KOLKATA: At a time when authors, historians and performing artists are openly criticizing the central government for its alleged religious intolerance, vocalist Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty expressed hopes on Prime Minister Narendra Modi .

Chakraborty had his first meeting with Modi in New Delhi in the last week of October. Stalwarts from the arena of performing arts, such as Pandit Birju Maharaj , Vidushi Aruna Sairam and Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt , were also present on the occasion. Chakraborty said that he took the opportunity to brief the Prime Minister about the concerns of the culture world. Talking to TOI, he expressed hope that the meeting would have a positive impact in art and culture.

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Speaking on the ‘AwardWapsi’ controversy that recently rocked the culture world, the Padmra Shri-recipient vocalist said, “Even if I feel sad, who do I return the award to? The award has been given to me by the government. Our government is of the people, by the people and for the people. Returning the award will become an exercise of returning it to myself.”

Some days ago, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan said that writers and artistes who were returning their awards were not “mad” but were pained to see the prevailing situation in the country. Speaking on this, however, Chakraborty said, “I don’t want to get into such discussions. He is a great musician while I am an ordinary person. I believe that my only contribution to this nation will be through my work.”

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He further said, “Our meeting with Modiji lasted for 30 minutes. We came up with various suggestions. I have always felt that music should be taught to school students as part of their curricula to help in their overall development. He suggested that one song be chosen that school students across the country can sing.”

At least ten plans on how to propagate art and culture were mooted at the meeting.

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“We spoke about using signboards on highways to let people know about the musical heritage of the country. The highway leading to Varanasi can mention that it’s a place of Tulsidas and Ustad Bismillah Khan. The PM had not made any commitments but had agreed to think about the issues,” Chakraborty said.

Chakraborty had resigned from Sangeet Natak Akademi five years ago. “However, it was on the insistence of the new chairman Shekhar Sen that I agreed to come on board again. He even took me and Shivji (Pandit Shivkumar Sharma) to information and broadcasting minister Arun Jaitley for a meeting. The meeting was very positive,” he said.

