Art has no religion: Kerala govt asks temple authorities to find ways to let dancer Mansiya perform
India Today
Koodalmanikyam temple decided to bar Bharatanatyam artist Mansiya saying that a non-Hindu cannot perform inside the temple premises. Several dancers have withdrawn from the fest in solidarity.
Kerala government on Friday intervened after several dancers decided to boycott a temple fest as authorities barred a Bharatanatyam dancer from performing by citing her religion.
Devaswom minister K Radhakrishnan called up Koodalmanikyam temple authorities and urged them to consult with the 'thantris' (Vedic heads) to find a possible solution to the dilemma regarding the dance fest. The minister asked them to quickly find a way to allow Bharatnatyam dancer Mansiya VP to perform at the National Festival of Dance and Music slated to be held from April 15 to 25.
The temple had first confirmed her participation and her name even appeared on the notice. A few days later, the temple asked her to confirm whether she was a Hindu. When she refused, stating that she doesn't have a religion, the authorities cancelled the invite.
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She was informed by the authorities that the temple's traditions and rituals do not allow the participation of a non-Hindu dancer. Mansiya, was born to a Muslim family but had married a Hindu.
"Mansiya should be allowed to perform on the temple stage. This is the wish of the public. Even Hindu organisations and BJP leaders have come in support of her. However, stiff opposition from the 'thantris' is the reason a decision is yet to be made," Radhakrishnan said on Friday. The minister further said that it is Hindu percussionists who play at Christian and Muslim festivals.
"If religions decide that only their community members should be allowed to perform at the church and mosque stages, what will artists do? I have urged the Devaswom authorities to communicate to the 'thantris' that art should have no religion," Radhakrishnan said.
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