It`s been a depressing month for the film fraternity as one of the popular names of Pakistani cinema, Chakori, passed away. Many in the industry were already worried about Shamim Ara who`s been in coma for the last couple of days.
Shamim Ara, with histrionic skills and fairly impressive direction, has a great contribution to the film industry. She was the most celebrated heroine of 1960`s as she performed in a number of films.
Chakori had made out a name for herself for her performance in Punjabi and Sindhi films. She had multiple medical complications which led to her death. Like many others in the field, she was hurt by the indifference of the Ministry of Culture and cultural institutions supposed to patronise art and artistes in the country.
In one of her interviews with a private TV channel some months ago, Chakori deplored the role of the culture ministry for being “indifferent to the needs of poor artistes”. She in a subtle way drew attention of the quarters concerned towards her financial difficulties.
The ministry must have a list of such artistes who have contributed a great deal to the performing arts and set aside a generous fund for them. Chakori`s son, Asad Kafi, told this correspondent that PML-N MPA Farah Deeba had promised them Rs100,000 but it did not materialise.
What the fact is the government is not taking any interest in the welfare of artistes. The federal government used to give Rs500,000 or so to the Punjab Council of Arts for the welfare of the artistes but no such fund had been released for the last three years. Those occupying the highest offices need to understand that artistes are an asset to any country and must be taken care of.
Via: Dawn News
Hah