Is Puppetry Consider as a profession?
Zinnia Sheikh Sub-Edited by Ahmed Kalam Abdullah, Arnab Islam, Atoshi Ahmed
“The financial benefits have not reached that level
and in future it will not reach that level too so the beginning was only hobby
and till now it is my hobby,” said Al Amin, coordinator of ‘JOLPUTUL PUPPET’
with an aggressive voice.
According to Al Amin, “It is tough to lead a life as a
puppet operator in Bangladesh perspective at least in Dhaka city. I can only
effort my pocket money as a puppet operator. If I can not do tuition as an
alternative I can operate a puppet. It is like that. If I do tuition I will get
2000 to 2500 taka. So it is like I am playing with child also earning some
money.”
Someone can not only take Puppetry as a
profession. “To maintain a family this kind of situation is not create yet. In
Dhaka city it is not possible. The original puppet artists are from outside of
Dhaka or there have many short teams. Every year they have performed puppet
dance in Nattoshala. They also could not profit enough. Our culture has not
reach that level,” he said.
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Handmade puppet
made by Ice cream stick
Photo- Zinnia Sheikh
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He also said that He had started his Carrier at Eight
years ago. Prothom Alo Published a Bornamala on 21st February. He
did a puppet show and that was my first work. At first he had played two main
characters those were Red and Yellow. JOLPUTUL Puppet was trying to telecast the
show as a cartoon on television from 2012. The financial condition has not
changed so much. So the total economic condition had not changed in eight
years. His personal identity had changed because he operate the puppet but not
for the money. JOLPUTUL members had managed the money and took an office. They
have invested their own money for the office. He would make a cartoon by Coma
screen but the possibility for the profit is uncertain.
The funding for the puppet show is not satisfactory. It is consider as one of the traditional
entertainments of our country. But day by day it is disappeared for the
funding. He stated, “An organization have called us for the work. They said puppet
is a very artistic work and you are very talented. Organizations have not
invested enough. We have inspired by his words and decided to do its work. When
he said how much money you need to do this work? Normally to set a new production we need 45000
taka only for one story. We had not demanded 40000 taka only for his work. I
have already reduced 5000 taka. He said we do not have that much big fund try
to consider more. I asked how much money you can invest. He said probably 10000
taka. I have watched him and think this is your artistic thought and your
respect for the artist. That mean we are expressing something else but when it
comes about the fund than the scenario has been changed.”
According to him, “I have demanded on the basis of the
event. I am demanding 25000 taka for the birthday party. If they agree then I
do the work but if they do not agree then I cannot disrespect my work. I am
happy to do work for street child. This is enough for me. I am working under
the institute. So I have to pay money to my coworkers. This distribution is not
enough actually. If previous month I have paid someone 2000 taka then the next
month I have paid him 3000 taka. So there’s no fix income. We were waiting 3
months for one show.”
Puppet show loses its popularity day by day. He noted
that he had followed ‘Moner Katha’ by Mastofa Monwar. They need 50000 taka to
make one character but they did not have much budget so they have tried their
level best to create a character. They need plastic ball, spin, Table tennis
ball, cloth, Plastic bottle etc. to make an each character. He had spent 2
months for draw an each character. They need 15000 taka to make an each character.
If he demanded 15000 taka to the producer they have laughed at him and thought he
is fraud. They thought they can buy a barbie doll on 15000 taka. He has made
three realistic character of Scotland president for the Scotland election but the
Producer did not pay any money for the work. So the work was non profitable.
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Handmade Realistic
puppet
photo- Zinnia Sheikh
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“We have socks puppet, talking puppet, rod puppet. We
have to make the new character and also pay the office rent. We have to pay
25000 taka monthly for the office rent also. We have the other organization
which is ‘JOLOJ MOVIE’. We have produced short film, documentary, advertisement
from ‘JOLOJ MOVIE’ for support the ‘JOLPUTUL PUPPET’. Puppet show is not enough
for the office rent. We do not like to watch our own production cartoon. We
love to watch Hindi cartoon, Daub cartoon. So our puppet show is losing its
popularity. We have a show on Channel I. They did not pay enough money for the
show. We had continuously worked on two nights. They had paid only 40000 taka to
our 4 group members. This price is also not adequate to make one character. The
new strategy is we will open a You tube channel and upload puppet show. We will
make serial for the puppet show and for the serial we are writing script. If
any producer reveal interest for the puppet show then it will beneficial for
us,” He explained
“UCUB Bank advertisement UCASH was our height big
budget work. We have earned 2,00,000 lakes through this project. We need at
least 1, 00, 000 to 1,20,000 lake taka to create a production. The cost for
making a drama and a puppet show is almost same. Only Human vocal uses for the
puppet show so this is the main difference. Almost every television and You
Tube channels thought that Puppet show is so cheap. They have offered very low budget
for a puppet show. They do not understand that we need to do background animation,
Graphics works, set up a Coma screen for a puppet show. They can not give us
the proper respect. So it is better to work for the street child. We are
teaching them how to make a puppet with bottle, cloths and other cheap
elements. We are operating a free puppet show for them. When they smile it is
enough for us,” Al Amin said with a victory smile.
