The annual Natyanjali festival, a celebrated dance event coinciding with Shivaratri day, has faced unexpected cancellation this year, leading to criticism and accusations directed at the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in Tamil Nadu. Traditionally hosted in prominent temples like Chidambaram and Thanjavur, the festival attracts Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, and Kathak artists from around the world.
The cancellation has fueled a heated exchange between political leaders, primarily involving the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling DMK. BJP Chief K Annamalai, through his social media handle, accused the DMK government of hindering the promotion of art, culture, and dance in the state. Annamalai specifically linked the cancellation to what he termed as the Stalin government’s anti-Hindu stance, accusing them of unwarranted interference in temple events and practices.
தஞ்சாவூர் நாட்டியாஞ்சலி விழா என்பது, சிதம்பரம், தஞ்சாவூர் உள்ளிட்ட ஆலயங்களில், பரதநாட்டியம், குச்சிப்புடி, மோகினி ஆட்டம், கதக் உள்ளிட்ட பல்வேறு நாட்டியக் கலைஞர்கள் பங்குபெறும் சிவராத்திரி தினத்தையொட்டிய நாட்டியப் பெருவிழா ஆகும். கடந்த 2004 ஆம் ஆண்டிலிருந்து, சுமார் 20…
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) March 9, 2024
The controversy escalated when the DMK’s Fact-Checking Unit refuted the BJP’s claims, stating that the Tamil Nadu government had no role in cancelling the Natyanjali festival. According to their assertion, the Department of Archaeology of India, under the control of the Union Government, refused permission for the festival. The Fact-Checking Unit insisted that blaming the DMK government was baseless and shifted responsibility to the national authority.
Annamalai countered the fact-checking team’s statements, emphasising that the DMK government had denied permission for the Natyanjali festival, citing concerns about crowd control. He accused the DMK of attempting to deflect blame by attributing the cancellation to the Department of Archaeology. Annamalai argued that the Natyanjali event, organized by benefactors on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Government’s Department of Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments, had been an integral part of temple worship.
நாட்டியாஞ்சலி இரத்து: தமிழ்நாடு அரசுக்கு தொடர்பில்லை!
Fact checked by FCU | @CMOTamilnadu @TNDIPRNEWS https://t.co/q59AThrtMF pic.twitter.com/4NymhvAcAg
— TN Fact Check (@tn_factcheck) March 10, 2024
To substantiate his claims, Annamalai presented a letter dated February 14, 2024, from the South Zone Cultural Centre under the Union Ministry of Culture. The letter identified the Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam, falling under the DMK Government’s Department of Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments, as responsible for conducting Natyanjali. Annamalai accused the DMK government of misusing a Madras High Court judgment to support its alleged anti-Hindu activities and to ban the Natyanjali festival, which has been held for two decades.
The BJP leader questioned the DMK government’s stance on considering the Natyanjali event, where dancers pay respect to Peruvudaiyar and Rajaraja Cholan, as unrelated to temple worship. He pointed out that the Honourable Madras High Court, since 2010, has not considered the Natyanjali festival a contempt of court.
Annamalai gave proof of a letter dated February 14, 2024, from the South Zone Cultural Centre, which comes under the Union Ministry of Culture, which clearly mentions that the Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam, which comes under the DMK Government’s Department of Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments, is responsible for conducting Natyanjali and that no programmes are being held on their behalf in the temple on the days leading up to Natyanjali. He also accused the DMK government of misusing the Madras High Court judgement to support its anti-Hindu activities with the sole aim of banning the Natyanjali festival which has been going on for 20 years.
The BJP leader said “Does the DMK government say that the Natyanjali event, in which dancers from all over the world pay respect to Peruvudaiyar and Rajaraja Cholan, is not a programme related to temple worship? Since 2010, for the past 13 years, the Hon’ble Madras High Court has not held the Natyanjali festival as a contempt of court. Banning the Natyanjali festival, which has been held in the temple complex for two decades, is nothing but the anti-Hindu attitude of the DMK government.” Annamalai concluded that banning the Natyanjali festival reflected the DMK government’s alleged anti-Hindu attitude.
Amidst the political sparring, Annamalai criticised a media outlet he referred to as a gang working as the DMK government’s media outlet. He accused them of spreading false news and questioned the need for such efforts when the DMK’s social media was already engaged in this full-time role.
தஞ்சாவூர் நாட்டியாஞ்சலி விழாவில், கூட்டத்தைக் கட்டுப்படுத்த முடியவில்லை என்ற காரணம் கூறி, இருபதாண்டுகளாக ஆலய வளாகத்தில் நடைபெறும் நாட்டியாஞ்சலி விழாவுக்கு அனுமதி மறுத்துவிட்டு, தற்போது தனது இந்து மத விரோதப் போக்கு பொதுமக்களுக்குத் தெரிய வந்ததும், இதற்கு சம்பந்தமே இல்லாத தொல்லியல்… https://t.co/WKF31I9n2B pic.twitter.com/yhvzhdoIfl
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) March 10, 2024
The cancellation of the Natyanjali festival has reignited debates about the government’s alleged minority appeasement tactics and interference in religious and cultural practices. C
