New welfare schemes for artistes: Akademi chairman: India

Sangeetha Nataka Akademi chairman Soorya Krishnamoorthy speaking at a press meet at the Akademi yesterday.
SOORYA Krishnamoorthy, the newly appointed chairman of Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, has announced several programmes for artistes. Asserting that “the artiste is the VIP of the Akademi”, he said measures are being taken to change the entire functioning of Akademi. 

The chairman said steps are already being taken to implement an insurance scheme for the drama artistes in the state. Around 1,000 artistes will be given insurance coverage under the scheme. Artistes, who have been injured in accidents, will be entitled to up to Rs 1lakh. Special cards are distributed to artistes that can be used to access activities at other related cultural institutions. Murthy also promised an ‘Onam Kit’ of Rs 1,000 for all artistes during next Onam.

The activities of the Akademi, currently planned from Thrissur, will be decentralized, in order to bring more transparency, by setting up offices at Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kannur. The Akademi aims to penetrate deeper into the cultural map of Kerala by making art clubs in villages more active. The state professional drama competition organised by the Akademi as one event will be split into three and separating the amateur and professional categories. The state competition will have nine plays selected from the three zones. The state professional drama competition will be held at Thrissur Akademi Theatre. A subsidy of Rs 100,000 will be given to each play. The best playwright and the best director shall be given opportunity to watch the international drama festival held in Delhi every year at the expense of the Akademi.
Krishnamoorthy also said he would recommend that the government found awards for artistes in Kerala, in the lines of ‘Kalaimamani’ given by the Tamil Nadu government and the ‘Karnatakashri’. Artiste Sujathan, famous backdrop artiste for dramas, is being nominated for Padma Shri, he said and added that folk art forms would be given thrust.

source: http://www.CitiJournal.in /

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