Kolkata: Sept and Oct are typically the most hectic months for artistes performing at college socials. However, the circumstances are quite different this year, with shows dwindling to a mere trickle. Artistes contend that this is a blow to their livelihood. To complicate matters is the reaction of trolls accusing artists for being insincere if they accept the few shows that are coming their way.
Singer-actor Silajit deferred his Kolkata Centre for Creativity event, originally scheduled for Sept 14, to August 24 in light of the RG Kar incident. On Sept 9, Silajit uploaded a video on social media where he emphasized the necessity to understand that artists are no different from other professionals and must persist in carrying out their respective professions to sustain their livelihoods.
Music director Prabuddha Banerjee, who is part of KCC Offstage show featuring Silajit this Saturday, equated trolling to a “pervasive social malady”. “It is now proliferating akin to the Covid virus and amplifying the toxic quotient... Protests must be expressed, but life cannot come to a standstill,” Banerjee said.
Band Fossils’ performance at the ISL opening ceremony was recently cancelled. “We were told that Kolkata is not in the mood for entertainment. Don’t people listen to songs even when sad? Strangely matches can happen now but it is only the artistes’ shows that organisers have objection to,” said Fossils’ manager Rupsha Dasgupta.
Many artists underline the huge market that protest songs have. Cancelling shows takes away the platform where they can be showcased now. “Rupam’s Ekok shows have so many protest songs. Why should performances be seen only about entertainment?” Dasgupta asked. Banerjee also reminded that an important facet of an artiste’s profession is to exhibit his/her work. “However, it can in no way dilute the protesting voice of the artiste,” he added.
The grassroot-level workers who help to put up the shows are also affected badly. Visual jockey Arindam Sen said: “People presume that renowned performers are already financially stable. However, they overlook the vast ecosystem that supports the industry, including engineers, event teams, and production crew, whose livelihoods are abruptly disrupted. While we all want to protest, paying the bill is a big deal right now.”
Few, however, are highlighting a dichotomy in the stance of some artistes who are actively discouraging participation in pujas while simultaneously promoting their upcoming ventures. Somnath Das, the organizer of Santoshpur Lake Pally Puja, said: “Such artistes are opportunists, attempting to cultivate an image of being activists.