IMPACT OF COVID-19 AMONG THE INDIAN CLASSICAL ARTISTS - AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

Covid-19 is an ongoing pandemic worldwide that started in the year 2019 in the city of Wuhan China. As the spread of this virus was rapid, people were suggested to wear masks and maintain social distance to avoid the same. This fell like a big challenge in a country like India with a high density of population. The number of restrictions and lockdowns affected the livelihood of almost all the professions. The artist community was one among them. This study aims at understanding the impact of the above-mentioned situation on the Indian Traditional Artist community. An online survey was conducted through Google Forms and collected responses using the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI) questionnaire from 188 artists along with other demographical and professional details. This study shows that the artist community underwent a considerable amount of distress, with creative block being the topmost difficulty faced, followed by financial and Health issues (Physically and mentally). The study also shows that the digitalization of the Art form has been well accepted and adapted, leading to the opening of new boundaries to the traditional art forms of India.