Excelsior Correspondent
JOHANNESBURG, July 23: Balwant Thakur made an appeal to all for supporting arts and artists in these difficult times of COVID-19 crisis while addressing an international webinar on the topic “Arts in Carona Times.”
Balwant Thakur who himself is an International name and most celebrated icon of performing arts and is currently working as cultural diplomat of India in South Africa, highlighted the disturbing realities about the fate of performing arts and artists all over the world.
He said that the cultural and creative industries sector is undoubtedly one of the sectors that have been hit badly by the COVID-19 pandemic. UNESCO called the situation a “cultural emergency” on a global scale. Performing arts be it music, dance or drama is all about being close to the people is hit very badly.
“There are many grave concerns associated with performing arts and artists which need to be addressed by the authorities. The traditional performing artists who are considered to be the custodians of our priceless heritage, if not supported at this time may be forced to leave the practice of their respective forms, thus endangering the preservation of our cultural wealth,” Thakur asserted.
He said that a defined policy need to be in place as the entire performing art community has been severely hit and the artists are striving hard for their survival. “He has already made a request to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir to extend helping hand to the performing artists of the UT in these hours of crisis and in larger interest of the preservation of performing arts and cultural identities,” Thakur said during the webinar.
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