By providing compassion and care, Madurai's Adaikkalam Old Age Home has established a model for how to support senior citizens.
Adaikkalam Old Age Home is located in Thirunagar, Madurai. (Supplied)
Six individuals, dressed in matching outfits, commence a synchronised dance, moving in perfect harmony to choreographed routines set to the tunes of songs like Jawan’s (2023) Ramaiyya Vasthavaiya, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’s (2023) What Jhumka, and Master’s (2021) Vaathi Coming.
Their dance performances, featuring these popular songs on social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, have accumulated thousands of views, with some even surpassing a million views.
However, these individuals are far from your typical influencers or celebrities; they are senior citizens residing at the Adaikkalam (Free) Old Age Home in Madurai, and they have taken the virtual world by storm.
“I am a farmer, and when I was growing up, dancing and singing amid the fields was a common event for me. That’s how I used to unwind. So now, when I am encouraged to dance, it doesn’t feel unfamiliar. It excites me and brings joy to my heart!” says Suburaj, who is in his seventies.
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However, for Rakkayi, a 72-year-old, who has been living at Adaikkalam for the past two years, this is a brand new experience.
“Where did I ever find the time or desire to dance before? This is a fresh and joyful experience for me,” chirps Rakkayi, a farmer from Theni.
Devi, aged 65, Rajagopal, aged 69, and Prema, aged 81, express their enthusiasm when asked about their Instagram debuts and the positive impact that dance has had on their lives.
For one of them, it serves as a form of catharsis, while for another, it’s about maintaining their physical fitness, and for yet another, it’s about pursuing what brings them joy.
Adaikkalam currently provides care for 27 senior citizens. (Supplied)
South First spoke to this optimistic group of senior citizens, on the eve of International Day of Older Persons.
Among the 27 senior citizens at the Adaikkalam Old Age Home, consisting of 16 grandmothers and 11 grandfathers, each one bears a poignant tale to share.
In 2022, India had 14 crore people aged 60 and above. The United Nations Population Fund’s India Ageing Report 2023 predicts a rapid doubling of this figure.
The report reveals that over 40 per cent of India’s elderly are among the poorest, impacting their quality of life and healthcare access. Additionally, 18.7 per cent of elderly individuals lack any income source, exceeding the national average, ranging from 19.3 per cent and higher.
Moreover, in the changing landscape of social structures and family dynamics, many elderly individuals in India face challenging circumstances.
The stories of those in Adaikkalam are no different and include heart-wrenching tales of children abandoning them due to old age or illness, and sometimes they find themselves living on the streets with no one to care for them.
However, thanks to the persistent and wholehearted efforts of Vishwanath and his wife Nagalakshmi, their lives have taken a distinctive turn.
Established in 2020, during the throes of a global pandemic, the old age home opened its doors to those who had nowhere else to turn.
What began as a refuge soon transformed into something much more: a permanent sanctuary and a place of belonging.
Vishwanath’s and Nagalakshmi’s children have formed strong bonds with the seniors in the home. (Supplied)
“For the past decade, we’ve dedicated our lives to social work, involving in a range of activities, from wildlife and natural resource conservation to rescuing snakes,” shares Vishwa.
“Every Sunday for the last 10 years, a dedicated group of 30 volunteers and I have come together to serve our community through initiatives like Thirunagar Pakkam, Urvanam, and Neervanam. However, the inspiration for Adaikkalam Home was born during the challenging days of the COVID-19 pandemic when we recognised the dire situation faced by countless senior citizens who had been left without anyone to care for them,” he explains.
Typically, the notion of an old age home conjures a sombre atmosphere, but this couple has shattered that stereotype by creating a place for the elderly to live their lives with dignity during their later years.
“We provide nutritious and delicious food, maintain a clean environment, and ensure they have clothes to wear. These are basic necessities for any human being, and everyone deserves them; that’s our goal,” he shares.
The home also boasts vegetable farms that the senior residents tend to, along with caring for birds.
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“I manage the pumpkin farm with another resident, and it brings me a sense of relaxation,” says Rajagopal, who was brought to the home by his relatives after his ailing wife passed away.
“I don’t have children, and my elder brother brought me here. Despite the hardships I endured, now, I am happy,” he adds.
In addition to dance and other creative pursuits, a variety of games and activities are regularly organised at Adaikkalam.
“We also conduct health camps, provide mental wellness counselling, and ensure that our residents have everything they need to feel safe, secure, comfortable, occupied and happy. They are like children to us,” Vishwa says, emphasising the need for holistic care for seniors.
With nearly 10 young volunteers consistently present at the home, the space is always infused with vibrant energy and an uplifting atmosphere.
The dynamic environment at Adaikkalam fosters meaningful intergenerational connections. (Supplied)
This dynamic environment fosters meaningful intergenerational connections, allowing the younger generations to actively contribute to the lively aura that defines Adaikkalam.
