The Kerala State Human Rights Commission on Friday took a suo motu case against renowned Mohiniyattam dancer Kalamandalam Sathyabhama for her disparaging remarks against late actor Kalabhavan Mani’s brother and dancer R L V Ramakrishnan.
SHRC member V K Bina Kumari has sought a report from the culture and police departments. She also directed the government secretary, cultural department and the Thrissur district police chief to submit a report within 15 days after examining the said remarks.
Renowned Mohiniyattam artist Kalamandalam Sathyabhama, in an interview aired on a YouTube channel, reportedly said it was annoying to see men performing Mohiniyattam, and that he (Ramakrishnan) had the “colour of a crow”.
Disparaging the artist’s complexion, she said he looked like a crow. She was apparently referring to Ramakrishnan.
“There is an artist in Chalakudy whose complexion is similar to the crow. Even the mother who gave birth to him cannot bear his performance. Besides Mohiniyattam is an art form where you have to keep the legs wide apart. It looks vulgar when men perform it. In my opinion, men who perform Mohiniyattam should look fair,” Sathyabhama said in the interview.
Responding to the comments against him, Ramakrishnan said he will file a complaint against Sathyabhama with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, police, and the culture department.
“My black complexion is my beauty and it is the identity of my race. A woman who uses the name of Kalamandalam said I am black as a crow and only people who are fair and beautiful would perform Mohiniyattam. She says even my mother who gave birth to me cannot bear my complexion. These people make it difficult for artists belonging to the Dalit community to survive in the field. I will continue my fight to bring such people before the law,” he asserted.