Should artists also follow VRS !

[jodha]

The much famous VRS ( Voluntary Retirement Scheme) that allows people to retire from the services before their actual retiring age.But in music this may be slightly different.Here the retirement is based not on age but the age up to which you can stick to your elements.

What prompted me to open this thread is the review in today's Hindu about the concert of TNS @ KGS.I am no one to suggest retirement for any artist.That is why the topic VRS which means the retiremnt should be voluntary which will add grace to the performers.This holds good in sports also.Is not cricketers annoumcing their retiremnt before getting kicked out ?

The sabhas may still come to book an artist in spite of the artist's poor form.But the artist should be gracious enough to denounce the offers citing his form.Can this happen ? I know I am fantasizing.But I also want to know whether any artist (s) done this before !

[srkris]

But the artist should be gracious enough to denounce the offers citing his form.

Denounce or renounce?

I don't think form is lost permanently (if at all) for carnatic musicians... even if such a thing happens, it takes years or even decades for the audiences to come to that conclusion that an vocalist has definitely had permanent fall from their peak.

[VK RAMAN]

VRS? - our singers come into the field on their own volition and efforts and who are we to talk about VRS.

[rajeshnat]

But I also want to know whether any artist (s) done this before !

I came to know thru one of the posts long time before where some one said vidwan Musiri Subramania Iyer did take a very early retirement. Infact some believed he had more music to offer even after he stopped performing concerts. If I am wrong some one can correct me

[hnbhagavan]

Dear Rasikas,

It is unfortunate that people are seeing only the listening pleasure point.In other fields VRS is accompanied by hefty packages.Where is such a package for a
performing artist - that too for carnatic musician.He does not in earn in crores as play back singers earn even in his hey days.It is possible for a musician to have a bad day which should not draw uncharitable remarks.Carnatic music lovers are known for expecting each concert free of cost.Some how sponsorship by dedicated organisations is the saving grace.
We should leave it to the musician himself to decide his retirement.

[kamavardhani]

Opinionated 'experts' should be the ones taking VRS... such as the OP and the Hindu reviewer SVK. Voice cooperates or not, every TNS concert is a learning experience and a tiny window into his enormous vidwat. He has nothing left to prove to anyone anymore; a once-in-a-generation genius, period.

[arasi]

"Every TNS concert is a learning experience and is a tiny window to his enormous vidvat."
Well said!

[Nick H]

Dear Rasikas,

It is unfortunate that people are seeing only the listening pleasure point.In other fields VRS is accompanied by hefty packages.Where is such a package for a
performing artist - that too for carnatic musician.He does not in earn in crores as play back singers earn even in his hey days.It is possible for a musician to have a bad day which should not draw uncharitable remarks.Carnatic music lovers are known for expecting each concert free of cost.Some how sponsorship by dedicated organisations is the saving grace.
We should leave it to the musician himself to decide his retirement.

Oh yes, very good point indeed! If anyone wants to retire an artist, let them provide the retirement package.

By the way, I think they are "hay days," ie the warm sunny days during which one makes and gathers in the hay.

We should remember that no one forces us to listen to any artist.

[arasi]

Exactly, Nick.
Even if anyone you think is fit for retirement starts singing on the radio/tv in your own home, you can change the channel!

[hnbhagavan]

Dear Rasikas,

Our grateful thanks to our community of Rasikas in USA,Canada,UK and other countries which have the practice of inviting musicians from India.Nowadays this will form a major chunk in the earnings of our musicians
and also help in domestic concerts where the musicians can perform at lower remunerations.The number of musicians touring USA is a good number - likes of Sanjay,M S Sheela,Lalgudi Siblings,Vijaya siva,Bombay Jayashree etc.
Thanks to the efforts of great Rasikas and learned men like VKV,MKR,Maha vishnu etc who are spearheading the cause of our music in USA.A number of music groups across the world are also involved.One cannot forget the contribution of Trichy Sankaran for supportive role played in the patronization of our music abroad.
The concerts in December season at Chennai are the stepping stones for success else where.The Bangalore organisations have als contributed significantly.Corporate giants Infosys,Deccan airways etc have also helped in this cause.There are several Sponsors - like banks,Restaurant chains(Mayyas for ex),Ganjam and many small industries chip in time to time to hold music programs.One such venture is the Ramanavami festival held at Fort High School grounds.The Shanmukanada Sabha at Mumbai
has contributed significantly.SPIC MACAY is doing excellent job to promote our music among youth.
I wish to recall all the great efforts in preserving our heritage.
Thus the earnings of our musicians should have improved vastly these days as compared to yester years.
The book - AN INCURABLE ROMANTIC highlights the efforts of VKV,Lalgudi sir,Ramani sir etc in establishing organisations abroad to promote music.

[VK RAMAN]

It is a good news that we in India are happy about Indian artists coming to overseas and perform but that should not be a gauge for expecting a reduced fee for performance in India. Moreover it is also the responsibility of all Indian artists and all Indian organizations promoting Indian classical music to promote people of Indian origin in overseas get to perform in Indian venues in large numbers

[hnbhagavan]

Dear VKRaman,

My statements should not be misread.The aim in India also be to pay good remuneration to artists.But this is an ideal perhaps difficult to follow.Certain organisations do give good remuneration to artists.But I have some experience of certain internal problems experienced by well organised sabhas to gather enough patronage.Each time- it is a herculean task.Most of the concerts are als free of cost.Even if it is ticketed,this would not meet any substantial expenses.
During Cleveland Tyagaraja festival - 2013,i was following thru webcast.Sri VV Sundaram was appealing to the audience for contribution.The problem is common perhaps in India as well as overseas.However the currency conversion perhaps helps in overseas.For Ex: Rs 100/- contribution in india may translate to significant amount where as 100 Dollars has a higher value.I find Rs 100/contribution also would be substantial if every Rasika also chips in.
Recently in Bangalore when one of the Sabhas proposed raise from Rs 200 annual membership to Rs 500/,I was surprised to see the commotion and protest.Finally a sum of Rs 400/- towards annual membership was fixed!