Mysore/Mysuru: The members of Karnataka Samskrutika Mattu Vadyagoshti Kalavidara Okkuta staged a protest in front of Kalamandira here on Wednesday demanding the State Government to permit hosting of cultural programmes along with COVID guidelines. 

The protesting artistes said that their livelihood was dependent on stage programmes and since COVID restrictions, no events were allowed and they were put into severe hardship.

Stating that the COVID relief package announced by the State Government did not reach everyone, the protesters demanded to announce a special package for artistes apart from granting permission to host entertainment programmes.

Artistes Ravi, Santhosh, Shreekanta, Rajabudhi and others led the protest.