A collective of artists from Jaipur staged a significant protest on Monday, voicing their deep frustration over the prolonged neglect faced by the city's premier art and cultural establishments. Theatre professionals, musicians, writers, and visual artists united to highlight the critical state of institutions that form the backbone of Rajasthan's cultural landscape.
From Discussion to Rally: A Peaceful Demonstration
The day of action commenced at the Ravindra Manch, where a diverse group of creative minds held an open forum. They shared their grievances regarding the systemic issues plaguing their workplaces. Following this, the gathering transformed into a peaceful rally as the artists walked to the Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK) to formally submit a memorandum outlining their demands.
However, in what the protesters saw as a symbolic snub, no senior administrative official was available at JKK to receive their memorandum. This absence was interpreted by the artists as a clear reflection of the administration's indifference towards the arts and those who sustain it.
Core Issues: Decay, Understaffing, and Financial Questions
The memorandum and protest speeches pinpointed several acute problems affecting major cultural bodies, including:
- Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK)
- Ravindra Manch
- Sangeet Natak Akademi
- Sahitya Akademi
- Lalit Kala Akademi
The artists highlighted chronically inadequate budgets, severe staff shortages, and persistent administrative irregularities. Theatre artist Ujjwal Prakash Mishra provided stark examples. He reminded everyone of a silent protest held earlier at JKK on September 17 this year. Mishra pointed out irregular staff promotions at JKK and the alarming physical state of Ravindra Manch.
"Ravindra Manch, which is our cultural heritage, is in a very poor condition. Its walls have weakened to the extent that they could collapse at any time," Mishra warned. He emphasized the staffing crisis, noting that institutions like Ravindra Manch need 30 to 40 employees but are currently managed by a skeletal crew of just two or three staff members.
Demands for Transparency and Revival
A particularly pointed question raised was about the ₹40 crore sanctioned for Ravindra Manch's renovation over the past two years. The artists demanded to know how the facility could deteriorate so rapidly despite this substantial allocation. Their key demands to the administration include:
- An independent, transparent audit of all previous renovation works at Ravindra Manch.
- Immediate increase in programme budgets for the state's cultural academies.
- Urgent recruitment to fill all vacant posts across these institutions.
- The immediate formation of a governing council for Jawahar Kala Kendra.
The protest underscores a growing crisis in Jaipur's cultural ecosystem. Artists argue that the institutions meant to nurture and showcase Rajasthan's rich artistic traditions are being crippled by apathy and mismanagement, threatening the very survival of the region's cultural heritage.
