An argument erupted in Kerala after classical dancer Kalamandalam Sathyabhama made derogatory remarks towards a male dancer, with out taking his title, saying that “his complexion was like a crow, and he appeared ugly to carry out the artwork”.
Throughout an interview with a YouTube channel, Sathyabhama mentioned Mohiniyattam was carried out by ‘mohinis’ (lovely girls) and was not appropriate for males. She claimed that males appeared annoying whereas performing the classical dance.
Later, RLV Ramakrishnan, a widely known classical dancer and brother of late Malayalam actor Kalabhavan Mani posted on Fb that Satyabhama’s assertion was towards him.
“An artist with the valuable tag of Kalamandalam earlier than her title has been insulting me many times. This revered guru has insulted me earlier after I was in Kalamandalam as properly. She was under no circumstances fascinated by me persevering with doing Mohiniyattam and getting a PhD in it,” he wrote.
“Attributable to such individuals, an artist from the Scheduled Caste can not proceed within the dance subject at this time. Folks with such rotten minds can be introduced earlier than the regulation,” he mentioned.
Kalamandalam and RLV are distinguished performing arts institutes in Kerala.
Following this, the ruling Left Democratic Entrance and the Opposition Congress condemned Satyabhama’s remarks and provided their help to Ramakrishnan.
Kerala Social Justice Minister R Bindu mentioned her authorities will supply all help to Ramakrishnan.
Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the Communist Get together of India (Marxist) has lodged a criticism with the Director Common of Police (DGP). DYFI mentioned it’ll organise dance programmes for Ramakrishnan throughout the state.
Regardless of the criticism, Satyabhama remained defiant and mentioned she wouldn’t withdraw her remarks.
Asserting that she stood by what she mentioned, Satyabhama mentioned her feedback weren’t directed at any individual. She mentioned she was quoting what she learnt in ‘Natyashastra’, a Sanskrit work on performing arts.
When she was questioned whether or not the textual content equated dancer to somebody with truthful pores and skin, she mentioned that the “great thing about the physique” was necessary in dance.