Stage artistes, troupe musicians demand COVID-19 relief

Seek relaxations for temple festivals, socio-cultural events

Stage artistes and troupe musicians have sought financial relief from the State Government saying that the COVID-19 lockdown had affected their livelihood. Carrying their music instrument and dressed up as various characters, the artistes who went to the Coimbatore Collectorate on Monday said the lockdown imposed in March 2020 had impacted their income in that they had no bookings to play at events or festivals. The Government should therefore come to their help by allowing functions or events to be held with COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and giving financial relief to their members, they said. The stage artistes too placed a similar demand. The Kovai Mavatta Medai Nadana Kalaithurai Sangam treasurer Jayanthi Anandakumar said in a year, the artistes had bookings for only six months starting April, when many temple festivals were held.