Judith Antony

Those who suffer from speech difficulties often restrain themselves from speaking up and inwardly cringe in fear when expected to address an authority figure or a group of people. Studies conducted in India show that approximately 2% of the population stammers. Stammering or stuttering is a condition that interferes with normal fluency and flow of speech. While both the terms are used, stammering is a British term and stuttering is a North American one.

It’s six in the morning and the DDA ground in Vasant Kunj is filled with rugby players in action. From young aspiring players to veteran national players, all assemble at the ground for their weekly practice. Kuldeep Bist, head coach of Delhi Hurricanes, is in his spot managing the team while they’re playing. He stops the game whenever the players make a mistake, makes them understand what went wrong and then continues the game. Apart from being the coach, he works as an administrator at IGNOU.

A group exhibition titled ‘Aakaar’ and hosted by Kalakalpam, combines the works of 14 artists from all over India. The group has been organising artist camps and exhibitions under the name ‘Art Convergence’ over the last decade. In 2022, the group changed its name and registered as Kalakalpam. The artists each bring a distinct skill to the group. Aashima Mehrotra depicts the difficulties of independence, inventiveness, and emancipation while painting the  “Distorted Liberation”.