Trumpet blowing ₹12 crore pending bills: Telangana artistes demand unpaid wages for performing at government events

Artists stage a protest at Ravindra Bharathi in Hyderabad on September 17, 2026. | Photo credit: Nagara Gopal

Ravi Kumar of Amberpet in Hyderabad has seen Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy several times up close in the last three years. He has also performed for Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It would be almost impossible or simply bland if the likes of Kumar didn’t come in their best attire, blow the trumpet, play the rhythmic dappa or perform the Gussadi. Be it Independence Day, a VIP visit, a state event or an anniversary event, their absence would not be welcome. But behind the beat and spectacle captured in photographs, newspapers and social media are the wages owed to them by the state government.

Kumar has still not been paid for his performance two years ago. The accumulated amount owed to him is about ₹30,000. And there are several thousand workers like him across the state.

Artistes of various Telangana art forms staged a protest demonstration outside the office of the Ministry of Language and Culture in Hyderabad on Thursday (September 17, 2026) demanding the release of unpaid wages | Video Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

On Thursday (September 17, 2026), the Ministry of Language and Culture witnessed a vibrant atmosphere with artists blowing trumpets and beating dappa, some performing janapadas and Gussadi artists swaying in their headdresses made of peacock feathers. But it was a protest demonstration of sorts, until department head Anugu Narsimha Reddy came forward to interrupt their performance and speak to them.

According to Mr. Reddy, the total bills owed to artistes is ₹11.91 crore. All bills have been uploaded and passed to the Pay & Accounts Office as well. We are now waiting for the funds to be released by the finance department.

“These are not huge amounts, but many bills range from ₹20,000 to ₹30,000. This matter has been discussed rigorously in all meetings and we hope that the funds will be released by the end of this month,” he said.

But for Ravi Kumar and about 50 other protesters, the delay was discouraging. Artists are said to be giving up their traditional art forms and making a living from local businesses such as selling vegetables and selling coconuts and even working for daily wages.

“₹11.91 crore is a very small problem for the government but it is a big problem for us. They don’t understand it. Many artistes are discouraged from performing further and some perform just to collect fees. This is very sad,” Kumar said.

Published – 17 Sep 2026 20:22 IST