Puppet Show is one of the Bangladeshi Art. There was a
time when puppet operator renowned for their profession. Day by day puppet
operator lost the financial benefits because of its popularity. But it is our
art and people can earn through the puppet show. We should save our art.
Do You Like To Color Your Body?
Atoshi Ahmed
Sub-Edited by Zinnia Sheikh, Arnab Islam, Ahmed Kalam Abdullah
·
The
tattoos on the history of the world for thousands of years old but not too old
in the perspective of Bangladesh. Tattoo business in Bangladesh is very new and
still it’s not that popular business among the people or even the artists whom
have the ability to work as a tattoo artist. There aren't so many artists whom
are involved in this business. In Bangladesh tattoo business is still not that
acceptable as other businesses. The popularity of tattoo or having a tattoo on
body is increasing among the all kind of peoples as well as the Young stars but
still this business Can not see the path of light!
Tattoo is a bit expensive artwork. This is one of
the reasons why the tattoo artists can not get enough clients. Maximum time
Peoples from middle class or lower middle class often can not do tattoos
because of its high prices. The other big reason of not accepting tattoo
business is our religion. People can not do tattoo, sometimes they want so but
can not because of the fear of religion.
“Peoples from every class of our society came to me
for tattoo. As tattoo is a bit expensive so they choose such kind of designs
that is suitable for them or reasonable for them. The cost of tattoo is always
depends on its size, color and the design of it," Said Moni Ahmed who
worked as a tattoo artist for last few years.
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Different
tattoos have different meaning.
Photo- Collected |
According to
him, “Most of the tattoo artists whose are now professionals, at first they
started doing tattoo on their own body then they started doing it on others.
But I do not have any. In our country parents did not allow tattoo for their
son or daughter and the main reason is our religion. But still people are doing
tattoos. They choose certain places which they don't need to show to their
families." He also added that "when i started tattoo i never thought
that someday i will take this as a profession. Because doing tattoo is always
my hobby, my passion but when i saw that my friends started telling me that I
am good at it i started to charge for it."
Every business needs a capital to start so do
tattoo business. It’s not necessary to have lots of money to start this
business. "When i started my business my capital was about 20 to 30
thousands. I got all my necessary equipment like tattoo gun, colors, needles
with this amount of money. My studio is in my house so I did not have to pay
extra money for this," Said Moni Ahmed
“When i started my tattoo business my capital was
30 thousands. It took 25 thousands for the whole set up like the equipment and
rest were use for the decoration of my studio which is in my house." Said Arnob
Farhan, another tattoo artist of
Bangladesh.
The cost of
the equipment which is necessary for tattoo is depends on the quality of it.
The necessary equipment can not be found in Bangladesh. It has to export from
other countries where tattoo business is very popular. "A tattoo gun can
cost 2 thousands to 1.5 lakh. The full set up can cost from 10 to 12 thousands
to 4 or 5 lacks and the colors cost will depends on its quality," He
added.
"Tattoo was just a hobby for me! But as times going
i thought that i could take this as my profession. When I started doing tattoo
I was a student of East West University. I had to drop my semester for a tattoo
course which I have done in Thailand. It was a one month course. It cost me
around 40k Baths. This tattoo school introduced me with so many international
artists that helped me in my career," Said Fuad Hassan, renowned tattoo
artist of Bangladesh.
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Can Tattoo
have a good future in Bangladesh?
Photo-collected |
"I had opened my first tattoo studio at 2012
with a partner at Panthopath. It name Venom Tattoo Studio. It cost me around
2.5 lakh to open a studio. Booking money for the studio was 1 lakh and other
decoration costs around 1.5 lakhs. I had my previous equipment which cost
almost 1 lakh," He added.
