Is making a living as an artist worth the risk?
I have been wondering about something for a while…
Why do so many people choose to follow a different path? When there’s an overflowing artistic talent in them? Why do they do that? Would you say that it’s a waste?
As an artist myself, I am in awe of the talent that surrounds us. Every person in this world has a performer hidden in them. I have always believed that.
So, as a musician and an aspiring music journalist, I decided that I should put my – amateur – writing skill to good use.
I have covered established artists and bands before. I even wrote a blog about my own small experience as a Western contemporary musician.
But today, I want to talk about the singers, the dancers, the actors, who all deserve the recognition and appreciation that they haven’t quite gotten yet.
A couple of days ago, I heard and fell in love with the voice of a lady. I heard her in one of the Instagram reels that blessed my timeline. I know nothing about her. Just her beautiful face and her beyond amazing voice.
Being surrounded by artists in college, I have a lot of friends who are doing a very similar thing. A couple of my friends, who are some of the most brilliant dancers I have ever seen, also have their own regular corporate jobs.
I have watched them juggle their passion for dance – regular record and post videos on Instagram – and their day jobs.
Believe me, it is hard to keep your eyes off them. That’s how good they are.
After what I said above, needless to say, I have fallen in love with more artists like these on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and tiktok.
The internet has brought the world so close. I can sit here in a small city in India, and listen to beautiful voices, watch some really amazing dancers and actors, not just from my city, but from all over the world.
I have a theatre background. So, a lot of people I know are doing really amazing work in their own styles and niches, which everyone deserves to see.
I promise you, that every day you pass at least 10 amazing people, with incredible talents that sometimes remain hidden.
At the same time, it is also sort of a given that it’s next to impossible to become famous on the internet these days; It’s because so many people post so much of their amazing content and only a few of them climb up the ladder to get recognition and acknowledgement.
Lately, some of the social media platforms have actually provided a stage for up-and-coming artists. For example, tiktok has proved to be one such platform that has provided a stage to lots of influencers as well.
There is still a whole demographic of people who are spending time perfecting their art and trying their best with the limited resources they have, to be acknowledged for their art on a larger scale.
Notice how I did not use the word ‘fame’? Yeah, most of us don’t do it for that.
As a former full-time musician, I can vouch for people saying that I practice my art for myself. Which is a tough road if you’re trying to make a career out of it. Not only is it tough, but it is also scary.
What would happen if you put your living dependent on this? and even after years of trying, you haven’t gotten very far? Would choosing a different and safer path take care of that?
The world is a very complicated place. Especially in the 21st century. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for artists to make a living, let alone an honest one, based on their art.
(Nervous laugh) I guess that answers the question of why these talents sometimes remain hidden? I don’t know… I’m still pondering on it…
What do you think?
Food for your mind?
Dnyaneshwari Katkar