When the state forgot their stage artists

TNN | Apr 4, 2020, 04:10 IST

Thiruvananthapuram: In a unique protest against negligence towards the welfare of stage artistes, Samraj, a noted magician from Kerala, staged a single act magic performance in front of his house on Friday.
Samraj, through his symbolic performance before empty chairs, depicted ‘the lost stages during the festival season, and life of artistes which has turned hollow’, owing to the lockdown in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.
“Though other businesses hit by floods, cyclone Ockhi and outbreaks like Nipah and Covid-19 have the opportunity to overcome the crisis and restore their livelihoods, the stage artistes continue to suffer with lost opportunities and absence of any relief packages from the government,” he said.
“The state government, which initiates several welfare measures for guest workers and even for street dogs and monkeys living on temple premises, should also consider the predicament of stage artistes who have been hit hard by the calamities over the past couple of years,” Samraj, who lives in Mavelikkara, said.
“The festival season would have already got over by the time the lockdown is withdrawn. The stage artistes will not be able to seek other jobs as they will have to make preparations for the next season,” Samraj said. Apart from the stage artistes, others who earn their living from allied activities, which are seasonal, have also been forced to confront a miserable future, he added.
Stage artists of various genres, including theatre, ballet, orchestra, magic, folk songs, mimics, kathaprasangam and ottanthullal, booking agents, light and sound system workers and panthal workers all have been hit by the series of calamities. “The state government and society should come forward to support these people who are trying to spread happiness in society,” Samraj said.