Mysore/Mysuru: With the Government deciding to conduct Dasara in a simple manner this year on account of the outbreak of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, the Mysuru City and District Cultural and Professional Artistes’ Association has appealed the Government to hold Dasara cultural events this year too and come to the aid of artistes.

Addressing a press meet here recently, Association General Secretary M. Puttaswamy said that artistes were facing  severe crisis due to Corona pandemic, with virtually no cultural events held for over six months. In such a distressing situation, the Government should come to their help by holding Dasara cultural events as before, while giving prominence to local artistes.

Pointing out that the authorities must give preference only to local and native artistes for the cultural programmes to take place in the Palace premises, Puttaswamy wanted the Government to hold Dasara cultural  programmes at other venues such as Kalamandira, Jaganmohan Palace, Dufferin Clock Tower, Town Hall, Ganabharathi and Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha and thus come to the rescue of artistes who are in deep financial crisis, with no earnings for months.

He warned that artistes will be forced to stage a protest if their demands are not met.

Association office-bearers were present at the press meet.