Main SpecialSaathi: Awareness Mascot
Meet Benzy, a young 27 year old woman with autism who has achieved more than what most people could ever dream of. Despite being diagnosed with a mental development disorder, Benzy has become an award-winning singer who has performed in numerous countries around the world. Her incredible musical journey is a testament to her determination, talent, and the unwavering support of her parents.
Benzy was born prematurely and was kept in an incubator for 40 days. When she came home, her parents noticed that she was not like other babies. Her body was stiff, and she had hardly any movements. Even her eyeballs did not have any movements, and her blinking was rare. After consulting with a doctor, they learned that Benzy had a mental development disorder and was declared ‘mentally retarded.’ Doctors even declared her to be bedridden for life. However, her parents did not give up on her, and they helped her become independent.
Despite suffering from partial paralysis and not being able to talk fluently, Benzy developed an incredible talent for singing. Her musical journey began when she was two years old, and it took four years for her to sing her first raag. At the age of five, she started training in Indian classical music. Many teachers gave up on her because she could not sit in one place for long and focus. It was only when a 79-year-old music teacher agreed to recite the basic notes and raagas to her without expecting her to sit at one place that she started learning music.
Within two years, she became well-versed in a few of the raagas, and at the age of seven, she gave her first-ever stage performance. To further augment her talent, her parents decided to record her music and send it to singer Shubha Mudgal for feedback and guidance. Ms Mudgal recognized Benzy’s talent and encouraged her parents to continue her training. While recording in studios was not an easy task for Benzy, as wearing headphones and singing on a track were new concepts for her, she recorded her first album titled ‘Basic Raagas’ at the age of nine.
At the age of 10, Benzy recorded her second album titled ‘Koshish.’ She won her first national award from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE). Since then, she has won many other honors, including two appearances in the Limca Book of World Records. In 2005, she became the first autistic child to release a music album, and in 2014, she became an autistic person with the maximum number of music albums in the world. So far, Benzy has recorded 11 albums.
Benzy’s story is a true inspiration. She has overcome tremendous odds to become an award-winning singer and performer. Her parents’ love and support have been a significant factor in her success. Benzy’s journey shows that with determination, hard work, and unconditional love, people with disabilities can achieve great things. Her story is a reminder that every person has the potential to make a significant impact in the world, regardless of their challenges.
Read Benzy’s full story here published in Swachhindia.ndtv.com- https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/leaving-no-one-behind-benzy-a-singer-with-autism-who-expresses-herself-through-music-66590/
Above information, video and print story is provided by Ms.Kavita Kumar mother of Benzy.
Creative representation for the story of Benzy is done by our supertalented CreativeSaathi associate Dhrov Tikoo
One reply on “Main SpecialSaathi- Benzy”
Finding a teacher who agreed to teach despite the movement… I pray and wish all kids find their right teachers.. God bless us.