Renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Mansiya VP was barred from performing at an event at the Koodalamanikyam temple in Thrissur, Kerala. Manasiya has alleged that she was prevented from performing at the event for being a non-Hindu.
Manasiya VP said he was not allowed to perform Bharatanatyam dance at the Koodalamanikyam temple festival in Thrissur district of Kerala as he is not a Hindu. Their dance was scheduled for April 21 from 4 pm to 5 pm. But on Sunday she was told by the convener of the program committee that she could not perform. This temple is under the Government of Kerala Devaswom Board.
In a Facebook post, Manasiya said that he had applied for the program through an online registration link and was accepted after checking his resume, but was told yesterday that he was a ‘non-Hindu’. , she cannot perform in the temple festival.
Years ago Manasiya had to face troubles within her own community when she started learning dance and performing in shows. Manasiya has written in his Facebook post that when art is forbidden for one religion, then the other religion becomes monopolized.
Had I known earlier, I would not have applied – Manasiya
At the same time, Vakil Manikandan, the convener of the temple’s program committee, said that the program is taking place in the ‘chutambalam’ of the temple and there are rules that no non-Hindu can enter. Unless the Devaswom and Tantri decide, a non-Hindu cannot perform. Manasiya says there should be more ‘secular’ venues for artists like him. Manasiya said that she was not aware that non-Hindus were not allowed or else she would not have applied to perform. The Bharatnatyam dancer also alleged that she was also asked whether she converted to Hinduism after marrying her husband.