In my last column I had made a plea for a 'package', in the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic, for Indian artistes. Maybe I was delusional in thinking that the gatekeepers of the domain of the arts in India are proactive, read extensively and will at least take the hint if not get inspired. Not one to give up in the face of inertia, in this column I persist in my demand for a 'package' for the artistes of India in response to COVID 19 and the peculiar and unprecedented situation that faces the arts today.
The unprecedented setback by the Corona virus that has impacted the entire world has not spared India. In fact, the Indian economy that was already doing badly with falling GDP and an unprecedentedly high figure of joblessness, has now got on to a downward spin, and threatens to spin out of control. No sector has escaped its ill effects. The sector of culture and creative economy, which represents our priceless heritage of the arts, is also severely hit. Art remains an 'Unorganised Sector' making it susceptible to the vagaries of disasters even as all artists have become among the most 'Endangered Species'. Given the fragility of the constituency, there is palpable worry, emanating from the community as well as its stakeholders and watchers, that the arts may not survive in their glory, unless hand held and helped at this stage.
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The unprecedented setback by the Corona virus that has impacted the entire world has not spared India. In fact, the Indian economy that was already doing badly with falling GDP and an unprecedentedly high figure of joblessness, has now got on to a downward spin, and threatens to spin out of control. No sector has escaped its ill effects. The sector of culture and creative economy, which represents our priceless heritage of the arts, is also severely hit. Art remains an 'Unorganised Sector' making it susceptible to the vagaries of disasters even as all artists have become among the most 'Endangered Species'. Given the fragility of the constituency, there is palpable worry, emanating from the community as well as its stakeholders and watchers, that the arts may not survive in their glory, unless hand held and helped at this stage.
Read more in the site
WHY DON'T ALL OUR ART COLUMNISTS ADDRESS OUR NATION AS BHAARAT ONLY AND TRY TO ESCHEW THE FOREIGN NAME India.OUR COUNTRY IS BHAARAT, WE ARE BHAARAREEYA AND OUR ART IS BHAARATANAATYAM . BHAARAREEYA SAMSKRITI WE FOLLOW.
ReplyDeleteDHANANJAYAN
This exhaustive well curated article by Arshiya Sethijee should immediately reach MOC for their judicious consideration of all the suggestions she has given.But unfortunately people sitting at the top seems no inclination to take up suggestions coming from Artistes like us. Art, artistes and culture are in the least priority subject of any government, and present Government is also no exception. I have written open letters in the press as well as directly to PM and FM for urgent need of protecting the art and artistes and Bhaarareeya Samskriti. So far no action seen in the scene. The cumbersome procedures and documents required for grants from funding bodies, dissuade & discourage artistes and well functioning cultural institutions to apply for any kind of financial assistance from the Govt departments. Adding to that problem, delay in getting sanctioned aids in time frustrating. As Sethi has mentioned several such pending disbursement of funds disheartens the creative urge of genuine artistes. A lot of non professionals are engaged in undermining the actual professionals who do not indulge in malpractice, such bribery and commissions to a middleman etc.
ReplyDeleteAll said and done kudos to Arshiyajee for giving constructive suggestions which I hope and pray will reach the attention of the concerned govt and private NGOs.
Naatyaachaarya V.P.Dhananjayan, Chennai.
Namaste Arshiyaji. A very well written, need of the hour article which needs to be noticed by the MOC and SNA. Creation of an All India Directory of Professional Artists will go along way in channelising the grants and other funds available for the artists in a much more streamlined manner.As President of ABHAI which I am heading since 2018, I can vouch for our full co operation with Governmental Agencies and the Zonal Cultural Centres in getting this master list ready so that the funds can be directed to the most deserving and the right artists in a timebound manner.At this point I would like to also pint out that at ABHAI we have attempted to make a difference in lives of 150 Artists till date since the 14th of April, 2020 helping them to gain a foothold. And all this we could accomplish with our own funds collection initiative which is Rs.13 lakhs till date. And the Mission continues in the true spirit of #Atmanirbhar.
ReplyDeleteNamaste Ji. It is an excellent article.
ReplyDelete1. To prepare a all India list of artists
2. Our Art is our identity of the country. So it should not be given least priority
3. The local SNA body when approached they just raised their hands.
4. In central level Government should take care of this issue through this issues raised by Arshya ji