chal Zindagi—Small Wins, Big Deal,” was more than a show. It was a sanctuary of acceptance.
To watch glispses from the program, please click here, or on the image beow.
Produced by Juju Productions, the event featured vocalist Anuradha “Juju” Palakurthi, performing alongside Mithilesh Patankar and Mumbai’s Finest Band, led by renowned music director Kamlesh Bhadkamkar, flown in from India. The proceeds from the evening benefited Special Olympics Massachusetts, supporting over 19,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and autism.
As Juju’s rich voice rang out with songs like Jhumka Gira Re, Kajara Mohabbat Wala, and Kala Chashma, the children danced freely in the aisles, spun in their seats, and added their own rhythms—claps, giggles, squeals—to the beat. And no one stopped them. In fact, those sounds became the most touching music of the night.
Parents, many with tears in their eyes, looked on with relief and pride. “It was heartwarming to see families so relaxed,” said Kajal Kaushik. “No stress. No pressure. Just pure love and joy in everyone’s eyes.”
“This wasn’t just a concert,” added attendee Poppy Charnalia. “It was a periscope into the lives of special needs families—their resilience, their joy, and their right to simply be.”
Added Charnalia: “We could not attend an event as a family together. This is the first time we have attended a concert of our favorite singer together. It means so much to our family.”
For many, it was the first time they felt they truly belonged at a public event. Suzana Naik summed it up best: “This experience touched something deeply human in all of us—pure love, joy, inclusion, and humanity. Above and beyond the lights and glamor.”
Among the many moving moments of the evening was a deeply personal reflection shared by Boston philanthropist Jit Saxena and his wife Sonia, who spoke about their beloved son Neil, who had special needs and passed away at the age of 29. With quiet strength and grace, they spoke of the immense joy, love, and meaning Neil brought into their lives, and how events like Chal Zindagi resonate deeply with families like theirs. Their words served as a powerful reminder that the lives of individuals with special needs are filled with beauty, purpose, and profound impact—not only on their families, but on entire communities.
As the final notes faded, what remained was something that can’t be captured in decibels or lights: the quiet power of belonging, the loud celebration of small wins, and the unforgettable music of unconditional joy.
