Famous classical dancer VP Manasiya made a sensational claim on Monday. He alleged that being a non-Hindu, he was barred from performing at the Koodalamanikyam temple. This temple is in Thisoor, Kerala. Manasiya said that she married a Hindu. Despite this, the temple administration demanded a document from him regarding his joining the Hindu religion. Manasiya’s presentation was scheduled to take place on April 21.
Manasiya said – I have no religion
It is also ironic that Manasiya, born in a Muslim family, had to face criticism from her own community for adopting Bharatnatyam dance. His family in Mallapuram has received several threats from the fundamentalists. Manasiya’s elder brother VP Rabia is also a classic dancer. Both of these have been published by various media groups including Hindustan Times in 2006. Later he was expelled from the palace committee. Both faced boycotts, but their passion for their passion continued. Manasiya said that we have come out of religious barriers long ago. However, we do not have the idea that we have to get any new stamp. I have no religion. It seems that it is not possible to survive without religious boundaries. According to him, he has been stopped from giving performances on the basis of religion in various temples in the past. Manasiya claimed that the same thing happened in Guruvayur’s Sri Krishna temple. He said that an artist would have crossed all such hurdles.
Post written on social media too
Earlier, Manasiya expressed her pain on social media. She wrote that I was told by the temple official that I cannot perform there as I am a non-Hindu. I was also asked whether I converted to Hinduism after marriage? I have no religion, where should I go? Manasiya wrote in her Facebook post written in Malayalam. Manasiya, who is pursuing her PhD in Bharatnaty, is married to musician Shyam Kalyan. He further wrote in his post that there has been an attempt to bind art and artists in the bond of religion. It’s just not new for me. I have tolerated such insults before. Secular Kerala seems to have not changed much. I am writing again to remember that things have not changed.
temple board chairman said this
Later, Pradeep Menon, the board chairman of the Koodalmanikyam temple, said that she is a famous dancer. But temple rules only allow Hindus to perform inside. He said that Manasiya has given in writing that he has no religion. We are constrained not to allow them in view of the age-old rules of the temple. He said that the matter has also been taken to the head priest of the temple. His words will be final in this matter. Meanwhile, former Health Minister KK Selja and other activists have criticized this decision of the temple board. According to Shailja, this is a serious issue. It seems that one can survive only by wearing the strap of religion. We have reached such a mental state. He said that humanity is the biggest religion, otherwise only communalism will flourish. I am sure that Kerala will set an example of brotherhood and harmony in this matter.
This happened with Yesudas in 1950.
By the way, this is not the first case when an artist has not been allowed to enter the temple on the basis of religion. Famous singer Yesudas was also not allowed to enter the Guruvayur temple. This is in the 1950s when Yesudas was young and was barred from being a Christian. Angered by this, his guru Chembai Vidyanath Bhagwatar took him to an open stage and asked him to sing a song for the Lord. Yesudas was also deeply troubled by this and he expressed his feelings through a song, which meant, man builds the boundary wall, not God.