‘Aatmanirbhar’: Blind artistes troupe turn entrepreneurs to overcome COVID-19 crisis

Team Udayavani, Nov 13, 2020, 4:12 PM IST

Mangaluru: A group of blind artists who have been making a living through singing for over three years are now producing and selling products such as phenyl and soap oil.

For the past six months, these artists, who have been performing in the city for the past four years working under the Sri Saradha Andhara Geeta Gayana Kala Sangha (Sri Saradha Blind Vocal Artists Association), have had no income as most of the auspicious events and occasions are conducted in a simple manner.

At one point in time, they did not even have the money to buy daily essential items. It was during this time of crisis that they decided to produce phenyl and soap oil at home.

Daily about 70 litres of phenyl and soap oil are produced by them in their house on Jalligudde Road here. They themselves sell these phenyl and soap oil bottles, under the brand name “Suganha,” to homes and offices.

One of the members of the Sangha said: “All the team members are currently living in a rented house. We have been making phenyl and soap oil for a living since a month. Philanthropists and friends donated money to us during the lockdown. We do not know what lies ahead for us. We are looking for donor patronage.”

– Naveen Ilanthila