Human Library – Featuring Artists with Disabilities

With a love for photography and an eye for detail, Gayatri Gupta explores her passion for photography and painting constantly. She loves painting abstract versions of the moods as depicted by the earth and the moon. Her intricate brush strokes and her undying love for art is expressed in all her art works. While painting, her dedication and precision is unmatched. Gayatri’s attention to detail helps her capture momentous photographs which are impactful and expressive. She has also taken up various unpaid opportunities to hone her photography skills.

Mrs. Jyothi K. Kumar was born deaf at Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. But she has made Bangalore her permanent residence. Mrs. Jyothi completed her five-year course in KEN SCHOOL of ARTS and got a Diploma in Fine Arts. During this period, she took active part in the organization of exhibitions at Venkatappa Art Gallery and other places. As a recognition of her work, she won NATIONAL SUVARNA BALASHREE RATNA AWARD IN 1997. Later, she got a diploma in Computer application, Multimedia and Web Multimedia. During this period, she worked as a Commercial artist, textile designer, Miniature Painting Artist (Creative) in various companies. She was ex-committee member of Deaf Aids Society for funding Sheila Kothavala Institute for Deaf, Bangalore. She was working as part time drawing teacher and was counseling to motivate the deaf senior students to improve their studies at Sheila Kothavssala Institute for Deaf. Apart from this, she is a freelancer in graphics and painting.

Nawaz Shaikh is an Indian rapper from Bengaluru who goes by the stage name MC Truth. Not to be confused with the Mumbai rapper Naved Shaikh (Naezy), MC Truth is a prominent figure in India’s hip-hop scene and a vocal inclusion activist. At the age of 18, Shaikh was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, a condition that resulted in paralysis from the waist down. He found solace in hip-hop, which helped him navigate his struggles and become a source of inspiration for others.  MC Truth gained significant recognition after winning the MTV Hustle Cypher in Bengaluru.

He is now known for judging rap battles at universities and using his music to promote positivity, mental well-being, and artistic expression for people with disabilities. He has collaborated with notable artists and producers, including Raftaar, Ananya Birla, Gagan Baderiya, and Flamboy. As India’s first recognized paraplegic rap artist by Able Aura, MC Truth is a trailblazer who participates in marathons and uses his platform for inclusion activism.  His recent releases include the EP This is Now (2023) and the single “Parwaana” (2025).