Summary of this article

Accompanists in Indian classical music often face low pay, backstage discrimination, and lack of recognition.

Prominent main artists can improve conditions by insisting on fair treatment and proper accommodation for their co-artists.

Despite improvements, challenges like gender bias, publicity neglect, and inadequate travel arrangements persist.

Many years ago, the iconic Ustad Zakir Hussain, arguably the most influential musician in India for the last fifty years, was commissioned to accompany a senior instrumentalist at the house of an industrialist in Mumbai. When he arrived, he was guided to the servants' entrance and asked to wait with them till the concert commenced. After the concert, he was again led to the back entrance to eat with the servants. Of cour

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