Sad conditions for Great Artists of Pakistan

by  EMANUEL SARFRAZ and RAO DILSHAD HUSSAIN

    Artistes across the country suffer in old age. There is no private or public institution for their welfare. Many die in abject poverty while a number of them are suffering from various fatal diseases. EMANUEL SARFRAZ and RAO DILSHAD HUSSAIN explain the situation

He dreamily keeps staring straight. Not into the eyes of the attendant or the visitor but straight into the oblivion. Perhaps he was remembering the good old days when audiences applauded his singing talent. Once the ever-smiling face now has all the agony of continuing disease. Once a stoutly built person he is now a shadow of himself. He has lost a lot of weight. Ustad Sharafat Ali Khan, son of legendary classical singer and father of pop sensation Shujaat Ali Khan, has performed in many countries of the world. After the death of his uncle Ustad Nazakat Ali Khan he performed with his father and later with his brother Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan.
Ustad Sharafat is in great depression that deepens everyday as his body becomes weaker due to dialysis. One of the causes of depression is that he has been ignored by institutions and people related to art and culture. This has not happened for the first time. Art and culture have always been low priority for all governments in the past. Even now the provincial and federal governments are not interested in full promotion of art and cultural activities. The post of the federal minister for culture remains vacant. The bureaucracy runs the show in ministry.

Many artistes stories of cheers and tears have ended in tragedy. In the last years of their lives they lived in abject poverty and died without getting help from any quarter. Actress Romana, Nimmi, Zakir Ali Khan, Sudheer, Mazhar Shah, Pervaiz Mehdi, Jaggi Malik and Adeeb suffered in their later years. Showbiz is a strange place. The glamour and glitz of this field often makes the artistes commit mistakes. To propel their image as celebrities they overspend and some go wayward. But those artistes who save for the rainy day live comfortably in old age. However, it is a fact that there is no public or private sector institution established especially for welfare of artistes.
Romana and Nimmi were seen begging from people in their last days. A few days prior to her death Romana was seen begging in the streets of Lahore and at railway station. She reportedly died of starvation. She was also suffering from different diseases. The attitude of film industry people towards her too was not good while those in the culture ministry remained indifferent. Ustad Sharafat+ s uncle Ustad Zakir Ali Khan, brother of Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, passed away in abject poverty some years ago. He was an A class artiste of Radio Pakistan. He continued to wait for days on end for his meagre amount cheques to clear. In his last days he used to visit the offices of art councils and her institutions seeking help, as he was also suffering from multiple diseases. Zakir was a happy man in all circumstances. He was the writer of perhaps the only book of raags. He appealed to the government and art councils for help through statements in the newspapers. He would visit the offices of newspapers and request for publication of his statements. Nobody paid heed to his requests. He was under treatment at Shaikh Zayed Hospital. He passed away in grief and disbelief that it was not possible that no one had come to his help considering his contributions in the field of music.

