Culture: Sindh to give artists up to Rs30,000 in stipends
The lion’s share goes to singers at Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai’s shrine.
HYDERABAD:
The Sindh Culture Department has started distributing financial assistance to artists, writers, musicians and singers of the province. A total of Rs11.33 million has been set aside. In order for the artists to be eligible they have to be either 40 years or older or suffering from a severe illness or physical disability.
Each artist will receive between Rs24,000 and Rs30,000 per annum. Artists in dire need of financial assistance will receive between Rs50,000 and Rs100,000 per year.
Around 22 artists will be paid the higher amount this year, including notables such as Zeenat Shaikh, Anwar Vistro, Qamrunnissa Hakro and Sajjan Faqir.
Like previous years, the lion’s share of the assistance is reserved for the singers at Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai’s shrine, locally known as ragees. Up to 100 of them will be receiving money from the Sindh government.
However, not all of them are happy with the money that they will be provided. One of the ragees, now well into his 60s, muttered unhappily that Rs2,000 a month is not enough for him to survive. He appreciated the government’s work but said that a lot more needed to be done before the government could claim that it was taking serious steps for the promotion of the arts.
There are more than 100 ragees at the shrine throughout the day and night. Each group consists of five to seven singers who get a chance to perform only twice a week. Their income consists of the stipend that they receive from the government and the money offered by devotees who watch them perform at the shrine.
Culture Director Dr Ayub Jamali acknowledges that the amount is not enough for someone to meet their monthly expenses, but he said that his department was trying to increase the sum every year. “Last year we paid a minimum of Rs18,000 in stipends, with the total number of artists helped being 410,” he said. “This year we are helping 490 artists with a minimum of Rs24,000 as the stipend. Additionally, if an artist passes away, their family continues to receive the payment.” Artists living in Karachi have already received their stipend, while another 350 artists across the province shall be either mailed cheques or will pick them up in person.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 5th, 2011.
The Sindh Culture Department has started distributing financial assistance to artists, writers, musicians and singers of the province. A total of Rs11.33 million has been set aside. In order for the artists to be eligible they have to be either 40 years or older or suffering from a severe illness or physical disability.
Each artist will receive between Rs24,000 and Rs30,000 per annum. Artists in dire need of financial assistance will receive between Rs50,000 and Rs100,000 per year.
Around 22 artists will be paid the higher amount this year, including notables such as Zeenat Shaikh, Anwar Vistro, Qamrunnissa Hakro and Sajjan Faqir.
Like previous years, the lion’s share of the assistance is reserved for the singers at Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai’s shrine, locally known as ragees. Up to 100 of them will be receiving money from the Sindh government.
However, not all of them are happy with the money that they will be provided. One of the ragees, now well into his 60s, muttered unhappily that Rs2,000 a month is not enough for him to survive. He appreciated the government’s work but said that a lot more needed to be done before the government could claim that it was taking serious steps for the promotion of the arts.
There are more than 100 ragees at the shrine throughout the day and night. Each group consists of five to seven singers who get a chance to perform only twice a week. Their income consists of the stipend that they receive from the government and the money offered by devotees who watch them perform at the shrine.
Culture Director Dr Ayub Jamali acknowledges that the amount is not enough for someone to meet their monthly expenses, but he said that his department was trying to increase the sum every year. “Last year we paid a minimum of Rs18,000 in stipends, with the total number of artists helped being 410,” he said. “This year we are helping 490 artists with a minimum of Rs24,000 as the stipend. Additionally, if an artist passes away, their family continues to receive the payment.” Artists living in Karachi have already received their stipend, while another 350 artists across the province shall be either mailed cheques or will pick them up in person.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 5th, 2011.