Calculated move
Sir — Gukesh Dommaraju’s win at the World Chess Championship has brought joy to chess aficionados globally. But none would perhaps be happier than India’s Union finance ministry as the government will earn a hefty tax of nearly five crore rupees on Dommaraju’s 11 crore prize money. People have dubbed this as the tax department’s ‘checkmate’ to the grandmaster. While levying taxes on prize money is understandable, these funds should be used to build facilities for sportspersons and players. India’s chess infrastructure, for instance, is concentrated in Chennai and that too constitutes largely private institutes. If nothing else, then the prospect of filling the exchequer with more tax money should prompt the government to focus on players’ needs.
Sushanto Biswas, Calcutta
Rhythm silenced
Sir — The passing of Ustad Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla maestro, is an immense loss for both Indian and global music. At 73, he has left behind a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. Born in Mumbai in 1951 and trained by his father, Ustad Allah Rakha, Hussain’s musical journey began at a young age. Hussain popularised Indian classical percussion globally, blending it with other genres and collaborating with other experts like Pandit Ravi Shankar. His performances, recognised with prestigious awards such as the Padma Vibhushan, touched hearts worldwide. He once said that the beat of the tabla is like his breath, indicating his utmost dedication to music.
R.K. Jain, Barwani, Madhya Pradesh
Sir — Zakir Hussain was regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation. He started his tabla training at the age of seven and worked with various renowned international and Indian artists in a career spanning six decades. The maestro had won four Grammy awards and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. In 1988, he was the youngest recipient of the Padma Shri award. His groundbreaking work with Western musicians like Mickey Hart, George Harrison and Charles Lloyd brought Indian classical music onto the international stage. He was also offered the role of Salim in the film, Mughal-e-Azam, but he turned it down owing to his father’s objection. But Hussain later acted in a few films. He believed that musicians should not perform at weddings or corporate affairs as music should be the sole purpose of an event.
Bal Govind, Noida
Sir — Zakir Hussain has left behind a marvellous legacy. The story behind Hussain’s marriage to the Kathak dancer, Antonia Minnecola, is also a testament to religious harmony. Despite facing numerous challenges as an inter-faith couple, they led a happy and successful conjugal life.
Ubaida Abul Hasanat, North 24 Parganas
Sir — The tabla maestro, Zakir Hussain, has left an indelible mark on the world of music. Hussain’s 1973 musical project with the English guitarist, John McLaughlin, the violinist, L. Shankar, and the percussionist, T.H. ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram, brought together elements of Indian classical and jazz in a fusion hitherto unknown. This project later culminated in the formation of the band, Shakti. All the artists in the band began their musical careers in disparate schools of thought and artistic sensibilities.
Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee, Faridabad
Cultural loss
Sir — The commodification of heritage sites and the monetisation of cultural heritage often undermine the historical value associated with these places (“Disney heritage”, Dec 15 ). Article 49 of the Indian Constitution mandates that the State has to protect monuments and places of national importance. However, preservation schemes like ‘Adopt a Heritage’ are prompting corporate institutions to render heritage sites inaccessible to those without means.
Alternative funding channels like one-time grants, crowd-funding and the involvement of angel investors are essential for the conservation and the maintenance of heritage sites. Additionally, sourcing funds from the World Heritage Fund and levying heritage conservation cess on certain goods are viable options.
Prasun Kumar Dutta, West Midnapore
Sir — Airbnb’s plan of organising mock gladiatorial fights at the Roman Colosseum would metaphorically bring back the bloody sport after nearly 2,000 years. The collaboration aimed to “enhance the historical and cultural heritage” of the amphitheatre while maintaining the sanctity of the monument.
But the local people and Rome’s councillor for culture are not convinced. They say that the image of the Colosseum should not be diminished in the eyes of the world and it cannot become a playground for a publicity stunt. Activists have also criticised the deal, calling it a form of “touristification”.
S.S. Paul, Nadia
Ensure safety
Sir — Carcasses of Olive Ridley turtles were found washed ashore along the Visakapatnam coast. The turtles come close to the shore to lay eggs during their breeding season. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the status of Olive Ridley turtles as vulnerable. The numbers of these turtles have been declining in recent years. A majority of deaths occur due to marine pollution and trawling activities when turtles are accidentally caught by fishing vessels. The government has already taken several precautionary measures to conserve and protect them. Nonetheless, multiple gaps need to be plugged by spreading awareness among the fishing community and taking precautionary measures during their breeding seasons.
Dimple Wadhawan, Kanpur
Sir — The declining numbers of Olive Ridley turtles is a cause for serious concern.
Sandipan Sarkar, East Burdwan
