The insensitivity of an artist

people, i am quoting www.chron.com of what Mr. Zakir Hussain recently remarked about the manipuri drummers he has engaged for performances in the USA.

"The Manipur guys tie the drum to their body and then they play the drum and visually imitate the patterns of the drum [...] And now that I've convinced them that they should be traveling without their hunting knives, it's even safer"

Mr. Hussain also condescendingly remarked , "I've successfully corrupted most of these guys in the sense that they have started coming down from the hills or the villages and playing performances all over India,"[...]

World Music Institute has taken note of this ethnic slur and the few Manipuri Americans around are garnering a public support to condemn such bigotry.

the remarks show a deep lack of cultural sensitivity and a gigantic disrespect for fellow artists. Mr. Hussain is doing manipuri artists (or any other artists for that matter) no great favours by taking them around for tours, claiming that he is giving them a chance to be seen and then poke fun at them. if it is humor, it is very despicable humor.

Mr. L Somi Roy is a manipuri artist based in New York. he and his friend Mr. Robert Browning at WMI are currently addressing the issue. if you feel that such remarks need to be condemned, you can mail Mr. Browning at wmi@worldmusicinstitute.org and cc it to Mr. Somi Roy at somi.roy@verizon.net or somi_on_the_road@yahoo.com