RG Kar Incident Casts Shadow Over Durga Puja, Music Industry Fears Covid-Era Woes

As Durga Puja, the most anticipated festive season in West Bengal, approaches, the Bengali music industry finds itself in a precarious position, haunted by memories of the Covid-19 pandemic. The recent RG Kar Medical College incident has sparked a wave of concern, resulting in the widespread cancellation of events and programmes. Several prominent singers, music bands, and musicians have voiced their worries as the festive period, usually a time of high earnings, now faces a grim scenario. One of the key voices from the industry, renowned singer Jojo, expressed her anguish over the unfolding situation. According to her, people often think that musical events are merely entertainment, not realizing that these shows provide income to a wide array of people—from backstage crew members to sound engineers and support staff. Echoing her sentiment, celebrated singer Lopamudra Mitra highlighted the impact on young musicians who often accompany established artists during live performances. She further mentioned that many budding talents rely on the festive season to showcase their skills and gain exposure. Veteran singer Rupankar Bagchi raised concerns about the inconsistency in policies, where television productions are continuing uninterrupted, with channels banking on new content for the festive period, but music and cultural shows are being singled out. It’s not just the music industry that’s bearing the brunt. The local theatre industry, popularly known as “Jatra,” is also witnessing a steep decline in sponsorship and participation. The Bengali music and cultural community is now grappling with the fallout of these developments, fearing long-term repercussions.