Government ignoring performing artistes: Kishori Amonkar

Panaji, May 29 (IANS) Renowned Hindustani classical singer Kishori Amonkar Friday criticised the government for not being concerned about performing artistes and said that conferring awards like the Bharat Ratna or Padma Vibhushan was merely paying lip-service and nothing much else.

'Giving away big awards like Padma Vibhushan or Bharat Ratna does not mean that the government is keeping artistes alive. They are not concerned about us,' Amonkar told mediapersons ahead of her concert here.

Criticising the government's hypocrisy towards classical musicians and other performing artistes, she cited the differential treatment meted out to them vis-a-vis film stars.

'At the airport, film stars are given VIP treatment, whereas a Bharat Ratna or a Padma series award winner is completely ignored. Who has contributed more to this country? Artistes or actors?' asked Amonkar, who is herself a Padma Vibhushan awardee.

The noted singer said it was this deplorable attitude that forced veteran artistes to leave India and settle abroad instead.

'It's a shame that in our country we don't get the required recognition and that people have to leave the country for money and recognition,' she said.

Amonkar was also critical of the slew of reality shows and talent hunts on television, saying that such shows did not have much to do with music.

'Music is never about competition or war mongers, which these shows indulge in. Classical music is the basis of good music. You cannot learn it like this,' Amonkar quipped.