The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has taken cognisance of classical dancer Kalamandalam Sathyabhama’s allegedly racist attempt to set fair complexion and agreeable looks as prerequisites for learning and performing Mohiniyattam, a traditional dance form.
SHRC member V.K. Bina Kumari has sought a report from the Culture and Police departments. Based on media reports, the SHRC registered a case on March 22 (Friday). It has also accepted a complaint from human rights activists.
Ms. Sathyabhama’s vocalised bid, in a social media channel interview, to “preclude dark-skinned persons” from comprehending and staging the classical art form had caused public outrage and drawn censure from the ruling Left Democratic Front, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Opposition and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala.
