Date:19/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/19/stories/2008111951770300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Srikakulam

Pension distributed to artistes

Staff Reporter

Photo: Basheer

Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao distributing pension to artistes in Srikakulam on Tuesday. —

Srikakulam: They brought smiles on our faces by their fabulous performances. “Now, it is payback time. In the evening of their lives, it is our turn to light up their faces,” said Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao.

Participating as chief guest at a special meeting organised by the departments of Information and Public Relations and Cultural Affairs here for disbursal of pensions to aged cultural artistes on Tuesday, Mr. Prasada Rao lauded the contribution of the rural artistes in promoting arts despite an uncertain future. There were times when their family members ridiculed them for sticking to promotion of art and culture, which could not provide them even two square meals a day. Their lives were gloomy even as they desperately tried to revive the dying art forms.

“Devoid of patronage by successive governments, the artistes lived in despair,” the Minister said, adding that it was Rajasekhara Reddy, then Leader of the Opposition, who, during his marathon padayatra, promised to dispel darkness in their lives.

As part of redeeming the promise, Mr. Prasada Rao said that Rs.500 monthly pension had been fixed for the artistes.

The Minister distributed the pension amount to 426 artistes on the occasion. He said those who could not be accommodated in the first phase would be considered when the party regains power in the next elections.

Pat for official

He commended District Public Relations Officer (DPRO) Ramesh for handling an Herculean task of identifying the cultural artistes without giving scope to controversies.

Mr. Ramesh said that in the past only 130 artistes got monthly pension but the present government had increased the same to 426, the highest any district was sanctioned in the State. He said that in the entire State some 10,000 artistes had been sanctioned pension.

Rangasthala Kalakarula Samaikya president Bhavani Sankar urged the Minister to consider pensions to the remaining 200 artistes in the district and also allot a piece of land for the samaikya office in the town.

ZP chairman P. Rajasekhar, Municipal chairperson M.V. Padmavathi, Narasannapeta MLA Dharmana Krishna Prasad and SETSRI CEO Surangi Mohana Rao were among those who participated.