Scheme for Employment of Musicians

Even established musicians in the field of classical music in India, are finding it extremely difficult to earn a decent living. Whilst top ranking musicians are fairly comfortable through earnings from their concerts, it is the up and coming musician who finds it extremely difficult to devote sufficient time for his own progress as he is completely tied up in giving tuitions to deserving and undeserving students to earn his livelihood. Unless he reaches the top, the number of his concerts and the fee per concert is small. Such musicians who have proved their merit, but have still not been recognised as top-rankers, need to be patronised. 

Not too long ago, the Maharajas and Nawabs were patronising such musicians as a result of which, classical music not only had flourished, but had progressed considerably . Today, the musicians have to depend upon popular patronage only.  Financial insecurity results in jealousies.

It is a well-known fact that, in the field of sports, well-known cricketers, tennis players, badminton stars, hockey players, etc., are given jobs by well-known industrial and commercial establishments. One wonders why, our promising musicians cannot be employed similarly. It is heartening that, some large business houses on being approached, have readily agreed to employ one or more musicians in their organisations.  If about 150 to 200 such jobs could be created all over India, a very important and necessary service would be rendered to the cause of preservation and promotion of Indian classical music -Public Sector Under takings. 

With regard to the basis on which, such musicians could be employed, the following guidelines could be considered:

1. The musician to be employed should have an established reputation in the country and should be an ‘A’ Grade artist of the All India Radio. (It may be mentioned that, only high category musicians are graded ‘A ‘)
2. Monthly emolument could be Rs. 3,000/- to Rs. 5,000/-  (As these would be tax deductable, the employer would in reality be paying only half of the salary amount).
3. The musician should religiously devote his time in practicing music (Riyaz) and to allied activities like writing articles, books, etc. if he is a musicologist.
4. He should coach free of charge one or two deserving and capable students from amongst the staff of his employer ‘s Organisation.
5. He should also give a concert per month tree of charge for the benefit of the customers, friends, etc., of the employer ‘s organisation if desired .
6. The musician should not be expected to attend office of his employer or carry out any work related to business, as such.

In conclusion, it could be emphasised that, by patronizing well-known musicians, the business community would contribute in a substantial way to the preservation and promotion of our ancient art of music