Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree has promised to address the problem in disbursing pension to artistes in the cultural policy to be unveiled soon.
She was speaking after inaugurating a programme organised by the Department of Kannada and Culture to mark World Folklore Day at Nayana Auditorium here on Thursday.
She conceded that there were problems in disbursement of pension to artistes in crisis.
“I have discussed the issue with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He has agreed to release funds to pay pension to artistes, but the funds are being withheld for technical reasons”, she added.
Culture in motion
Describing folklore as the “culture in motion”, writer Baraguru Ramachandrappa said that folk traditions have become victims of caste and class politics, and it is the responsibility of the pro-people government to patronise those involved in preserving and promoting folk culture.
He argued that government need not earmark separate funds to folklore artistes in crisis.
“What can be done is to draw funds from various social welfare programmes to safeguard interests of representatives of culture, which is threatened by globalisation”, he opined.
Folk artiste Daroji Eeramma, who popularised Burrakatha form of folk art, was present.
