Famous Bharatanatyam dancer Mansiya VP was barred from performing at the Koodalmanikyam temple in Thrissur, Kerala.
In a facebook post, Mansiya told that she was to perform at the Kudalmanikyam festival on april 21 between 4 and 5 pm. But before the presentation, she was informed by phone that she could not perform because she was a non-Hindu. Let us tell you, this temple comes under the Devasm Board of the government.
Was also a target of Islamic groups
Mansiya VP is doing PhD in Bharatanatyam. It is worth mentioning that he was brought up in a Muslim environment. Some Islamic organizations did not like his dance.
Not the first time
Mansiya says that in the past also his presentation has been stopped due to religion. Years ago a similar incident happened to him in Guruvayur temple.
In the words of Mansiya, 'Art and artist always have to suffer in the name of religion and caste. Art belongs to a particular religion and another religion prohibits it. I am posting this because nothing has changed in secular Kerala.
What did the temple administration say?
Kudalmanikyam Devaswom Board chief pradeep Menon said that as per the custom of the temple, only Hindus can perform on the temple premises. In the words of Pradeep, 'The 10-day festival will be held in the temple courtyard in which 800 artists will participate.
We asked the artists whether they are Hindu or not. Mansiya gave this in writing that he has no religion. That's why his program has been cancelled.
Such an incident has come to the fore even before Kerala. In the northern Malabar region, a Poorakkali artiste was stopped from performing because her son had married a Muslim. In this case, also the temple administration said that they will not break the rules of the temple.
Art has a religion, what is your opinion on what happened to Mansiya?
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