Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 26: J&K Radio and Doordarshan Performing Artists and Freelance Producers and Directors Association today voiced their concern over problems faced by artist community in the State and demanded release of pending payments of artists.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference, President of the Association, Tariq Javeed, to highlight various problems being faced by the artists of the Valley, need of setting up Kashmir’s own film industry and threat of losing local languages and culture to foreign programmes.
Click here to watch video
The artists and film makers of the State raised issues being faced by them.
It was stated that many artists of the Valley have made a name of themselves in the Indian film industry, however, they have no platform available locally to showcase their talents.
The Association highlighted the grievances of the artists associated with Doordarshan Srinagar and Radio Kashmir.
It was stressed that genuine and hard earned payments of many artists have not been released for the last 10 years by Doordarshan Kendra as a result these artists are facing great financial troubles.
It was also stated that work and programmes for local artists have been stopped by Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar and Kashir Channel which was meant for artists of Kashmir, as a result, artists associated with the channel have been left without any work.
Strongly criticizing the policies adopted by Doordarshan Kendra Delhi and Srinagar, the Association condemned the fact that local languages and programmes depicting the State’s culture are being ignored and instead non-local programmes and films irrelevant to Kashmir’s culture are being broadcasted on Kashir Channel round the clock and huge sums of money are being paid to people outside the State. However, artists and film makers from the Valley have no source of livelihood.
The Association requested the Governor of the State and authorities associated with Radio, Doordarshan, Department of Information, Film Division and Directorate of Doordarshan at New Delhi to take these issues seriously and find a solution for these through a collaborated effort with the artists of the Valley.
Follow our WhatsApp channel