"I have two tattoos on my body. One is on my
leg and other is on my hand. I did my first tattoo on my leg. My leg tattoo
cost four thousands and the hand's one cost five thousands which i did a few
months back. In Bangladesh, yes tattoo is a bit costly especially for us
students. Bit still I am happy that now there are amazing tattoo artists in our
country which is good for tattoo lovers like us," Said Progga Noshin, student
of ULAB.
"At first i had done the tattoo in 2011. One of my friend just learned how
to do a tattoo. It was free of cost i just gave the cost of ink. You can say it
was an experiment actually. At that time i actually didn't understand what's
the impact is going to be. I wanted to do a tattoo on my hand but the design
which i was looking for it wasn't that one. It was different. My family members
couldn't able to find out about it because i had always tried to hide it till
2013. I was able to do that because i used to live in Dhaka n rarely visited
them but in 2013 i became sick n health condition was so bad. At that time my
father noticed it. He couldn't react because i was sick. I started to recover
it in 2016 I meet a tattoo artist doing a new tattoo cost six thousands.
But according to our society n religion i have listened that it's forbidden,
prohibited. My prayers are not going to be accepted by Allah. Now I don't even
care anymore," said Rahat Kabir student of ULAB from MSJ department.
"In Bangladesh there is no fixed line-up for
charging a tattoo. It depends on the artist that how he or she wants to charge
and what basis. But as our neighbour countries like Nepal, Thailand they cost
tattoo as the basis of hours. So most of artists of Bangladesh also cost tattoo
as per hour or inch of the design. For me it depends on the dimension and the
design when i charge a tattoo," Said Moni Ahmed.
He also added that the things he noticed when he
charge a tattoo is how much time it will take and how big the design is. For a
2 to 2.5 inch tattoo he cost minimum 5 thousands and there is no maximum
amount of money i cost. It always depends on the time and the design.
"It is possible for a tattoo artist to bear
the expenses of a family even if it’s the only profession. It is not hard for a
good artist to income 1.5 to 2 lakhs in a month by doing tattoo. I am able to
earn almost 1 to 1.5 lakh in a month. So if the tattoo business increase in
Bangladesh it will be a great opportunity for us tattoo artists. If the tattoo
gets more popular among the people it will be a great workplace for us,"
Said Arnob Farhan.
Some artists cost tattoo only the basis of time.
"In Thailand, Nepal they cost tattoos as per hour. They cost 3k for one
hour. In our country 90 Percent clients are the new for tatttoo. So i cost
tattoo 5 thousands for two hours. And of course it depends on the designs as
well," Said Fuad Hasan.
Temporary tattoo is more famous than permanent one.
People are more interested to do temporary tattoo than permanent tattoo. “Temporary
tattoo is just the work of airbrush. I bought the temporary colors from U.S.A.
people wants to do temporary tattoo more. The pressure of doing temporary
tattoo increased in the occasions like Eid. The costing of temporary tattoo
starts from two to three thousands," Artist Fuad Hasan explained.
Tattoo business can help in the economy of
Bangladesh if the government declare this business legal. “In 2013 I went to
Nepal for a concert. As we all know Nepal is a very small country and their
currency is poor than Bangladesh. Tourism is one of most important way of
survive. There I saw that tattoo is one of most important business of theirs.
In a road there were almost six to seven open tattoo stores or studios. As
tattoo is an art, so there is a slight influence in every countries culture in
it. If someday Bangladesh's tourism business improved and If Bangladeshi
government declare tattoo as a legal business, maybe it can be possible that
this business will improve the economy of Bangladesh. Tourists can be able to draw Bangladesh's
culture on their bodies. And it will help to increase the foreign currency,” said Moni Ahmed.
Tattoos have survived for thousands of years. All
the tattoo artists of Bangladesh have hoped that even if not today the
popularity of tattoo will increase someday in Bangladesh. And the path for the
newcomers will smooth and this profession will be acceptable to all.
The Struggle Of New Musician
ZinniaSheikh
Sub-Edited by Ahmed Kalam Abdullah, Arnab Islam, Atoshi Ahmed
Entertainment
consider as a part of business competition today. Music industry has a huge
competition in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi music Industry is renowned for the
popular musician but there are very few new musicians who have popularity. Young
artist faces so much pressure to establish his or her music career. Young
musicians are very talented but they treated much neglected and cheap musician
in Bangladesh. The easy equation stands that if an young artist invest his
money and time on this industry then he can get the priority and popularity. Talent
is not considering as a highest priority.
Music industry actually controlled by the syndication this is the main reason behind the struggle of the new musician. If
someone has a strong reference through the relatives then he or she can easily
build up the career as a musician of this industry. Music industry demands a
strong family reference or syndication reference because they can invest a lot
of this industry too. Young artists actually demotivate to take the music as a
profession.
