COVID lockdown: Help the needy in the arts community

Pic: Anoop Arora

Arts are the soul of humanity, the countermeasure to our monotonous modern lives that keeps us closer to our spirit. I have always been an avid learner and watcher of dance and have been writing about it for over 11 years. My family and I are trying to support the neediest in the dance and arts community in any way possible, the most convenient of which are these links below. If you watch music, dance or theatre performances in your city, please send whatever amount you can through crowdfunding for these artists whose livelihood is uncertain for at least the next few months. As more crowdfunding campaigns or other funds are started, will keep updating for the attention of art lovers, all of whom are not privy to community discussions.

Crowdfunding sites and funds for donations:

https://www.ourdemocracy.in/Campaign/SupportADAA

https://www.ketto.org/fundraiser/support-kathputli-colony-during-covid19?payment=form

https://gocrowdera.com/IN/self/COVIDOutreach/Gayathri-22190

DM @lalitha_ram on Twitter to help contribute directly to nagaswaram and thavil artists; click here for tweet

Contact +91 8880816607 to buy reusable and washable cloth masks made by the Hosa Belaku Artisans’ Foundation. That amount will be the livelihood of about 100 + tailors (male and female) who either have disabilities, are diabetic or are women from underprivileged backgrounds and are sole earners for their families. All of these people are based in and around Bengaluru. My nephew Shail Suneja, an artist based in Bengaluru, is involved in this initiative - I have put up his post separately on Facebook as well. These masks are only Rs. 20 per mask - please buy for those you know who cannot afford masks.

Arts content on the subject:

https://www.facebook.com/kalagrit/videos/162985771676768/

https://www.facebook.com/teamworkarts/videos/2878193215592755/

Information and perspectives:

https://www.dailypioneer.com/2020/columnists/not-making-a-song-and-dance---.html

https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/coronavirus-kathputli-colony-delhi-economic-package-safety-measures-financial-protection

https://www.news18.com/news/india/with-covid-19-pulling-the-strings-artists-of-delhis-kathputli-colony-on-the-verge-of-starvation-amid-lockdown-2562557.html

https://www.facebook.com/kathputlicolonydilli/

Link to webinar on 10 April, Friday:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/867974503

If you want to add names of needy in the arts community to database:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnX8A4n__AsZw1yermgUSwObb0nTG6lfmh5G9Up62ARYVvHQ/viewform