Dasara artistes demand hike in honorarium

Mysuru: The Akhila Karnataka Janapada Kalavidara Okkuta has urged the Government to hike the honorarium being  paid to folk artistes taking part in Jumboo Savari and to provide better housing and  food  apart from  payment of  travel expenses.

Addressing a press meet here yesterday, Okkuta State President Dr. Jogila Siddaraju said the Okkuta has been consistently appealing Governments since 2008 to meet the demands of folklore artistes taking part in Jumboo Savari. But the demands have not yet been met for years, he regretted.

Pointing out that more than 15 folklore artistes from across the State arrive in Mysuru for Dasara in rented vehicles, Siddaraju alleged that the artistes are not being provided proper lodging and boarding facilities during their stay in Mysuru.

He urged the authorities to pay the artistes a total of Rs.15,000 (Rs. 5,000 per day for three days) and  travel expenses. He also demanded selection of at least 50 artistes from every district while giving  due recognition for art forms of all the 31 districts of the State.

Senior folk artiste G. Gururaj was present at the press meet.