Grade expectations: Artistes to be classified into grades for performances
In an effort to break cliques that have taken over the cultural space in the country, the Ministry of Culture has started a new policy of grading artistes into three categories — O for ‘Out-standing’, P for ‘Promising’ and W for ‘Waiting’ — based on which they will be sent for various events.
After having classified 185 artistes from the world of dance, music, theatre and literature into these brackets, the ministry now plans to expand this programme.
While it may seem like an uphill task, the government plans to prepare a database of 1 crore artistes in India, who will be judged on a number of criteria like awards received by them, years of experience and number of performances in India and abroad.
Contemporary dancer Astad Deboo, who frequents Hyderabad, confesses that he has put in an application for the grading, only because he fears missing out on opportunities. “I think it’s rather sad that senior artistes like myself, who have proven themselves time and again are also being put under this kind of scrutiny.
“I put in my application as I was asked to do so, since I may not get a chance to perform at all if I do not,” says Astad. World music band Maati Baani’s Kartik Shah believes that the process is counterintuitive to supporting rural talent.
“The folk musicians in India have no clue this system exists; they may not even have seen these ads by the government inviting applications for grading,” he says.
“It’s important to know what the process is by which they grade artistes. What’s more important is to see if the grading system will give some sort of subsidies and exposure to folk musicians. I’ve seen many of them being offered barely Rs 400 per day by government organisations for concerts. On the other hand, for legendary artistes, what rating will you give them that will justify their stature?”
However, Rammohan H., founder of Hyderabad-based Nishumbita theatre, says that the ratings system will definitely help the artiste community. “There will be more positive competition now, because there will be people who have been doing intensive work in the rural areas for many years whom no one has really recognised,” he says, adding that the awards systems could change for the good as well.
Kartik mentions that All India Radio (AIR) has a grading system for classical musicians who wish to perform live on the radio station. The auditions and the tests prescribed for musicians have ragas and songs that a candidate must learn and perform. Auditions, says the musician, is a better way to put artistes into grades.
“There’s a thought process behind these tests, and requires people to actually work hard.” Classical dance exponent Mangala Bhatt from Hyderabad adds that the existing ratings systems also help rural artistes gain recognition.
She says, “Organisations like Doordar-shan, Akaashvani and the ICCR already has categories like this, that the artiste fraternity follows. There’s no harm in following, as upcoming and young artistes will try to upgrade their skills and it can give them some authenticity as well.”
The biggest question that seems to plague many artistes’ minds is whether or not the grading will be fair. Says Astad, “It’s all very bureaucratic and a lot depends on the luck of the draw since it is completely on the members of the designated panel as to whether or not you are outstanding, promising or waiting. If someone on the panel does not like you, then it curtails your chances.”
— With inputs from Christopher Isaac