There have been a number of unsuccessful movements and launch of organisations for welfare of artistes. At times funds were raised but not adequate enough for the continuity of movements. Whenever` there has been a calamity artistes have led from the front raising donations. The artists raised donations and relief for the people affected in earthquake upcountry in 2005. Lately a number of popular stars have hit the social work bandwagon. They are engaged in social work activities and are very successful in their projects. Bhangra king Abrarul Haq has established a state of the art modern hospital in the remote area of Narowal and is also running Youth Parliament, which aims at empowering the youth. Pop star Jawad Ahmed has started a number of schools for children in rural area of Chunian. Singer Shahzad Roy has started schools for poor children in Karachi. The poor kids are given daily stipend so that they may not continue to work in the streets and instead get quality education. Interestingly none of the stars has started any big ambitious project for the welfare of artistes. But then everyone is not successful in doing social work.
Film star Ali Ijaz, who has acted in a number of hit films like + Dubai Challo+ , + Sala Sahib+ , + Sahib Jee+ , + Bao Jee+ , + Ishq Samundar+ , + Sona Chandi+  and + Kudrat+ , got free medical treatment at Ittefaq Hospital in Lahore. He has lived the life of comfort but becomes disturbed to see the plight of some old citizens maltreated by their children. He established Ali Ijaz Foundation with the aim of setting up old homes in the country. He approached all the concerned quarters, held press conferences and started awareness campaigns about the need of establishing old homes. He got the NGO registered and was very enthusiastic about the whole project. The actor enthusiasm was renewed when he went to the public for support. People respected him and showered him with love and praise for the good work.
+ I was president of the Foundation. I have resigned and wrapped up the project. Greedy people had gathered around me. I did not have enough funds to start the project. I had planned to raise funds but these people were planning to rob me of that money. I could not betray the people who would have donated for the noble cause. The government had not shown any interest. There was no hope. The dream of setting up old homes that would have accommodated old artistes as well could not materialise. It is all over,+  Ali Ijaz said while talking to Sunday Plus.
From the field of art and culture we have legends living among us. These include Mehdi Hassan, Reshma, Ali Ijaz, Roohi Bano, Humayun Qureshi, Afzal Ahmed and Babu Baral. They received recognition and a lot of applause when they were at the peak of their careers. They still need our attention. The government officials and politicians from time to time have been helping Mehdi Hassan, Reshma, Nisar Butt and Babu Baral. It is appreciable but it would be heartening if other artistes too were given the same treatment. Mastana, Prem Nath (Asghar Rizvi) and many other artists live in very poor conditions. With the decline of our film industry artistes who used to do small roles are left with no choice but to work in other fields under extremely difficult situations. It would be good news if a federal minister for culture is appointed and he as well as the provincial minister for culture visit Ustad Sharafat Ali Khan, Humayun Qureshi, Afzal Ahmed, Reshma, Babu Baral and other artists to show their solidarity.
Thousands of people are related to art and culture are devoted to the extent that they mostly do not leave their profession even if it is not paying much. The popular artists appeals for help get published in newspapers and sometimes the art councils and ministries help them but most musicians, actors, and technicians are not even considered for help. There is no system to hear their complaints or to redress their grievances.
The singers and musicians of different gharanas (families) like Sham Churasi, Gawalior, Patiala and others devote their lives to the traditional music. Many of them live in poverty. They still hope that the good old days will return. + We had never thought that life would become so difficult. The field of music was so full of life and activity that we never thought that it would all change. Nobody promotes the traditional music. Neither the PTV nor the new channels are interested in promoting classical music. Hundreds of singers and musicians associated with the classical music are living in poverty and left with no option but to adopt other professions,+  Zakir Ali said while talking to The Nation prior to his death.
The last two years were extremely difficult for the artistes+  community. Due to turbulent political situation and worsening law and order cultural activities had almost ceased. The threat of terrorists towards holding of any musical and cultural activity did a lot of damage. Thousands of people related to showbiz were affected. Many of them took loans to survive the drought of cultural activities. The art and cultural activities have revived in recent months but their volume is still low.
Should a new organisation for the welfare of artistes be established+  Perhaps there is no need to do so. The Pakistan National Council of Arts and the art councils across the country can be revamped. Currently the councils do help some artistes but the standard procedure needs to be improved. The help (amount of money) is decided on the whim of an official or minister. It would be better if the whole process could be made transparent and open to public so that there may not be any bad feeling among other artistes also seeking help. There should be no backdoor movement for helping the artiste meaning there should not be any favouritism.
God has blessed Pakistan with rich cultural heritage. We should be proud of our heritage and roots. Since art and culture were never priority of governments in the past a lot has been lost. We must salvage what is left of our heritage. Artistes are not only part of heritage but can also be the harbingers of positive changes for future. If they are in need we must not ignore them.

