Bhajan, folk artistes to take out long march to press their demands in Tirupati

Tirupati: Janapadavruthi Kalakarula Sangham is planning to organise a Pada Yatra (long march) of traditional Bhajan and folk artistes from Srikalahasti to TTD Administrative building in Tirupati, to demand the TTD management to implement the order issued for their benefit.

The march will start on 21st September at Srikalahasti temple and culminate in a protest meeting at TTD administrative building on September 23 covering a distance of about 40 km.

Speaking to media here on Wednesday, the sangham's state general secretary Pulimamidi Yadagiri said that they had submitted several representations and there was no response. They have decided to take up indefinite fast and organising a long march. TTD had issued orders three years back agreeing the demands of Bhajan troupe artistes, but so far it was not implemented, he said.

TTD engage Bhajan troupes from AP, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and other states to stage programmes including traditional Bhajans, rendering Sankirtnas etc. during the festivals being conducted in Tirumala and also in other temples under the control of TTD.

A separate Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad (HDPP) with sufficient fundswas set up to organise the devotional programmes. But the Bhajan artistes are being ignored, lamented.

The demands include payment of actual bus fare, providing musical instruments to the temples where the Bhajan troupes are based, payment of Rs 300 per day for the artistes etc.