The couple and the proactive volunteer network they lead have been instrumental in rescuing and reuniting senior citizens who were deserted by their families from different states or who lost their way due to memory-related issues.
“It’s always heartwarming to witness individuals reuniting with their families. However, it’s disheartening to see that some individuals do not reclaim their parents. In such cases, they become permanent members of the Adaikkalam family until their final days,” Vishwa expresses.
The old age home operates primarily on public funding and assistance from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities.
“Thanks to the recognition we’ve garnered through the network we’ve established over the past decade, we can sustain our financial needs. Our monthly expenses for running the home amount to approximately ₹1,30,000 rupees and these funds are sourced from donations,” Vishwa elaborates.
Visits from donors to the home bring immense joy to the residents, who find themselves recognised and appreciated for their Instagram videos and talents.
Vishwanath has been a social worker for a decade and runs several other initiatives. (Supplied)
“Some people, when they come to visit us, ask for the ‘dance thatha,’ they come, greet me, and engage in conversation. I might not know them personally, but their words bring me happiness,” enthuses Rajagopal, mirroring the connection the residents feel with their visitors.
For Devi, a former house help, Adaikkalam truly became a sanctuary after her husband’s passing.
“The people I used to work for brought me here. I didn’t have children or anyone else to care for me, and here, they treat me like their own parents. Everyone I interact with here is my friend. It’s the first time I’ve had friends,” she says, her voice trembling.
“Are you happy, paati?” we ask. “Enakkena, romba sandhoshama irukken (I am very happy). I had many problems at my home. Now, I am peaceful and happy,” she shares.
Nagalakshmi, overwhelmed with emotion, reveals that the residents care for her and her family just as they would for their own children.
“If I happen to arrive at the home late one day due to a headache, they become genuinely concerned. They take care of me and my children. Similarly, for my kids, they regard all the residents as their grandparents. It’s a close-knit family bond that we share,” she says, describing the heartwarming atmosphere that defines life at Adaikkalam.
While the seniors at Adaikkalam express their happiness, it’s not a yearning for life in an old age home that they convey.
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What they genuinely desire is a place that nurtures a sense of belonging and treats them with the warmth and care reserved for cherished family members.
“Children, until they reach the age of 10, require our patience. Similarly, elderly individuals often display challenging behaviours after the age of 60. Therefore, it’s crucial for us to maintain patience. After all, parents once cared for their children during times when they couldn’t fend for themselves. If we all cultivate patience, empathy, and a spirit of embracing one another, there would be no necessity for orphanages or old age homes,” Nagalakshmi imparts.
In Adaikkalam, just like in any ordinary household, there are occasional conflicts, misunderstandings, moments of joy, happiness, and instances of grief.
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“Picture growing up in the same house and encountering disagreements. Now, envision a home where everyone hails from diverse backgrounds and different locations, and has had distinct upbringings, faced tragedies, and lived through various experiences. That’s Adaikkalam. But what’s truly remarkable is that they have all learned to coexist in perfect harmony,” says Nagalakshmi.
But was it always like this?
“Not at all. There have been instances where a senior citizen couldn’t accept someone’s presence due to factors like their community or other divisions. It’s a product of their conditioning. However, we take the initiative to teach and educate them that treating someone differently is unjust,” she shares.
Now, with time, the residents have unlearned these biases and prejudices.
“We take pride in having successfully dismantled the conditioning of the generation that came before us,” she beams.
Now, in Adaikkalam, divisions have faded away. The guiding principle is that everyone is equal. The senior citizens are embracing a life that tops their previous experiences.
Ask Prema about the message she’d like to impart to her fellow senior citizens about living life, she responds with wisdom: “Summon the courage to lead the life you desire. Today, I dance, sing, and even act. Others here at Adaikkalam engage in various hobbies despite their age. Some may face limitations due to ailments, but they discover their own avenues to relish life. It’s through courage that we authentically live. So, be brave,” she shares.
Perhaps it’s this very courage that has elevated her to stardom among her grandchildren, who eagerly visit her at home. “They’ve watched my Instagram videos, and it brings them joy to see me perform,” she shares.
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“Elders are our most precious jewels. If we don’t lose them, we stand to gain invaluable wisdom from their experiences. If you have elders at home, resist the urge to engage in arguments. While circumstances may be challenging, practice patience,” Nagalakshmi adds.
In a country where the elderly population is growing, and many face vulnerability, Adaikkalam, its volunteers, and residents have set an inspiring example of what’s possible when a community comes together to care for its seniors.
To support Adaikkalam Free Old Age Home, call: 8608700088 or mail wishtohelpcharitabletrust@gmail.com Instagram @Adaikkalam
If you are a senior citizen feeling distressed or need information on schemes, legal guidance and other services, call, Senior Citizen Helpline Number 14567. The toll-free number is open on all days from 8 am to 8 pm in coordination with the Social Welfare & Women Empowerment Department.
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