Minister Dr Tanveerul Islam
+ The talk that government is not doing enough for artistes welfare is rubbish. We are ready to help if somebody approaches us. Ever since I took over as minister we have not received even a single application seeking help. There is not even a single application pending. If any artiste needs special help we are ready to do that.
+ As regards medical treatment it is freely available in all public sector hospitals, which all have state of the art equipment and qualified doctors. The Punjab government is providing free dialysis treatment at all its hospitals. No artiste can claim to be ignored. Babu Baral was given free medical treatment at Sharif Medical Complex and other places. The government is keen to help all the artistes that are not well and are in need.
+ It is often seen that the artistes are careless in getting medical treatment. For example if they are on dialysis they do not conform to the prescribed medical procedure that is they would miss the dialysis dates. The result is that their urea cretinine increases to an alarming level and they suffer.
+ We are ready to help the artiste in any way that he needs. But first we should be informed about the situation. Giving statements in the press is not the right procedure. They should visit us or send their application in writing. We are ready to help them then.+

Mustafa Qureshi
+ It is often seen that when artistes are at the peak of their careers they earn a lot of money. They don+ t save anything for the rainy day. I personally know a number of artistes who earned a lot of money but did not save. Now they are facing a lot of problems.
+ If we talk about the deserving artistes, there is no doubt about the line of action that they should be helped. It is need of the hour that state should take initiative to establish such institutions that work for the artistes+  welfare. Art councils must also play due role in helping sick and needy artistes.
+ We have frequently organised shows and cricket matches to raise funds for deserving artistes. Things can be streamlined only if the federal cultural ministry at federal level could be established.
+ The government should play its due role and look into the problems of artistes community. But then the government has its own problems. We have about a hundred ministers and many people getting protocol. Among these hundred ministers we do not have a single person who is responsible for looking after our cultural front. The government should immediately appoint a federal minister for culture. The person appointed should know about the problems of artistes+  community. This would help in ironing out all the issues.+

Anwar Maqsood
+ One cannot expect anything from this government, which is full of actors and different characters. This is the reason they don+ t need to look after artistes. Artistes and masses are dying in their search for food but rulers are busy. They are interested in travelling around the world. Millions of dollars from the taxpayers+  money is spent on visits to other countries. A fraction of that spent here would save the artistes and art. Nobody including the parliamentarians would object to that.
+ The ongoing political drama with its dramatic twists and turns is providing entertainment to the masses. Perhaps the rulers have started considering themselves, as artistes and mimics and this could be the reason they are ignoring the real artistes.
+ No artiste has significance in the eyes of rulers. I think they perhaps do not even consider them as human beings. They are so busy that they do not have time to visit and inquire about the health of ailing artistes like Mehdi Hassan, Sharafat Ali Khan, Afzaal Ahmed and Hamayun Qureshi. It would have been better that they had done so. It is all very sad. This is very sad and should not be done such like that.
+ It is high time the government stopped being indifferent to the issues of government and took steps to ensure welfare of artistes. It is the duty of government to recognise the importance of art and artistes.+

Ustad Sharafat Ali Khan
Son of legendary singer Ustad Salamat Ali Khan and father of new pop sensation Shujaat Ali Khan, has performed in many countries. His mellifluous voice and deep understanding of classical music is remarkable. He is suffering from multiple problems including renal failure. He urgently needs help. He has become so weak that he can hardly talk. His son Shujaat and his family are extremely worried.
+ Papa is in depression. Nobody from the Punjab Arts Council, Lahore Arts Council, federal ministry of culture or the Punjab cultural ministry has contacted us. News about my father+ s illness have been aired on TV channels and printed in newspapers. However, no one from these institutions meant for promoting arts bothered to visit or even call him. It is so shameful how the artistes are treated in their last days. It is high time the rulers pay attention to the problems of artistes.
+ My father devoted his life for music. He has many disciples, who love him like a father. It is unbearable to see him lying helpless and without any hope. The only solution to his disease is that he may get a new kidney through transplant. This is only possible if the government ends its indifference and help us. We appeal to the president of Pakistan, prime minister and Punjab chief minister to help the wonderful classical singer in his time of need.+

