There are two facts of life that I see operating: (1) art and artistes
cannot survive without adequate "pOshaNa" from those that have the
resources (2) When two types of art forms such as burra katha and cinema are in
competition, an immediate determining factor is the potential of the art
form to provide immediate gratification; cinema will, on the average, win
every time. However, another determinant of popularity is people's tendency
to imitate society's elite, in other words, "snob value." For instance,
the Indian yuppie class is now seen to return to its cultural roots to some
extent, through acquisition of antiques etc. (possibly in imitation of what
they see as the global elite class, viz the Western yuppies). I mean
nothing derogatory by this comment--by observation and imitation, we
become exposed to the enriching possibilities of more subtle entertainment
media.
My point is that, for burra katha etc. to survive, it is vital for society's
elite to take an active interest in them, and put their money where the
artistes' mouths are. Without this, I think we might as well be resigned
to the relegation of these art forms to dusty research tomes in some
American or European university.
Bapa Rao