Mysore/Mysuru:  Even as successive Governments have been saying that they are  committed to  promotion of literature,  arts and patronisation of artistes, senior artistes, who are entitled for a monthly pension of Rs.2,000, are facing hurdles in getting it.

In Mysuru, there are 333  writers and artistes representing various forms of arts such as Music, Dance, Theatre, Folklore, Yakshagana, Fine Arts, Sculpture etc., who are getting a monthly pension of Rs. 2,000. The pension earlier was Rs. 1,500, which was later hiked to Rs. 2,000 in Dec.2019. However, the artistes say that this pension is too little.

Artistes, who have engaged themselves in different forms of arts for at least 25 years and made a mark, can apply for pension after completion of 58 years of age. Also, the artistes seeking pension have to submit their income certificate and the annual income ceiling is fixed at Rs. 40,000 in rural areas and Rs.50,000 in urban areas.

However, there is relaxation for physically challenged artistes, according to which the eligible artistes can apply for pension if they are aged over 40 years and engaged in arts for 20 years. But the pension seeker artistes are facing a lot of hurdles as too many documents have to be submitted as proof of their age, annual income, achievements etc., for processing.

In Mysuru, as many as 17,000 artistes have applied for pension and all of them are awaiting sanction, hoping that their application will be accepted.

Renowned folklore artiste Malavalli Mahadevaswamy said that a representation was made more than 5 years ago to the then Kannada and Culture Minister Umashri, seeking a monthly pension of Rs.5,000. But this demand has not been accepted so far. Though the guidelines issued by the Government for getting pension is alright, the pension has not been sanctioned to many of those who have met the Government’s eligibility rules, he said adding that the Government should waste no time in addressing the concerns of artistes.

Meanwhile, Kannada and Culture Assistant Director Dr. M.D. Sudarshan said that eligible artistes can apply for pension anytime and there is no deadline for it. However, the applications must meet the Government guidelines. The Department has been receiving many requests seeking a hike in pension, he said adding that however, it is left to the Government to decide on the hike.