Date:16/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/16/stories/2008121651940300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Sponsorships are not on high note, yet no negative impact

Sruthi Krishnan

CHENNAI: With the economy plummeting to a low note, sponsorships for the music season have also taken a hit. The sabhas say that though the money available on the whole is lesser than last year, the impact is cushioned by their enduring supporters.

“Some of the sponsors, who were involved for the past two years, have not come forward this year. The banking sector is not forthcoming like before,” says a spokesperson of Sri Krishna Gana Sabha. He adds, “As we have a personal long-standing relationship with our sponsors, we don’t have a problem. We have retained all major sponsors.”

P.S. Padmanabhan, joint secretary, Mylapore Fine Arts Club, concurs. “Sponsorships are 30 to 40 per cent lesser than last year,” he says.

Banners of banking

The banners of the banking industry which are like a permanent fixture in the sabha halls are a testimony to the lasting relationship. “We have been sponsoring the season for more than 10 years,” says an official of the State Bank of India.

The spokesperson of Sri Krishna Gana Sabha says that the sum each sponsor gives varies between Rs.50,000 and Rs. 2 lakh, which goes towards remuneration of artistes, their hospitality, maintenance of the auditorium and publicity. As Sri Krishna Gana Sabha has its own auditorium, rentals costs are avoided. N. Balasubramanian, secretary, Brahma Gana Sabha, says that the total expenditure a day can go up to Rs.70,000 depending on the number of concerts and the seniority of artistes.