Pune: With traditional folk artists facing severe financial distress, there has been a strong demand for the formation of an Economic Development Corporation to support their livelihoods. The Cultural Wing of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has formally appealed to the Maharashtra government to take immediate action in this regard.
Baba Patil, State President of NCP’s Cultural Wing, has submitted a letter to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Cultural Minister, urging the government to establish a corporation with an initial financial allocation of ₹100 crore. Additionally, it has been proposed that the corporation be named after renowned folk artist Vitabai Narayangaonkar.
Folk Artists Struggle for Livelihood
Maharashtra has a rich tradition of folk arts, including:
Tamasha
Lavani
Sangeet Bari
Vasudev
Potraj
Jagran-Gondhal
Songadya
Bahurupi
Shahiri
Dashavatar
For generations, thousands of artists have relied solely on these art forms for their survival. However, the declining number of performances in recent years has severely impacted their income. Many folk artists struggle to meet basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter, highlighting the urgent necessity for government intervention.
According to Baba Patil, the Maharashtra government has previously established Economic Development Corporations for various castes and communities, but no such initiative has been taken for folk artists. He emphasized the need for immediate action, stating:
"Despite Maharashtra having a significant number of folk artists, no Economic Development Corporation exists for them. This is a serious issue. The government must step in and allocate ₹100 crore to support folk artists and preserve our cultural heritage."
Support from the Folk Artist Community
The demand has received strong support from the folk artist community. Mangala Bansode, daughter of Vitabai Narayangaonkar and a Tamasha troupe owner, stressed the urgency of the matter:
"The demand for an Economic Development Corporation for folk artists is both necessary and justified. The government should approve it without delay to provide much-needed financial relief to Maharashtra's folk artists."