KOLLAM: Even though Sajeesh is blind, he has his children, 7th grader Sayanthana and 2nd grader Samyukt, on his left and right to fill his mind with the scenes of the arts festival. Without leaving the father's fingertip, they filled his sight with words...

His other half Shalini, who was visually impaired, was Sajeesh's guide earlier but cancer became the villain. Shalini was treated at Ernakulam General Hospital for three years but passed away last year. The father's wish to go to the arts festival this time as well was fulfilled by the children.

Sajeesh of Idamuttath house, Vypin Edavanakkad, is a mimicry artist and singer. In 1995 and 1997, Sajeesh competed up to the district level in mimicry. He graduated in History from Kerala Varma College. He used to come to college occasionally to meet his friends. It was during one such trip that he met Thrissur native BA Malayalam student Shalini and it blossomed into love. Shalini was with him for almost 12 years, sharing joys and sorrows.

Sajeesh has been running a singing troupe of blind singers called Jyothis Orchestra in Vypin for twenty years. This is his source of income. He needs Rs 8000 per month for house rent alone. His father Shiva and mother Sulochana are the ones who look after his children.

Insight of Mazhavillu

There is a WhatsApp group called Mazhavillu, led by Sajeesh, for the visually impaired. The 8-member group has online programs like Antakshari and Quiz every night from 8 to 9 pm. Sajeesh had shared the information about taking his children to the arts festival in the group. With this, his friends Shiju and Ajayakumar arrived from Thiruvananthapuram. Friends who gathered at the Kollam railway station today morning enjoyed the sights of the venues together with their insight.