HYDERABAD:
A group of displeased folk artists from all over Sindh have demanded an end to what they say is discrimination when it comes to granting them funds or time on air.
They sang out their complaints to the government to the tune of the harmonium and the tabla on Monday. They want representation on the committees which supervise the donation of financial aid and stipends.
The melodious protest highlighted the alleged partnership of the Sindh Culture Department with Radio Pakistan, Hyderabad. “Nepotism, not merit, is considered while doling out legend funds, endowment funds, annual stipends and recordings at Radio Pakistan, Hyderabad,” said Ustaad Ameer Ali, a vocalist who led the protesters.
The president of Sindh Raagi Welfare Association, Ali, has been singing since 1978 and has seven albums under his belt. “I am not campaigning for myself but for those singers and musicians who have been utterly neglected by the government. Despite their talent, they do not have jobs, moreover, they are not offered programmes by Radio Pakistan Hyderabad,” said Ali, who also teaches at Sindh University’s Centre for Music Education in addition to running private classes.
“A number of artists who I represent are on the panel of Radio Pakistan, Hyderabad. Our charge against the organisation is that it doesn’t follow any schedule of assigning programmes to the artists. It simply picks and choose their favourites,” added Ali.
Heirs of eminent musicians such as Ghulam Nabi Abdul Lateef, Ghulam Ali and Dildar Hussein, were also present. They sung about the problems that widows and children of famous artists face. The Express Tribune was told that the majority their families do not receive the annual stipend from the Sindh Culture Department even though they qualify.
Ustaad Muhammad Aslam Khan, a tabla player, claimed that the committees which oversee the endowment and legend funds do not have any artist representation. “Consequently, they fail to verify the claims of the artists who apply for these funds,” said Khan. He believes that the issue can be resolved if the artists are given representation on the committees.
The director of Radio Pakistan Hyderabad, Naseer Mirza, told The Express Tribune that they have limited resources within which they try to accommodate as many artists as possible. “We have a monthly budget of Rs550,000 for new recordings, this includes theatre and other performances besides music and singing,” said Mirza. “Radio Pakistan, Hyderabad has 400 musicians and singers on its panel. With our financial resources it is not possible to record more than three to five new items per day. Therefore, these artists have to wait for months between performances,” explained Mirza.
At Radio Pakistan, the vocalists and instrumentalists are divided into separate categories. According to these categories, they are paid each time their item is performed. A category ‘AA’ vocalist is paid Rs900 per item while an instrumentalist of the same group gets Rs700 per item. Remuneration for A and B classifications range between Rs500 to Rs400 per item.
Mirza, who is a member of the endowment fund committee, refuted the discrimination allegations. He explained that, “the fund is a new concept which was established in May. It has deposited Rs15 million in a bank and the endowments are paid through quarterly profits derived from the fixed account.”
Meanwhile, the Sindh Culture Department has distributed a monthly stipend of Rs24,000 to 430 artists and their families in the outgoing financial year. Director Manzoor Kanasro says that they are gradually increasing the number of recipients along with the amount of money. “The stipend is only given to artists of 45 years or above, and their health is also considered,” said Kanasro.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 19th, 2011.
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