Tamil Nadu: DMK Government denies hand in Natyanjali Festival cancellation, K Annamalai provides contrary evidence

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.

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.

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.

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