Coimbatore folk artists reeling under COVID crisis petition District Collector for relief funds

Coimbatore: Folk musicians in Coimbatore have requested relief funds from the TN Government to compensate the loss of their livelihood due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They petitioned the District Collector requesting relief funds.

With the already dwindling interest in Tamil folk music amid the public, the folk music artists have been in a quandary for a long time now. Veteran artists feel that since many of their progenies have changed professions, folk music might cease to exist soon. Despite this grim situation, there are still quite a few musicians who depend on the profession for their livelihood.

Ever since the COVID-19 lockdown was instituted, annual and monthly temple festivals, the major sources of income for the folk artists have been cancelled. This has led to the loss of livelihood of many. Artists who play instruments such as harmonium, mridangam, tabla, flute, nadhaswaram, keyboard, etc, stage artists, oyilattam dancers, orchestras and bhajan groups have been left in the lurch.

With as many as 500 artists seeking alternative jobs to sustain themselves due to the paucity of marriage events, cultural programmes, temple festivals etc, more than 2,000 artists have been overall affected.

Musician Sekhar lamented, "Before the pandemic, we could make Rs.12,000 to Rs.15,000 a month. However, now we just depend on the free ration supplies that are being provided by the government. Contractors who used to book shows for us have deserted us. Therefore, we are dependent entirely on the government for our lives."

Artists who delight people with their talents have been left lamenting the loss of their livelihood due to the pandemic. The collective opinion and request of the masses is that the government should provide a special relief fund to them and revive their lives.