Pics: Justin D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD/MS)
Udupi, Jan 7: A symbolic protest was held by performing artistes working in the field of Yakshagana and stage drama in front of the DC's office here on Friday January 7 to draw the attention of the ruling BJP government to the hardships faced by them due to the weekend and night curfews.
Speaking on the occasion, Kishore Kumar Kundapur, president of Kalakshetra Kundapur, said, “We have gathered here to draw the attention of government towards the pathetic conditions of performing artistes. In addition to artistes, other people who are dependent on these arts like labourers working in sound and lighting, costume designers, various hawkers and vendors are facing problems. The life of artistes will be in dire straits in the coming days if the curfew continues.
"Most of the artistes work all through the night and take rest during day time. So they cannot go to any other work. The government has to withdraw the weekend curfew and allow the artistes to earn their bread. We also have responsibility to control covid, but no one should snatch our livelihood.”
Speaking to media, artiste Sathish Pai of Mooru Muthu troupe said, "Due to this rule of the government artistes are facing real problems. For the past 50 years, our troupe has been earning livelihood from performing arts. Around 14 people are there in our team. In the past two years somehow we have managed with the policies of the government.
"For us January to April is a peak time when demand is high. Artistes are in financial distress. Government should relax rules and allow us to hold shows. Curfew time should be extended to 12 midnight which will allow us to perform cultural activities," he urged.
An appeal was submitted to additional DC Sadashiva Prabhu in this regard. Hundreds of artistes and other related people were present on the occasion.