The world is at a standstill with coronavirus. Almost all activities are suspended. In the meanwhile, there is a possibility that various fields in the country and abroad will be gradually activated, but the people of music are seeing the long darkness filled way ahead.
And this time more than a hundred musicians of the country have joined hands to find a ray of hope from that darkness. These artists see it as a struggle for their rights or survival.
They say that during the ongoing lockdown, it is no longer possible to continue the 'free culture' that is going on through Facebook and YouTube.
Muhin Khan, an artist of this generation, explained the matter in more detail.
“We are seeing an increase in the number of multidimensional online events. I or we all looked at it positively from the beginning because, as an artist, we also have some responsibilities in the ongoing epidemic, to make everyone aware or to keep a good mind by listening to music.
But the frustrating thing is that after three months, the number of shows that we are noticing is increasing day by day. On the contrary, most of the artists are not getting any honorarium. There is a lot of frustration working inside us on this issue. We don't really see anything but darkness in front of us,” he said.
And in order to break this darkness, musicians of different generations have decided , ‘there will be no more free shows,’ after a series of internet meetings.
Throughout the day on June 24, the echoes were found on social media on the Facebook status of various artists. Meanwhile, Bappa Majumder said on his Facebook wall, “In the first step, all free performances / appearances have to be stopped.”
Especially that the main earning path of the artists is stage shows. According to them, they will have to stay under house arrest for at least another year and a half.
Because, even though there is a gradual passage from the ongoing epidemic, the situation of organizing a stage show is not being created. Many of them have spent more than three months without any income.
At the request of various people, they had to listen to their songs or speak as guests on internet programs organized by various individuals and organizations. Most of which were without respect!
His official statement came on Wednesday evening from more than a hundred artists. The statement, which began with the slogan “Respect the Artists - Save the Artists”:
We are facing a terrible time in Corona Chobal. And so now is the time for all the vocalists, instrumentalists, lyricists, composers and music directors and all those involved in music to come together.
Clean songs give hope to the soul. The role and power of the song is immense. Those of us who used to practice that song regularly as a hobby / love and a profession, are currently in a difficult time.
We know that the audience is the power of art. But today it is impossible to maintain social distance by touching the corona. Getting back to the atmosphere of folklore and music is stuck in an indefinite period today.
While the musicians of developed countries are earning through technology at home, we are far from earning it due to various complications. Thanks to those who are trying to do regular shows with sponsors through television or other means while maintaining social distance.
But lately we've been seeing, in a variety of ways, social media; For example, the number of live talk shows or musical programs is increasing through Facebook, Zoom, Streamyard or various other means. Which is commendable but in most cases the musicians are being deprived of the honor of organizing it. The future of art and the professional space of the artist is being hampered by the amateur activities of many.
So in the current crisis, we have become one in honoring the artist and saving this art. In the interest of the survival of these art and artists in the future, we (the artists mentioned below) have pledged not to participate in any other online event without honors.
The artists who directly agreed with this decision were:
Rafiqul Alam, Abida Sultana, Tapan Chowdhury, Linu Billah, SI Tutul, Dinat Jahan Munni, Farid Ahmed, Badsha Bulbul, Shafiq Tuhin, Muhin Khan and several others.
