Plight of Tambura artists

[hnbhagavan]

On one of the concert days,I was waiting for my pick up which incidentally did not turn up.I tried to stop a BMTC bus.To my surprise,I found that the tambura artist
boarded the crowded bus along with the tambura and to reach his destination,he has to change at Majestic bus stand and catch a second bus - already it is 10:00Pm.
I felt extremely bad that the organisations do not care for transporting these artists.Other knowledgeable people can respond whether such is the plight of tambura artists.
I do not know what remuneration is paid to them.
I decided to make a small contribution and requested the organizers to distribute it among the tambura artists.

[Rsachi]

HNbhagavan,
Others know more about this. What I have gathered is that the stringed tambura is a luxury no organiser cares for.
The tambura artistes are therefore completely at the mercy of the main artiste. They bring their own tambura and make do with whatever cheapest transport they can get.

I am reminded of the tongas in Mysore. Neither the tonga driver nor the horse had any sympathies from anyone in the sixties when the autos whizzed in. That is the parallel of the Electronic tambura. No tuning, no strings attached. Pure plug and play, needs no further care or compensation. We are bemoaning the situation of an endangered tribe.

[rajeshnat]

i have seen plenty of occasion where despite a bata given to tambura artist which is exclusively given for transport , the artist generally prefer to take a public transport which is understandable as they save that money . It is unfortunate to see their plight.

[Nick H]

All I know is that if the amount paid to some accompanists is small ---and it is--- then the amount paid to tambura artists is tiny. I'm surprised that they can even pay a bus fare out of it.

Some of them are elderly, some extremely so, even in their nineties. We see them, yet we do not know their stories. More often than not, we do not even know their names.

[ramamantra]

For my niece's concert, the elderly tambura player demanded a lot of money. She'd received only 1000/-. She gave him 500 and still he took home a bus. After giving the violin and mridangam 500 each not to mention, paying the taxi, 1500, she sang paying 2k from her pocket.

Some tambura players are really paavam and get exploited and some others, like this one, exploit others.

[vgovindan]

In order to support artists who are suffering because of neglect, I suggest that we should take up their cause. Towards this, I shall make a token contribution of Rs. 1000/-. I shall try to contribute Rs. 1000/- every month.
Can we organize this?

[arasi]

VG, That's very generous of you to help out!

Though I'm not pledging a monthly donation like you, I will be happy to chip in, once something solid is established.
For my part, on the several occasions when I engaged a tambura player, not knowing the going rates (a pittance it was, and I was appaled) I multiplied the sum several times over, and gave it to them. I will do it again, when the occasions arise.

I would rather contribute to musicians who are at the bottom rung as stage performers, than chip in for food when we meet! A simple snack is all that we need!

While on the subject, how can we forget the gracious way in which The Ravikirans hosted a lunch on their own last December at their place! It turned out to be educating as well as a pleasant meeting!

Cienu and Geetha have been doing it in Bengaluru, out of their own fine sense of hospitality...

When Rajesh went to all the trouble of arranging for a reprint of Yadugiri's book on Bharathi (which got translated as OY bhArarthiyArE! on Rasikas.org), and created interest among rasikAs, but for a few rasikAs who bought them, many copies went unclaimed.

When Nick wanted to help out the widow of a respected vidvAn a bit more, (which he is doing on a regular basis), the response was a mere trickle. Chitravina Ravikiran was willing to work on a scheme which would benefit many such artistes or their families.

We are very happy and are proud with ourselves for being good rasikAs, and rightfully so--but when it comes to even responding to an rsvp, we take our time

The good intentions are there, but we are not prompt (granted, we all lead extremely busy lives these days, but so do these volunteers!).

Let me get off the soap box before someone says,"Off with you!"

VG,
As I said, I do want to contribute...

[Ramasubramanian M.K]

VG,ARASI et al: I will pitch in once there is a structure not only for collecting funds but also disbursing them o the Tambura artists.
Please count me in-the amount and frequency to be determined later.

[mahavishnu]

+1.

[vasanthakokilam]

Arasi: I kept nodding my head at every point you make there.

When Nick wanted to help out the widow of a respected vidvAn a bit more, (which he is doing on a regular basis), the response was a mere trickle.

That is one of the low points of our forum. Not blaming anyone specifically of course, but as a group we failed miserably to take action in spite of understanding the need.

What happens is quite typical. Everyone sympathizes with the specific situation at first, then people question why help this person alone and not everyone else and think loftily about how to come up with a scalable and sustainable scheme. While that is a noble thought, the specific need loses its visibility and it is forgotten and the lofty schemes never materialize. In the end, nothing gets done.

