Kerala: Controversy erupts as dancer sparks outrage with comments on ‘Dark Skin’ and Mohiniyattam

‘Kalamandalam’ Sathyabhama, the so-called senior dancer, has insulted famous dancer RLV Ramakrishnan, pointing out that he is as dark as a crow and even his mother would not tolerate his dark complexion. She said that only handsome men with fair skin should perform Mohiniyattam. Dark men should wear maximum makeup before the performance.

RLV Ramakrishnan condemned Sathyabhama’s derogative comments; He described it as not only ‘colourism’ but also casteism. He would take legal steps against Sathyabhama’s comments. He said that a SC/ ST dancer cannot survive in Kerala. He repeated that he would initiate legal action against the person with a polluted mind. Ramakrishna said this while talking to media persons close to the heels of Sathyabhama’s comments. He said a similar incident had taken place earlier. Ramakrishnan took legal steps at that time. The case is still before the court. He said that the present comment is without rhyme or reason. Even though Sathybhama has not clearly mentioned his name, the hints and clues are more than enough. She has mentioned ‘a Chalakkudy-native artist’ (apparently Ramakrishnan belongs to Chalakkudy, Thrissur district). Then she said, ‘The artist who had an argument with (Sangeeta Nataka Academy chairperson) KPAC Lalita’. (Ramakrishnan had differences of opinion with Lalita, the CPM nominee to the Academy). Sathyabhama further mentioned ‘Mohiniyattam artist’. In other words, she was trying to insult Ramakrishnan without mentioning his name but giving all the clues suggesting him. All Keralites can easily make out who she means.

Ramakrishnan blasted Sathyabhama for unnecessarily dragging his mother into this controversy. She had told them that Ramakrishnan was so dark, like a crow, that even his mother could not bear it. This is a third-rate insult against dark people. He alleged that she was belittling him to the lowest level by comparing him with a crow. He added that these comments would demoralise the dark-complexioned boys who come out to enter the realm of dance.

Ramakrishnan said that he is for legal action because no one should talk like this in the future. There are clauses against SC/ST atrocities. Sathyabhama went to the extent of saying that he was not educated. Not a single dark-skinned person shall suffer these sorts of insults. RLV said that Shyabhama had insulted him on the phone some time back.

RLV Ramakrishnan is an excellent Mohiniyatam dancer and film actor. He was the Kalapathibha at the MG University Youth Festival in 2001. Ramakrishnan is the brother of the late legendary Kalabhavan Mani, a famous Dakshin Bharat cine artist and folk song singer. He was the head teacher of Kalaagriha, Chalakkudy, Thrissur. He was a guest lecturer at Sree Shankaracharya Sanskrit University, Kaladi. Ramakrishnan has won the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award in Mohiniyattam. He has acted in a few films also. He was denied a chance to perform Mohiniyattam in the online dance festival programme of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi programme. It triggered controversy, and he reportedly attempted to commit suicide, alleging that it was caste discrimination against him.

Sathyabhama has added insult to injury by sticking to her earlier comments while talking to the media persons who approached her to see if she had changed her stand or expressed regret. On the other hand, she confronted the media. She went to the extent of stating before the TV cameras that she was repeating the rules mentioned in Bharath Muni’s Natyashasthra. But, knowledgeable people assert that Natyashasthra does not have any content like this.

Kalamandalam is a deemed University in Thrissur district. Famous poets Vallathol Narayana Menon and Manakkulam Mukunda Raja launched it in 1927 with the noble idea of teaching Bharatiya dance forms. The students who graduate from there use the institution’s name along with their names, hence Kalamandalam Sathayabhama.

Ramakrishnan studied at RLV College, Government College for Fine Arts, in Ernakulam district. He passed BA, MA, M. Phil and secured a doctorate in dance. Now, he has joined his second MA course, again in dance.

Dr N R Madhu, the chief editor of Sangh-inspired Kesari Malayalam Weekly, told the media that the journal does not have any truck with Sathyabhama. He was reacting to the statement of a ‘plagiarist poet’ who belongs to CPM. Madhu said Kesari had only carried an article of Sathyabhama some time back. On the other hand, Kesari does have excellent relations with RLV Ramakrishnan. RLV performed Mohiniyattam in the Kesari Bhavan auditorium during the Nav Rathri festival last year.

Shajumon Vattekkat, State President of SC Morcha of BJP, said that legal action should be initiated against Sathyabhama under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. He alleged that SC ST artists undergo insults in Kerala in the name of their complexion and caste. This incident proves it. SC ST Commission should initiate suo moto case against Sathyabhama.

Sangh-inspired organisations have attacked Sathyabhama for her derogatory comments. All right-thinking people are flabbergasted. But leftist intellectuals and cultural leaders keep mum. Their criticisms are’reserved for such incidents, if there is any, in Uthar Bharat’. Some people believe that the Government of Kerala should have initiated a suo moto case against Sathyabhama.