Kalolsavam row: What's wrong in asking pay for job? Artists leave Kerala minister red-faced

Kerala Labour and General Education Minister V Sivankutty felt it was arrogant of an actor to seek compensation for work. He was generous enough not to name the actor who demanded Rs 5 lakh to train students for the opening performance of the Kerala School Kalolsavam.

However, if he thought he could stir up public sentiment, he was left red-faced. The minister was forced to withdraw his statement, but not before his humiliating harangue aimed at the actor raised a broader question: Is it unreasonable for an artist to seek payment for their work of art?

Veteran dancer Girija Chandran said the female actor might not have been seeking fame from the event. "The actor may have asked for remuneration because she doesn't necessarily need the fame or recognition that comes with the Kalolsavam," Girija said. "There are artists who may not demand payment, but instead, seek the publicity and recognition the programme offers."

Dancer Neena Prasad also weighed in, affirming that it is not wrong for an artist to ask for payment. "Nobody becomes an artist expecting the government to offer them multiple opportunities every year. Most people don’t understand how artists live or how we practice our craft, so they form opinions based on incomplete knowledge," she explained.

She stressed that personal preferences influence such decisions. "Everyone has different preferences, but when you're approached for a professional engagement, asking for or accepting payment is not wrong. Many artists would be willing to perform for free, but if someone asks for payment, it's a personal choice, and there's nothing wrong with that."

Neena also pointed out the financial reality of producing a group performance. "Creating a dance performance for a group is costly. There are expenses involved in teaching the students, ensuring they get the choreography right, arranging the music, and so on. Artists spend a significant amount of money to make these performances happen," she said. "Whether or not an artist asks for payment is a personal decision, but it’s not wrong to ask for compensation."

Girija Chandran echoed these views, questioning why asking for payment is seen as a negative thing. "In cities like Chennai, artists, not actors, are preferred for such programs. So, why is it that only film actors are expected to choreograph dances here?" she asked. The actor simply asked for remuneration for a craft she’s skilled in.

"For artists, performing or teaching their craft is their livelihood. Asking for remuneration is completely reasonable; they should be compensated for their work. Artists like us ask for the payment we deserve, and I don't think the actor should be blamed for doing the same," she said.

Former Minister for Cinema and MLA Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan also expressed his disapproval of the government’s handling of the remuneration issue with the actor, stating that it should have been addressed privately rather than publicly shaming her.

"The government should have arranged the necessary payment with the actor beforehand. The education minister was wrong to publicly accuse her, suggesting she was motivated by greed," he said.

He added, "Instead of humiliating her in public, the government should have made proper arrangements to cover the expenses involved in hiring an actress. Such actions were completely unnecessary and inappropriate."