Jagmohan Singh Barhok
As I mentioned earlier in my article most publishers did not suitably remunerate the writers. They paid them between rupee 25 to 60 for one story or an article in late sixties and early seventies. Here ‘writers’ means recognized ones, who enjoyed national reputation. Newcomers were paid nothing. Punjab Kesri paid 20/- per piece in 1978.Their increase, if any ,was of rupee ten. Most national Hindi dailies paid between 40 to 100. Most English national dailies paid anything between 100 to 200 including Screen, Patriot ,Pioneer & National Herald. The Tribune paid between 300 to 600. They paid more than double to their employees. Manohar Kahaniyan paid the most- an amount ranging between 500 to 1500 per story to many. Some received 2000 & even more. Delhi Press paid between rupee 150 to 300.Nutan Kahaniyan paid between rupee 300 to 700.Some foreign magazines paid anything between 40 to 60 dollars & in special cases up to $ 150.The bigger chunk of profit went to the publishers.
People magazine once reportedly parted with $10000 for a picture to ensure that others did not or could not use it. I supplied my publishers with some of the best High Definition photographs in early 1990s & demanded that I be suitably remunerated .I even told some publishers that it is a myth that popular names can always add to the circulation or guarantee success. Agreed some, & and started paying more in the the process. Some Glamour magazines paid me between rupee 3000 to 4000 per article with photographs in 1990s. In a nutshell writing was monopolized by those who were close to bigwigs or politicians.
