Traditional folk artistes rally for demands

The rally was a part of the two-day event Veethi Viruthu Vizha organised by the Loyola Students Support Services (LSSS) and Alternative Media Centre (AMC) to revive art forms in the state.

The unique initiative saw traditional folk artistes from across the state come together to perform in the event. Representing the artistes, Dr Kaleeswaran, a professor from the institute put forth their demands.

Besides the bus pass and increase in retirement age (45 for women and 50 for men), the other demands included an increase in the compensation amount for the deceased from their community, introduction of a coaching centre for this art form in each district, formation of a committee to represent the members, and free houses to be set up for the artistes.

Held to revive the 1024 folk art forms in the State, the event, which came to a close on Sunday, included the depiction of 120 art forms on a single stage. Among the original folk artistes who participated, 17 were above 90 years of age and 333 were above 60 years. Through this event, the institute aimed at making it a World Record along with the Acme Book of World Records.