Artistes welcome state pension move, call for Sangeet Akademi

Folk and theatre artistes from Haryana have welcomed the state government’s decision to grant a pension to veteran artistes who have completed at least 20 years in performing and visual arts and have now attained the age of 60.

“Haryana has become the first state in the country to grant pension as a mark of respect to those artistes who have devoted their lives to the promotion of art and culture,” said Vishav Deepak Trikha, former Deputy Director-cum-Incharge of Haryana Kala Parishad Multi-Art Cultural Centre, Kurukshetra.

Trikha, a veteran theatre artiste and founder member of the Haryana Kalakar Welfare Association, has urged the state government not to link the pension to the artiste’s income.

He also called upon the Chief Minister to convert the Haryana Kala Parishad into a Sangeet Natak Akademi and establish a theatre repertory in the state.

Trikha further demanded that state awards in the field of art and culture be instituted, and that all open-air theatres across the state be handed over to the Cultural Department of Haryana.

Pradeep Bahmani, president of the Haryana Lok Kalakar Sangathan, said the newly announced pension scheme would uplift the morale of folk artistes by offering them the much-needed financial support.

Bahmani also requested CM Nayab Singh Saini to ensure that folk artistes are included in the pension committee.

Shishpal Singh Chauhan, state president of the Haryana Lok Kalakar Union and national vice-president of the Bhartiya Lok Kala Mahasangh, stated that the folk artistes of Haryana are deeply thankful to the government for this support.

“Especially the elderly artistes who have attained the age of 60 years and are no longer able to earn through their performances are highly indebted to the Haryana government,” he said.

Folk artiste Naresh Kumar Kundu, secretary of the Haryana Lok Kalakar Sangathan, remarked that the current regime had taken a decision that previous governments had long ignored.

“CM Nayab Singh Saini and his entire team deserve kudos for the commendable welfare initiative taken in the larger interest of the state’s artistes,” he added.

Haryana Tribune