The show must go on: Performance artists struggle as gigs go online

Due to the lockdown, artists are turning to online shows but the concept of online concerts are still at a nascent stage making survival difficult for many

In the second week of April, a bunch of independent musicians livestreamed their performances on Instagram and Facebook for an online event called Kerplunk, with an appeal to the audience to donate. The campaign was organised by Kaushik Barua and Vikram Singh Kushwaha, founders of Qrated, a community organisation that promotes independent artists and musicians.

The lineup included over 50 musicians and the event fetched about Rs 1.50 lakh, a meagre amount that was distributed among the performers. A few decided to forego their share for those who desperately needed the money. “Some musicians didn’t even have the money to