Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 20: Eminent Theatre Director, Balwant Thakur, also Regional Director of Indian Council for Cultural Relations, J&K here today pleaded for financial assistance to the community of artists who are in extreme indigent circumstances.
Forwarding his communication to J&K Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha, Balwant Thakur submitted that artists, particularly the performing artists who have no other source of income are in a very bad shape at present due to the COVID-19 crises followed by continued lockdown in J&K.
Thakur stated that livelihood of such artists depend on small cultural assignments offered by various cultural organizations and agencies including J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages, Song and Drama Division, Zonal Cultural Centres, Doordarshan, ICCR and Radio. A handout stated that being a nominee of Government of J&K to the General Council of Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, he has already taken-up the matter with the authorities of National Academy of Music and Drama and Ministry of Culture, Government of India to find out means and ways to support the community of performing artists in a dignified manner. Thakur particularly referred to the traditional performers of both Jammu and Kashmir divisions who totally rely on their artistic assignments.
“The community of artists is so sensitive that they will shy away from seeking assistance and will continue to suffer in these hours of crises,” he maintained.
Balwant Thakur urged upon the Lt. Governor to assign a Government agency to identify such artists who are in urgent need of financial assistance and support for their survival and involve a larger body of senior people from the community to ensure fairness and transparency in such distributions.
“The selection list should not limit to the performers but should also include technicians, anchors and other off-stage workers,” Thakur further stated.
Follow our WhatsApp channel