Mysore/Mysuru: State Kannada Janapada Parishath President S. Balaji has appealed the Karnataka Government to increase the monthly pension of folk artistes in the State and keep them at par with the pension of folk artistes of neighbouring Telangana State.

He made this appeal while speaking at a function to felicitate District Rajyotsava Awardee Kyathanahalli Prakash organised by University of Mysore (UoM) Researchers Association, Karnataka State Researchers Association, District Unit of Rajya Kannada Janapada Parishat, at EMMRC auditorium in Manasagangothri on Sunday. Many folk artistes were conferred with Jilla Janapada Prapancha and Yuva Janapada Prapancha awards at the function.

“State Government must set up Moodalapaya Yakshagana Academy and increase the monthly pension being given to the artistes. The present pension of Rs. 2,000 is very inadequate and not enough to meet even our medical expenses. There is a proposal to increase it to Rs. 3,000. But if it is increased to Rs. 5,000 it will help folk artistes to lead their life,” said Balaji and regretted that the Government has neglected local artistes during the recently held Dasara celebrations and  concluded by saying a State-level  folk artistes conference is likely to be held in Mysuru shortly.

Senior journalist Amshi Prasannakumar, who spoke at the function, said folk is root of all arts and literature. The work of identifying and honouring rural folk artistes is not happening at Government-level to the desired extent. But, Balaji and Kyathanahalli Prakash are doing this work through Kannada Janapada Parishat. Despite no grants from the Government, they have provided platforms to hundreds of folk artistes,” he added.

UoM Prasaranga Director Prof. Nanjaiah said that academies which are under the Government have become defunct. But State Kannada Janapada Parishat is engaged in recognising and encouraging neglected artistes. He also suggested that private television channels must organise exclusive folk reality shows and the Government to appoint Kyathanahalli Prakash as the President of Janapada Academy.

At the function, Jilla Janapada Awards were presented to  Thimmashetty, Biligiramma, Nagaraju, Revamma, Shivabuddhi, Mani, K. Ravichandra, Chikkathayamma and Jilla Yuva Janapada Awards were presented to Kamala Rajesh, Sumanth Vahishta, Veena Sharada, Mahadeva, Anagatti Devaraj, Mahesh, B.S. Ajaikumar and Naganayaka.

Former District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Prof. N. Girigowda, Director of College Education Dr. Appajigowda, Assistant Controller of Department of Weights and Measures M.S. Kumar, State Researchers Association President S. Maridevaiah, UoM Researchers Association President C. Mahesh and others were present.