Rajasthan: CM's financial scheme leaves out folk artistes who perform in groups

JAIPUR: The state's art and culture department , which launched the Mukhya Mantri Lok Kalakar Protsahan Yojana to provide financial support of Rs 2,500 to folk artistes during Covid crisis, has ignored those who perform in groups. However, in Rajasthan, tribal folk artistes are involved in group performances and come in close contacts during the shows.

The eligibility criteria states that those performing folk art, playing folk instruments, solo dance performance and solo folk singing can apply for the scheme. The criteria for applying further suggest that one must have an email to send a 15 to 20-minute video to cmfolkartdoac@gmail.com after recording his/her performance. It also states at the time of recording, they must maintain social distancing and not more than one person (as far as possible) should be included in that performance.

But most of the artistes living in rural areas, whether solo or group performers, don't have the resources or email id to send a video. So far, money has been transferred to 200 folk artistes and over 350 have been selected, said an official, adding that the selection of videos is done by an evaluation committee formed by the nodal agency of the scheme Ravindra Rang Manch.

A folk artiste from Dungarpur , Joranath Kalbeliya , who specialises in sadabahar lahera folk art, in which at least 20 are involved said, "We are now engaged in MGNREGA work. We have been told that as per the government's scheme, solo performances should be recorded in the video, so tell us how we will be able to do it? "The scheme is an insult to us. I am not educated. How will I create a video?" said Sugna Ram Bhopa, a folk artiste from Jodhpur who specialises in storytelling.

Manager of Ravindra Rang Manch, Shipra Sharma , said, "As per the rule, it was required to maintain social distancing while making these videos. If they are performing maintaining one-metre distance and wearing masks, then we have even considered a group of 2-3 people. We have so far received more than 1,500 emails. Of these, around 750 had attached videos properly."

Asked about those who are traditionally performing in groups and come in close contact while performing, she said, "We have received such videos where they maintained social distancing and we have given them remuneration. But, so far we haven't received any video where they can't perform without coming in close contact. If we receive, then we will take a look at it," she added.

Among art forms where group performances are involved include portrayal of different wildlife figures by Sahariya tribes and Lahera folk art performed by Kalbeliya community , where 20 people are involved. There are about 5,000-6,000 tribal and nomadic folk artistes in Rajasthan.