Malaysian arts and culture sector handed Krishen Jit Fund 2021 boost

The late theatre icon Krishen Jit's legacy lives on through the annual Krishen Jit Fund, which is now in its 16th year of supporting the Malaysian arts scene. Photo: Filepic/The Star

The history books of the future will record the Krishen Jit Fund of 2020 not as a mere pandemic footnote, but rather as a heroic reminder of how certain quarters in the independent arts community - with modest resources - came through for the Malaysian performing arts scene during its darkest of days last year.

One year after the pandemic, there might an increase in performing arts recovery efforts led by the Government, but last June’s Krishen Jit Fund served as an inspiration and example to others, especially in Government agencies and corporate circles, that a statement had to be made: the arts scene would not be abandoned despite theatre shutdowns, arts grant cancellations and other bad news during the lockdown days.