More than 5,000 traditional artistes primarily associated with folk media in Sundargarh district are waiting for pension under the Mukhyamantri Kalakar Sahayata Yojana (MKSY), while above 7,000 fresh applications are pending consideration.

After the Mukhyamantri Kalakar Sahayat Yojana Rules 2018 were formulated, the Odia Language, Literature & Culture department regularly invites applications from poor traditional artistes for the monthly assistance.

Reliable sources in the Culture department informed that about 47,700 artistes are currently on the rolls to receive the allowance across Odisha, including around 2,200 from Sundargarh.

Meanwhile, about 5,334 more traditional artistes have cleared the final scrutiny to be eligible for the allowance but continue to wait for the monthly pension. Sources said the department last invited applications in December 2024, and over 7,000 fresh applications were received from across Sundargarh.

The applications would be taken up for scrutiny after receiving district-specific targets from the department, sources said, adding that these would be scrutinized, followed by auditions of artistes, after which the district-level committee will finalize the eligible candidates.

Sundargarh has a rich heritage of folk art including Pala, Daskathia, tribal dance, and song among other things, with the traditional artistes spread across all 17 blocks of the district. Most of these artistes are poor and primarily depend on performing traditional art forms for their livelihood. With earnings from traditional art performances not sufficient for sustenance, they also engage in agricultural activities and other odd jobs.