| Art and music have always been the leit motif of Indian culture. Those who dedicate their entire lifetimes pursuing this passion, are venerated with an intensity bordering on worship. The dedication, the selfless devotion and the unwavering pursuit of perfection is a constant source of wonder and amazement to anyone who has the slightest regard for classical arts. As time passes, the artistes also move away from centre-stage, making way for younger talent. The torch is passed on to the next generation.
But it sometimes appears that darkness descends on the senior artistes. In a lifetime dedicated to bringing beauty to other lives, they chose to nurture their art at the expense of themselves and their families. The present looms in front, barren and lonely.
Surely we, whose lives have been so unalterably touched by their Kala, have a duty to see that their lives do not pass in uncaring want. Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts & Sangeetha Sabha has started a scheme to provide financial support to artistes, who longer perform on a professional basis.
It is a small gesture to tell them that the divine beauty of their art lives in our hearts. Shanmukhananda Vayovruddha Kalakara Masika Artha Sahaya Yojana commenced on 15th September 2003 with an initial corpus fund of Rs. 20 lakhs, raised from patrons of Fine Arts. |
