00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:05 The COVID-19-led travel restrictions
00:07 had worsened the situation for the tourism industry.
00:09 Those who had survived were the ones technologically advanced.
00:12 As for the ones who weren't, such as the Rajasthani folk
00:15 performers, whose primary source of income
00:17 depended on tourism, their livelihoods
00:19 were severely affected.
00:20 With a view to provide a safe and a responsible alternative
00:23 for folk artists to earn a living by performing live,
00:25 virtually in the prolonged difficult times,
00:27 Atun was born.
00:28 Atun, which translates as West in the local Marwari language,
00:32 aims to preserve the Rajasthani folk music and its artists
00:34 by sustaining their passion for music, culture, and heritage.
00:37 The journey was not always this easy.
00:39 It was tough to reach artists in the remote, unsupported network
00:42 areas, or for the matter, explain
00:43 the technicalities pertaining to network and audiovisual
00:45 quality.
00:46 But it was all worth it.
00:47 While the artists performed live,
00:49 their personal UPI QR code is continuously
00:51 flashed on screen for the audience to pay as they like,
00:53 directly to the performers.
00:55 So far, from its 14 sessions, it has
00:57 impacted the lives of more than 30 performers,
00:59 helping them earn a cumulative INR 25,000
01:02 in exchange of offering a virtual live session
01:04 to the audience.
01:05 With a zeal to be vocal for the local,
01:07 Atun's journey has been and will continue
01:09 to be a journey of hopes, passions,
01:10 and empowering stories.
01:13 (upbeat music)
01:15 (upbeat music)
Comments