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Artists: Battling Corruption, Nepotism and Financial Hardships

Artists in India face numerous challenges, from financial burdens and nepotism to insufficient government support and exploitation. In this story, many artists speak up for the less privileged in their community.

By Sagnik Majumder and Nihal Kumar
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Artists in our country lead lives fraught with challenges, rarely highlighted by the media. Corruption and nepotism cast long shadows over their world, creating numerous obstacles. Without financial means or influential connections, many talented artists, both young and old, find themselves struggling against these entrenched issues.

The Harsh Reality of Freelance Artists

Vimal Chand, an artist from Delhi who creates nature-inspired paintings sheds light on a harsh reality: for freelance artists in India, the struggle is immense. "Art is not a necessity for the common man. It depends on the interest of those who want to purchase the work. Interested people will only buy their preferred artists’ work," he explains.

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Vimal further elaborates on the difficulties faced by freelance artists. "It’s not like all freelance artists are able to sell their work. If freelance artists don’t have a stable source of income, they will have difficulty earning a living by just selling paintings for survival. It’s difficult for freelance artists to reach the buyer because the buyer goes to a gallery," he says.

Even hosting an exhibition comes with uncertainties. "Even when you pay and host an exhibition, you can’t still be sure if a buyer would come or not. It depends on how much you have mailed them or informed them; if they have time, they will respond, but there is no certainty," he explains.

According to Vimal, galleries offer a better option. "If a gallery connects with you and you share your work with them, the gallery will reach out to the buyer, help you sell your work, and you will get pai

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