“Institution background demotivates the young artist. Institute teach us
to take the music as a hobby from the beginning. You can not take it as a
profession. There are two way to became establish as a musician either they are
financially establish from the beginning then got musician or they became
musician and establish then got the other stuff. Everyone wants to earn money
because of the competition. No one wants to stay only as a musician because it
is risky. A musician also involve with the other professions too either they can
not survive because we do not know what will be our tomorrow," said Syed
Nafis, New Young music director of L.M.G Beats.
“The main reason is our music market became a syndicate basis. If I know
you then I can only support you or if I have a musician in my family then I am
doing music by this reference. They do not give a shit what the musician
produced. They will just see the hype. Actually level decides the trend. The
trend should be on the flow of the talent but the trends actually decide by the
audiences. They do not prefer the talent and give the main priority on the
family preferences, family references or syndicator references. The full market
is basis on the background not the talent," He added.
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Singing a
song in channel I
photo- collected
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According to him, “Back in 2010 I have started doing my first album. I
have 5 songs with my own lyrics. The main struggle starts from my family. I was
a good student so my family always claims that why music. When they saw that I
took it seriously from this they were giving me huge pressure to stop the music.
Ultimately they believed that music has no future. My mom use to say that you need
to invest money then you will get something through this music industry. It was
impossible for my family to invest money. I have to earn my own money around
five hundred taka to teach the guitar on class seven. So at the very early age
I had involved on this music industry. Suddenly I offered to compose an album. I
have invested so much time for making the first album composition. I have written
the lyrics, directed the music. Also tune and composed the song but after
realising the album I got no credit. I did not earn single money the composition.
I have left to work with them."
“I have started work with L.M.G beats on 2010. I am working here on classical
to rock for seven years. So the earning struggle is same. If I am doing a
composition then I am earning if I am not doing any composition then I am not
earning. The earning started from two thousands and last its use to get good
line of eight thousands. There are many singers who can not sing but I am
composing his song through the auto tune because talent has no value today. He
became popular because he can invest money to the composer. I got around fifty
thousand from this singer. This is the highest payment of my career. Second big
payment was thirty thousand from another an aunty. So when I get project I earn
but if I do not get project I do not earn. I have to think other alternative
option. In the middle I was working as a radio jokey for earning. I have to
work as a radio jokey because I need to earn and I have to promote myself
because I do not have any references. Arnob came from an artistic family and he
was financially strong so he does not have any tension to establish himself. He
is doing an experimental song and people are accepting this. I am also doing an
experimenting song but people will not accept me because I do not have any
strong background. Promotion is a crucial thing. You need to promote yourself
either you can not get popularity. You also need to hire a good journalist for
yourself. So everything is connected with money. If you have money you will get
the platform but if you do not have money you will not get platform," He explained.
“Basically if are a vocal artist you need four basic instruments for the
music because those are supporting your vocal. The instruments are guitar, piano,
Tanpoora and harmonium. To buy each instrument you need invest ten thousand
maximum. If you are starting music as a profession then you need at least two
lakhs for it because of the studio, software collection and good PC to set up a
good studio. At the same time the artist have paid to get work and also release
the album. Even we have to pay fifty thousand for release our first album. Industry
needs to search singer through your talent but actually the singer is searching
to release the album by the money. The industry claims that we are new so we
have not paid properly. I was working for Sanam puri so I offered to compose
the song. I need an identity so that’s why I thought it is good chance for me. When
the big organization heard the music they said it is a very good song and the
composition is also so good. But when they
heard that I do the composition then their vocal has been changed. Suddenly the
whole conversation has changed. Sanam puri directly called and so he was so excited
to this song. Just because of my identity crisis I sacrifice the song for him
because I am a new artist. According to the director Sanam puri took four lakhs from
Bangladesh to sing a song. But I did not
paid a single money for the composition.'' He added.
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Picture of participate Reality show
photo-collected
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He again states that he frustration in being doing his work but not
getting paid or getting recognition. He has worked for movie (RUDRO THE GANG
STAR), he was promised monetary payment but after finishing the director said
as he has given them a big break and movie is a success, he will not give them
any money. 3 things are necessary for success in Bangladesh. Those are producer,
singer and marketing campaign. Running a studio is a loss project unless you
get a producer. HE joined a media reality show on TV, contested and won
runners-up trophy. Still no money was paid. Hopefully it might be paid in a
year. For a singer you need to struggle but still you need to have talent also.
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