‘It is violation of a dancer’s fundamental right’

Mohiniyattam dancer RLV Ramakrishnan plans to perform across Kerala to protest against the discriminatory remarks made by a veteran artiste

ancer and academic RLV Ramakrishnan wants to perform Mohiniyattam on every stage in Kerala. “That is how I plan to protest the racist and casteist remarks made against me by Kalamandalam Sathyabhama, ” he says.

Veteran Mohiniyattam dancer and teacher, Sathyabhama had said that those with dusky complexion should not perform on stage. During an interview to a YouTube channel, she remarked that men, especially, those who are not goodlooking, should refrain from dancing. Without specifically naming Ramakrishnan, she referred to a “darkskinned Mohiniyattam dancer from Chalakudy”. Ramakrishnan, who hails from Chalakudy, also runs a dance school there.

Following his graduation from RLV College of Fine Arts, Tripunithura, he secured first rank in postgraduation in Mohiniyattam from the Mahatma Gandhi University. His doctoral thesis was on Aatathinte Aanvazhikal (The path of men in dance).

Ramakrishnan speaks about the opposition and challenges he has faced in his artistic journey.

DQuestion:

Kalamandalam Sathyabhama hinted that Mohiniyattam should only be performed by women.

Mahakavi Vallathol, who founded Kalamandalam, felt that the name Kairali

Answer:

Nritham would suit this dance form better than Mohiniyattam. This is mentioned in books on the Kerala Kalamandalam. She has unnecessarily raked up an issue by claiming that only ‘mohinis’ can perform Mohiniyattam. One must remember that Vallathol had suggested the name change to do away with the stigma associated with Mohiniyattam.

I am going to request the Department of Culture and those in the art field to help rename the dance form as Kairali Nritham.

Q:She also commented about your complexion.

Never should an artiste and teacher make such discriminatory remarks. In art only creativity matters. Her comment that darkskinned

A:◣

Ramakrishnan and Kalamandalam Sathyabhama. artistes should not perform Mohiniyattam is a violation of a dancer’s fundamental right. From the time one begins to train in a dance form, the ultimate desire of a student is to go up on stage. She has demoralised several aspiring dancers in Kerala.

Q:When you joined RLV College as a student did you come across people who made such adverse remarks?

Never at RLV College. But at Kalamandalam, I had to face many disheartening situations, especially when it came to Kalamandalam Sathyabhama. When I applied for a

A:performance opportunity at a festival conducted under the aegis of Department of Tourism, she got my phone number from the application and called me. She spoke in a derogatory manner. In the world of dance, there are still people like her who are unable to accept progressive changes.

Once I was attending a seminar on Mohiniyattam at Kalamandalam, when an official asked me to leave saying that the event was meant only for women. I protested. Also during my research, I was harassed by some Kalamandalam officebearers. Only when

Mani chettan (late actor Kalabhavan Mani is his elder brother) intervened,we managed to get the actual results of my appraisal.

Q:How do you feel about the outpouring of support?

That is how it should be. It is not just about an individual. Many like me, darkskinned and from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds, have been scarred by her statements. I have struggled to reach where I am today. So it is only right that Kerala has stood by me in this matter.

A: