Ramaswami: The rural and semi-urban areas of Tamil Nadu can be seen buzzing with different art and music forms during March, April and May every year. The temple festivals take place largely during the Tamil months of Panguni, Chithirai and Vaikasi, employing several thousands of folk and performing artists. With the nationwide lockdown, these performers are bereft of any income during the season. The now defunct welfare board has been vested with the responsibility of distributing Rs 1,000 as relief for a little over 35,000 artists, while the total number of artists and performers is as high as 4 lakh across the state. With the season ending without any income, the ensuing off season will force these artists into starvation.