Feature: Indian Classical Music Artists request Finance Minister

From the implementation of GST, the tickets for Indian Classical music programs is applied 28% GST and the artists have 18% GST on their performance fees. Troubled by this all the Artists have written a letter to Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley expressing their concerns and requesting the removal of GST on Indian Classical Music.

Mr. Surendra Mohite of SaVaNi Musical Events took the initiative and prepared a letter which was signed by Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Dr.N. Rajam, Dr. Prabha Atre, Taalyogi Pandit Suresh Talwalkar, Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar, Pandit Rajan Mishra, Pandit Sajan Mishra and Pandit Vijay Ghate. This letter was given to the Finance Minister by Mr. Surendra Mohite, Taalyogi Pandit Suresh Talwalkar and Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar.

The audience for Indian Classical Music is a middle class man, so over and about the ticket rates he is financially incapable to pay 28% GST. To conduct these programs the organizers are operating at heavy losses and eventually shelling out money from their own pockets. Even the Artists are not spared and have to pay 18% GST for every program done by them. Due to this problem faced by the artists, the audience as well as the organizers, the already diminishing number of Indian Classical programs will definitely reach an end, and this is the biggest concern expressed in the letter.

"The Indian Classical Music Artists of our country will be going to meet the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi next month along with a copy of this letter given to the Finance Minister" said Mr. Surendra Mohite.