Niladri Mallik, an 80-year-old folk artiste from Garadpakhi village in Kandhamal district, is facing severe hardship due to a lack of housing facilities and pension support. Despite being well-versed in traditional art forms like Ghudki and Pala, Niladri has been living in a buffalo shed with his wife Yasoda Mallik.
Niladri has been trying to get a house sanctioned under the PM Awas Yojana but has received only false promises from officials. He has been visiting different places since 1980 to earn a living by playing Ghudki, but it has become increasingly difficult to make ends meet. The family relies on a ration card for 20 kgs of rice.
The government’s failure to provide adequate support to artists like Niladri Mallik highlights the need for more effective implementation of schemes aimed at supporting the elderly and preserving traditional art forms.
