ROAD TO RECOVERY
- The Odia Language Literature and Culture dept should organise a five-day Pala festival every year
- The authorities concerned should facilitate Pala show in every panchayat of the state at least once in a year
- The state govt should allocate 500 decimal land in the Capital for construction of a permanent office building and training centre of Pala singers’ association
- The govt should provide Rs 5,000 as remuneration to Pala troupes for performing at government sponsored events
- The govt should raise the monthly pension of Pala artistes to Rs 3,000
Bhubaneswar: Pala artistes have threatened to take to the streets alleging state government’s negligence to the unique form of balladry in Odisha.
The artistes claimed that Pala has played a vital role to preserve and develop the language and culture of Odisha. However, the state government has done precious little to promote the traditional art and improve the lives of hundreds of Pala artistes, they added.
“Pala has a crucial role in dispelling superstitions from society and popularising the developmental programmes of Central as well as state governments. However, the state government has no intention to preserve and promote Pala culture in Odisha,” said Odisha Pala Gayak Parishad president Madan Mohan Jena in a press conference here recently.
The parishad, an association of Pala singers, blamed the state government for the fading popularity of the Pala culture. It claimed many Pala artistes are opting for other professions due to the absence of government support to the traditional art. “At present, the state has more than 20,000 Pala artistes. The Odia Language Literature and Culture department should organise a five-day Pala festival annually to promote the unique form of folk art. Moreover, the state government should allocate 500 decimal land in the Capital for construction of a permanent office building and training centre of Pala singers’ association,” Jena said.
The association also sought immediate hike in the pension of Pala artistes and establishment of a special department for the traditional art at Utkal University of Culture. “The state should provide at least Rs 5,000 as remuneration to Pala troupes for performing at government sponsored events. Moreover, steps should be taken to organise Pala shows at all government promoted festivals. Otherwise, we would be forced to hit the streets,” Jena said.
State Pala singers’ association director Amiya Kumar Patnaik rued the lackadaisical attitude of the state government towards Pala artistes. “The state government should set up a Pala academy to impart training to young artistes. The authorities concerned should facilitate Pala show in every panchayat of the state at least once in a year. The government should raise the monthly pension of Pala artistes to Rs 3,000 from the present Rs 1, 200,” Patnaik added.
