He’s flocked by fans everywhere. But Padma Shri artist Mogilaiah wants paisa, not pity

Easily recognisable in his signature maroon shawl draped over his white shirt and mundu, Mogilaiah is a mini-celebrity in Hyderabad. He can barely walk ten metres without someone shouting his name or singing Pawan Kalyan theme song. But what the 69-year-old doesn’t tell them is that he is financially struggling. His fame has not led to fortune - the folk artist was recently seen working at a construction site as a daily wage labourer to make ends meet.
Read out profile for more: theprint.in/ground-reports/he...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exclusive content, special privileges & more - Subscribe to ThePrint for Special benefits: theprint.in/subscribe/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connect with ThePrint
» Subscribe to ThePrint: theprint.in/subscribe/
» Subscribe to our KZbin Channel: bit.ly/3nCMpht
» Like us on Facebook: / theprintindia
» Tweet us on Twitter: / theprintindia
» Follow us on Instagram: / theprintindia
» Find us on LinkedIn : / theprint
» Subscribe to ThePrint on Telegram: t.me/ThePrintIndia
» Find us on Spotify: spoti.fi/2NMVlnB
» Find us on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3pEOta8

[@FloraFauna321]

Nice topic for coverage Vandana! Shows the hard reality that niche art wins awards but does not necessarily pay unlike popular art. The artist shows no sign of victimhood or feeling of being forgotten. Despite his struggles he is training his son in his art. Kudos! May his situation improve soon.

[@killuauchiha777]

The translation is WRONG He said "My name was put in 8th class Telugu textbook and in 233rd page of 8th class social text book I got fame" Put better translators who know language in charge 😅

[@bluebubbletron]

He was given a donation of 10Cr that's huge.. If I had 10L I would not have to work the rest of my life.

[@omnicurious2949]

Translation error...he said 1Cr

[@Shaurya_Pant]

Very sad situation. Government should support arts at risk, especially if he's at a skill level good enough to get Padma Shri, he definitely needs to be getting some salary/pension/stipend.

[@dayasagarkeetha2691]

He was given 600 sqft land in Hyderabad and 10 crores. Many other financial contributions. How many Hyderabadis have that kind of money.

[@manjunathcr4724]

Transcript it's wrong. He got 1 crore