Musicians and artistes are constantly in the limelight in their prime. However, it is when they are old or sick that there is hardly any support.
There have been a few initiatives to help artistes in distress and the latest is one by Hindustani vocalist Parameshwar Hegde’s Musing Succour. On June 6, renowned Mohan Veena exponent and Grammy Awardee Vishwamohan Bhatt, accompanied by son Salil Bhatt on the Satvik veena, will present a fund-raiser concert.
Funds from the event will go towards helping ailing theatre, music and TV artiste Malathi Saroj.
Other initiatives
Musing Succour is the latest in a string of private initiative to help ailing artistes. Ananya Cultural Academy, for example, started Ananya Arogyadhara, a medical scheme, way back in 2001. It has helped nearly 120 musicians across all ages for treatment over the last 15 years.
“In 2001, octogenarian Mysore vocalist Nilamma Kadambi badly needed financial assistance. That is when we flagged off Ananya Arogyadhara. Noted writer U.R. Ananthamurthy, who was a part of Ananya, was part of the initiative,” recalls R.V. Raghavendra, the founder of Ananya, which is celebrating its 20-year-run in the city.
The scheme has 40 doctors on its panel and selects artistes depending on their support system.
While funds trickle in from connoisseurs and philanthropists, several large-hearted musicians, including Anoor Ananthakrishna Sharma, participate in free concerts. “We have supported senior musicians and critics to the tune of Rs 20 lakhs. They include Sarangi player Faiyaz Khan, and musicologists Ananda Ram Udupa and B.V.K. Shastry,” says Mr. Raghavendra.
