Bringing to the fore the harsh reality and the plight of artists in our country, Trinamool Congress MP, Arpita Ghosh made a fervent plea in the Parliament recently.

Over the years the condition has only worsened, and it has become quite evident that the government is not paying much heed to the diminishing state of the artists. Talk about promotion or pay; nothing is apparently working in their favor.

Arpita who has been there done that made a plea to bring to light the government’s attitude towards art and culture. She represents the Balurghat constituency from Bengal and is a theater actor and director. Her major concern in her speech was that under the Ministry of Culture’s Performance Arts Grants scheme, an artist is paid only Rs 6,000 per month.

“Government of India ke Ministry of Culture artists ko Rs 6,000 har mahina aur guru ko Rs 10,000 har mahina tankhwa deti hain. Yahaan pe Labour Minister baithe hain; unko pata hain ek worker ko har mahine Rs 10,000 milta hain aur hum to artist log hain (The Minsitry of Culture gives artists and their gurus Rs 6,000 and Rs 10,000 salary per month, respectively. The Labour Minister is here; he knows that even a daily worker gets Rs 10,000 a month),” said Ghosh.

In a recent interview, she said, “How are we expected to survive with such a meager salary? It is not even enough to cover the barest minimum.”

As a part of the “Performing Arts Grants Scheme,” financial assistance is provided to theater groups, dramatic groups, musical associations, children theater and all genres of performing arts activities. To seek assistance for a Guru or Director, the rate is Rs 10,000 per month, whereas, in the case of an artist, the amount is fixed at Rs 6,000 per month.

Under this scheme, artists are recommended by an Expert Committee which is approved by the Ministry.

According to Ghosh, there are over 50,000 artists who are registered under the scheme and are suffering. “They have been selected to promote and preserve different theater cultures of India. They dedicate their life to this. And this is how they are repaid. They haven’t received their salaries since 2015. Ever since the BJP government has come into power, they have introduced many other formalities and paperwork too. Are artists supposed to spend all their time doing paperwork and running from one office to another to get their salary now?” asks Ghosh.

Contributing to the raised concern, Debesh Chattopadhyay, who manages a theater group in Kolkata mentioned that many of his troupe members are gradually shifting to television to make their ends meet. “First of all, the salary is too little. Moreover, we can’t even depend on it anymore. Many of my actors are now doubling up as junior artists in television serials. The grant is meant to promote arts. How is this promoting theater in any way?” asks Chattopadhyay.