Hubballi: The jatras of Banashankari, Koppal Gavisiddeshwar, Sharana Mela in Kudalasangam, Vijayapura Siddeshwara and other such performance events in North Karnataka have been cancelled or are being held in a low-key manner, triggering financial distress for those who depended on these events for a year’s earning.
Drama companies, theatres, small food suppliers, transport, toys, shamiyana and other related businesses have taken the hit.
Chindodi Vijaykumar, the convenor of the Sri KBR Drama Company in Davanagere, told TOI that the Banashankari Jatra is only one in state where 12-13 drama companies stage four shows a day for a month.
“Last year, we were allowed to stage plays after the fifth day of Rathotsav. We hope the district administration will permit us this year also. Our life is already miserable after the night and weekend curfews. Currently, we are in Kukanur after the Gudneshwar Jatra. We used to get more audience for night shows but the night curfew has ruined our earnings,” Vijaykumar said.
“We are running shows in the afternoon even just for two or three people when we used to stage an extra play on Sundays. That has been stopped now. We are ready to follow all guidelines, like 50% audience, physical distancing, applying sanitiser and wearing masks, if the government permits (performances). Our humble request is to permit as we are already leading a hell-like life from almost two years. Social help towards artistes is also ending as it’s a question of one’s survival. Our morale is down to nil and we are thinking of alternative ways out,” Vijaykumar added.
P Veeranna, the president of the Kirani Vartakara Sangh in Badami, said that last year at this time, Covid was on a downward trend but, this year it’s surging. “Hence, lakhs of families, particularly those involved in small businesses such as toy making, oil and coconut, mirchi, bangles and sweets, will be pushed towards a fresh financial crisis. The Banashankari jatra is such a socio-economic event that thousands of families earn for six months in one month. Many of them repay their loans after the jatra. As of now, the government has banned Darshan till January 19, while Rathotsav is scheduled to be held on January 17. We have seen that many invest thousands and get returns in lakhs within a month. It’s the only jatra where one can get all commodities right from household articles to furniture and type of entertainment like drama, cinema, toy-plays etc,” he said.
Andappa Kolur, the president of the Karnataka Rajya Rait Sangh in Koppal district, said the current Covid-19 statistics are politically motivated after Mekedatu padayatra. “The Koppal jatra is highest crowd-pulling event in the state and it caters to lakh of families in the Kalyan Karnataka region. If the government cancels it, it will push thousands of people into hunger. When the current variant is weak enough, why is the government playing this game of statistics? Moreover, the jatra is a major market for farmers’ produce. Instead of cancelling it, the government can impose guidelines. Restrictions like curfew, lockdown and cancellation are expected to cause more deaths than Covid-19,” he said.
Drama companies, theatres, small food suppliers, transport, toys, shamiyana and other related businesses have taken the hit.
Chindodi Vijaykumar, the convenor of the Sri KBR Drama Company in Davanagere, told TOI that the Banashankari Jatra is only one in state where 12-13 drama companies stage four shows a day for a month.
“Last year, we were allowed to stage plays after the fifth day of Rathotsav. We hope the district administration will permit us this year also. Our life is already miserable after the night and weekend curfews. Currently, we are in Kukanur after the Gudneshwar Jatra. We used to get more audience for night shows but the night curfew has ruined our earnings,” Vijaykumar said.
“We are running shows in the afternoon even just for two or three people when we used to stage an extra play on Sundays. That has been stopped now. We are ready to follow all guidelines, like 50% audience, physical distancing, applying sanitiser and wearing masks, if the government permits (performances). Our humble request is to permit as we are already leading a hell-like life from almost two years. Social help towards artistes is also ending as it’s a question of one’s survival. Our morale is down to nil and we are thinking of alternative ways out,” Vijaykumar added.
P Veeranna, the president of the Kirani Vartakara Sangh in Badami, said that last year at this time, Covid was on a downward trend but, this year it’s surging. “Hence, lakhs of families, particularly those involved in small businesses such as toy making, oil and coconut, mirchi, bangles and sweets, will be pushed towards a fresh financial crisis. The Banashankari jatra is such a socio-economic event that thousands of families earn for six months in one month. Many of them repay their loans after the jatra. As of now, the government has banned Darshan till January 19, while Rathotsav is scheduled to be held on January 17. We have seen that many invest thousands and get returns in lakhs within a month. It’s the only jatra where one can get all commodities right from household articles to furniture and type of entertainment like drama, cinema, toy-plays etc,” he said.
Andappa Kolur, the president of the Karnataka Rajya Rait Sangh in Koppal district, said the current Covid-19 statistics are politically motivated after Mekedatu padayatra. “The Koppal jatra is highest crowd-pulling event in the state and it caters to lakh of families in the Kalyan Karnataka region. If the government cancels it, it will push thousands of people into hunger. When the current variant is weak enough, why is the government playing this game of statistics? Moreover, the jatra is a major market for farmers’ produce. Instead of cancelling it, the government can impose guidelines. Restrictions like curfew, lockdown and cancellation are expected to cause more deaths than Covid-19,” he said.
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