Performing artists step out in ones and twos

Ranchi/Dhanbad: After bearing the brunt of lockdown for nearly three months, performing artists of Jharkhand are stepping outdoors in ones and twos to continue their work.
Sourav Suman, a 26-year-old MTech student at BIT Sindri, runs a YouTube channel named Akki Rap King. On Sunday, Suman released a 3.18 minute long rap on Wasseypur in Dhanbad. Suman shot the video of his song across Maithon, Wasseypur, Bhatinda Fall, Dhanbad railway station and other parts of the district between May and June.
“Though we planned the shooting of the song during the beginning of the year itself our plan had to be deferred owing to the coronavirus-induced lockdown. We could finally shoot the song once the Unlock came into force. We took all the precautions before commencing our shoot, although we couldn’t get permission at some of the sites for shooting,” said Suman.
Nitesh Kacchap, one of the popular Nagpuri singers on YouTube, released his new song Macchardani Lagai Le on the YouTube channel, Ayush Films Nagpuri, two weeks ago. Shot during lockdown, the music video has already fetched over 1.5 million views.
According to Jharkhand’s musicians across Nagpuri, Khorta and Santhali languages, YouTube has emerged the mainstay of their revenue. To keep their viewers engaged, over 300 songs are released annually across the three languages.
Raman Gupta, a Ranchi-based actor of popular Nagpuri song ‘Mor 18 Sal Hoi Gelak Re’, rued about the plight of the state’s performing artists. “In between March and May, there was no work at all. July onwards, work began after seeking permission from the local authorities. But now, apprehending transmission, we are not being given permission for shooting outdoors,” Gupta told TOI.
Artists like Gupta eke out their living by appearing in local music videos. “After sitting idle for nearly three months, I finally earned a few bucks last month,” Gupta said.
Veteran folk artist Mukund Nayak said the state government must provide aide to the performing artists. “There are about 5,000 such performing artists, including traditional folk groups and contemporary artists, who are sitting at home without work. During the lockdown, I had written to Union tribal affairs minister Arjun Munda and chief minister Hemant Soren, urging them to arrange for financial aide. I had written to the state department of arts and culture as well. But nothing has moved in this direction,” Nayak told TOI.