25 November,2010 06:57 AM IST | | Urvashi Seth
Online campaign against high entertainment tax on live performances, kicking small-time musicians out of jobs, garners the support of high-profile musicians
A day after city's live performers of music launched the Facebook campaign 'Pls don't kill live music' against the government's new entertainment tax policy which has left many of them out of a job, it boasts the backing of renowned musicians in the city and sympathisers of the cause.
Louis Banks, also known as the Godfather of Indian Jazz, is one. Speaking to MiD DAY, Banks said, "It is very unfortunate that our industry is suffering such a setback. I will be supporting the musicians.
Jazz legend Louis Banks has come out in support of the musicians
We will hire a lawyer who can fight on our behalf and make a strong presentation to the government. We are hopeful that the new government listens to our grievances before our musicians become jobless."
Going online
The online campaign seeks the support of music lovers and musicians the world over. Along with it, a signature campaign by harried musicians was also launched the day before. As reported by MiD DAY ('No high notes this New Year'), many musicians have been laid off or their gigs have been cancelled because hotels say they cannot afford to pay the huge entertainment tax a live performance now accompanies.
The owner of Soul Fry restaurant in Bandra, Meldan D'cunha, was issued a show cause notice to pay for live music the restaurant played. D'cunha was compelled to stop the service. About the campaign, he said, "Within 24 hours we received about 196 supporters on Facebook.
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Yesterday, we just had 12. I am happy to receive such a huge response from music lovers. We have decided to rope in renowned artistes who will support us in this moment."
'It's our culture'
One of the loyal adherents of the project Joseph Alwaris, a Jazz-rock vocalist, bed-ridden because of a slipped disc, was similarly concerned.
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"Music is part of our culture. Without the support of hotels, we won't be able to make an impact on the industry. We will jointly work with hotels and musicians. Though I am bedridden I will hand my support to all the musicians. The industry needs to survive," Alwaris said.
"For the past three years, our industry is observing a setback thanks to tax that the government has levied on private concerts.
Sponsorship for the events too has gone down leading an impact to the music industry. Now the government wants to enter hotels and target small musicians which will be the end of the music era in a city like Mumbai, known for its nightlife and music," grumbled Anil Chopra, founder of Indian Musical Merchants Association (IMMA).
Chopra added the sale of music instruments would also be affected if musicians are taxed like that.
"The government does not know what it is doing. It is a horrendous situation," he said.
Musicians, along with IMMA, launched a signature campaign against the tax structure, which they plan to send to the Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat, requesting him to scrap the entire tax.
The Other Side
Suburban Collector Nirmal Kumar Deshmukh said, "We will be forwarding the hotel associations' demand to reduce the tax amount. The call will be taken by the ministry, not by us. We were waiting for the new government to form and now we will forward the appeal to them."
On the radio waves
The campaign has reached the radio too. 'Live music bachao', a day-long on-air campaign on 94.3 Radio One today, will have radio jockey Hrishi K talk to musicians, restaurants, owners, journalists and public figures, to garner support for the cause.