Let me add that while that sounds bleak, there are a few individuals who acted promptly and with extraordinary generosity. I know a few of those cases. That gives me some encouragement and hope that a person with better skills in fund-raising would produce better results. Hope someone with such good skills organize this effort. But please, for a change, do not blow this up into an all encompassing big scheme. Experience teaches us that it is a bad thing in spite of good intentions.It is more important to do something than planning to do something perfectly. The latter runs a huge risk of getting nothing done.

[hnbhagavan]

Dear Vasanthakokilam,

You have said rightly that this forum only talks.I feel it is time for action.A trust may be formed with a few senior members like Rsachi,Arasi,Nick etc.The first step is to arrange collection of money which is easy with Online/Cheque facility.Whenever needy is identified or brought to the notice of trust,the assistance can be given.
But first it is necessary to start a corpus fund and augment the same periodically thru contributions from Rasikas.

[Nick H]

That is a huge responsibility. It is one thing to have become involved in the life of one person in need, and quite another to take such a position where one would have to both collect and take decisions on the allocation of generous contributions. Whilst I appreciate the compliment of being included in the above list, it is not something I could do. Also, it is those more close to the community that are aware of needs that often the needy prefer not to make public.

My wife has operated an informal charity model for quite a few years. She knows of children from poor families, very often the mothers are widowed/deserted, who are in need of education. She knows of people with good incomes who want to do some good. She simply brings the two together. There is no organisation, no administration other than balanced accounts: every rupee in is a rupee out and there are no expenses deducted. (curious by-the-way fact: it is very tough to raise money for the poor children of single fathers!)

This model works, as does the individual person-to-person help which is done by members and never publicly even mentioned.

[parivadini]

Hi All,
Completely agree with nick,even the left hand need not know what the right hand does!

Incidentally,Parivadini is growing and we are busy right now in organizing our business plan and working out models by which we can monetize on our technology spin off. As a growing organization we would be glad to be of help by hiring deserving candidates from backgrounds as mentioned by nick. You can ask them to mail their cv to [email protected] or [email protected] .We are currently looking to hire runners,office assistants,hardware engineers,broadcast engineers,content executives,business analysts etc etc.

One of the Tambura artist Ganesh is currently looking to raise money for his dental operation,he was particular that he should not raise this money from one individual and rather little little from different folks those interested in supporting him can contact him on his mobile - 9283660048 No 21/3 Pillayar Koil Street Chennai 41.

Cheers
Venkat

[cacm]

Late Kothamanhalam Subbu's son can be seen playing for ALMOST ALL the LEADING ARTISTS & IS PERPETUALLY IN BAD FINANCIAL STATE & NEEDS HELP.
ONE CAN AUTOMATICALLY ASSUME STARTING WITH UPAPAKKAVADYAMS THAMBURA ARTISTS ARE THE LOWEST IN THE "FOOD" CHAIN. VKV

[Pratyaksham Bala]

S. Ganesan (b.1943) is the son of singer-actor Kothamangalam Seenu and grandson of Thinniyam Venkatrama Iyer.

[Pratyaksham Bala]

The Hindu article of 6.1.2012 on the plight of Tambura artists:-
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp ... 778727.ece

////

A laudable effort by AIKYA INDIA in helping musicians:-
http://www.globaladjustments.com/aikya/

"We are happy to honour these musicians in the autumn of their lives with support for their lifetime.

Tiruvarur R. Krishnamurthy – Mridangam (2013)
Tiruvarur S. Latchappa Pillai – Nadaswaram (2013)
C. P. Venkatesan – Flute (2012)
R. Lakshminarayanan – Tambura (2012)
N. Balaguruswamy – Odhuvar (2011)
Mayavaram G. Somasundaram – Kanjira (2011)
Thanjavur Sankara Iyer – Composer (2010)
E. M. Subramaniam – Ghatam (2010)
S. Ganesan - Tambura (2010) "

[vgovindan]

pb,
Thanks for the link - AIKYA.
However, I shall wait for any initiative from Rasika.Org before donating through them.
I would prefer not to deal directly with individual artists as has been suggested in one of the posts.

[carnatricks]

ive heard so many people say that thambura playing is also art. why is it that many leading musicians are happy to do away with it. does it not matter anymore? i dont think i have come across a single picture of old time greats without a thambura in their concert. naturally, youngsters too today have followed suit and barely bother to have a manual thambura and seem more comfortable with ipods and speakers on stage. cant organisations make it compulsory to have a manual thambura and employ someone permanently. easily said i guess but maybe a musical organisation like parivaadini can take this up, just like their initiative to honour mridhangam makers earlier this year which i thought was fantastic. will be happy to help in any way i can.