Babbu Baral
The theatre star has been performing across the globe for over three decades. Now he is not well. He faces the most difficult time of his life. He is suffering from renal failure. His fans from across the country have shown concern. A number of artistes in Karachi raised funds for him and expressed their solidarity. But he needs a lot more support.
+ Artistes are the pride of nations. They build country+ s soft image in the world. Singers Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Madam Noor Jahan and cricket star Imran Khan did it. Artistes always work to promote cultural and traditional values. They are the people who protect the heritage.
+ The art councils and other institutions are doing nothing for the welfare of artistes. The artistes are real heroes of the nation. During World War II French rulers saved all the artistes first. Artistes are role models. People follow their dialogues and gestures. They start copying them in their daily lives.
+ Artistes all over the world are treated with respect and honour. In other countries roads are named after popular local artistes. There have been many great artistes in our country. Can anyone point out roads named after artistes+  Old artistes and those who do not get work in theatre, TV or films due to old age should be helped by the state.+

Kanwal
+ The infrastructure of institutions to ensure implementation of welfare projects for artistes does not exist. The working of government departments in the past was pathetic. I have been struggling to help deserving artistes. I have established an NGO + Dreams Welfare Society+ . It has 150 members who generate funds through different activities. The NGO aims at ending poverty and facilitating the artistes. It is the basic right of the artistes+  children to get quality education and jobs in civil services. We are striving to ensure that because it is their right that artistes children get best education and good jobs.
+ I am working to sanction quota in the civil services for the artistes children. Artiste must be accommodated at good posts. Government and civil society must take initiatives to support poor artistes. In the past many artistes have died in poverty and due to very ailments. It is unfortunate that a number of artistes are not getting quality medical treatment. We are looking into the deserving cases and would definitely take up the issue at all forums and all levels.
+ We are working on creating political awareness about the problems and issues related to the artistes community. Like other sections of society the artistes too need attention of government. It is, however, unfortunate that artistes+  community has been ignored in the past. I am very optimist about the future. Things would definitely improve.+

Jawad Ahmed
+ Nations cannot survive if there is no social and economic justice. Here in Pakistan people from all walks of life are unable to get their proper wages. Majority of people live from hand to mouth all their lives. How can you expect them to afford hefty medicine bills in old age+  It is not just artistes+  problem. It is problem of every person in the society. There is need to revamp the whole structure of society.
+ If we talk about the government working there is no institution meant for welfare of artistes and masses. Government has to take this matter seriously because artistes bring accolades for the country when they perform abroad. When they perform across the country they motivate the people positively and entertain them. The government should ensure that funds are available for the welfare of artistes and their families. Medical treatment facilities should be given to everyone irrespective of caste, colour or creed. I would pray for the rulers that Allah Almighty may show them the right path and give them chance to help the masses.

+ Nations grow and develop only when all sections of society get equal opportunity to excel in every field. The artistes+  community like other sections of society has the right to grow and develop. They must also get social and economic justice.+

Comedian Nisar Butt
He has lost a lot of weight after suffering from multiple diseases for more than two years.
+ I have been performing for four decades. I did my work with devotion and never went for money. I have performed in many countries of the world. But now when I am not well there is no public or private sector institution to help me. Applications for help have been sent to the Punjab chief minister, Punjab ministry of culture, Lahore Arts Council and Punjab Arts Council. There has been no response. I have lost all hope. It is all very disappointing. You spend your life entertaining people and end up in deplorable conditions.
+ Our culture minister knows nothing about culture. He is no a person related to art and culture. He fails to appreciate the working of different artistes. Government should look into every citizen+ s problem including those of artistes. There is nothing better than the action of spending taxpayer+ s money for saving the life of an artiste. I have no expectation from the current rulers.
+ I need urgent medical treatment. I do not have enough money for that. I am weak and cannot perform in shows. It is all very disheartening, as no one from the performing arts has shown concern. All my appeals have fallen on deaf ears. May Allah Almighty soften their hearts and they do what is their duty.
#

COURTESY: Originally published in The Nation.