[arasi]

The way the older generation of performers would have reacted to the new age box? Can't tell. Some might have preferred it. However, they traveled with a sishya or two who took care of carrying the tambura and in playing it. They also attended to every need of their guru. I don't think any of the musicians would have paid money out of their pockets for a player!

S Balachandar, who in some ways was very modern in his views in the arts (films included), might have all the same protested to having this gadget on stage Anyone knows?

An old sruti box was very much a household item, and even musicians sang with them at home at times. I do remember, even as a tiny tot, their gatherings. The box went back and forth when they were learning from each other a few songs. I hear now their 'unga Sruti enna?' and adjustments were made to change the kaTTai and to madhyama Sruti at times. ....

[munirao2001]

Yes, tambura players, who have no other means of income need support. I feel that all the popular performers with good income, should form Self Help Group, contribute and collect the funds. I would prefer that a fixed deposit is made with interest meeting the monthly expenses or as a Health insurance cover or as a gift to meet a specific requirement on marriage/education. Why not Carnatic music artists association/organizations like Thyagaraja Vidwath Samajam and Karnataka Gana Kala Parishad contribute for keeping tambura artists on fixed monthly remuneration. Sabhas to get the services from such association/organization on payment for each engagement, which will include the conveyance expenses and food-breakfast/noon snacks/dinner and refreshment (tea, coffee) expenses. Rasikas to contribute to such associations/organizations. Central and State Govt institutions also can give grants/aids.
I will contribute.
munirao2001

[hnbhagavan]

Dear Sri Munirao,

Since you have the right contacts as well as knowledgeable,I request to start this fund drive.To start with Rasikas Forum should gather the funds.
In due course deserving people can be helped.I am sure forum members will support the cause.

[munirao2001]

hnbraghavan

It will be my pleasure to contribute for the noble cause. First let all the forunites commit the funds they are likely to give. On getting the commitment, we should communicate with CM.artists associations/organizations in Bengaluru/Chennai/Hyderabad/Thiruvananthapuram to work out the modalities for the funds maintenance and its usage in this cause. We should also take the help of forunites Maestros like Chitraveena Ravi Kiran, Sashikiran and others to consider fund raising concerts. Rasikas.org and artists funds pooled and given to the respective organizations like Thyagaraja Vidwath Samajam, Chennai and Karnataka Gana Kala Parishat.
munirao2001

[vasanthakokilam]

munirao, as I alluded to in my post above (#10), let us start small and then grow it to the extent you are referring to.

If you agree with that method, then we need to take care of a few things as quickly as possible and get going. The ones that come to mind are

1) Provide a way for members to contribute.

2) Let us keep the round 1 goal as Rs. 50,000.00.

3) Simultaneously, let members propose here who are the artists and/or their families who are in dire straights that we want to help. Let us keep a modest goal of 5.

4) Distribute Rs. 10,000.00 to them.

5) Wash, rinse and repeat.

Notes:
a) Do not post details like Postal address, bank account number etc for contribution. Those who are interested can get it from you by email.

b) Rs. 50,000 is not much and given the number of generous members and artists amongst us, we should be able to easily meet this and beat this by a considerable margin. Keep anything above Rs.50,000 for round 2

c) Though this is a modest effort, let us strive to get some media coverage at the end of round 1 like in Hindu, Sruthi etc. that will help this to get a wider visibility and do bigger and better things.

d) As a way to gauge the level of interest for this Round 1, I request members to post in public or private their level of support. If you do not want to provide the exact number especially in public, just provide the level of your intended support:
A) Up to 999 B) 1000 to 4999 C) 5000 to 9999 and D) 10,000 or greater

[satyabalu]

Sabhas to encourage by including their name as a part of accompaniments.
Honouring them in their annual award functions.e.g Sri Thiagaraja Vidwat Samajam,Chennai.
Artists on their part to support by taking their preferred tambura artist to the concerts to accompany them.( some are doing it).
There should be a special way to compensate as I find during Pancharatnam being organised they find it difficult to bring tambura in the public transport. There are some Tambura artists like Tambura Venkatraman who themselves muster to organise Pancharatnam.
Establish endowment,secure donation .
I am prepared for my contribution.

[hnbhagavan]

Dear members,

A modest contribution of Rs 1000/ by each one shall be planned.Of course higher amounts are welcome.I request the forum members to respond.