RSS 'threat': folk art display in Kerala campuses cancelled
Synopsis
The Sangh Parivar organisations had objected to the performance of temple art forms and rituals outside temples. The RSS stated that the CPM insulted temple rituals by performing Thidambu nrithram on the street. The colleges cancelled the performance of Padayani allegedly after receiving warning from the RSS.
Colleges in Kannur cancelled the performance of a colorful folk art form Padayani after the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) allegedly objected to taking temple arts to the public domain.
The RSS had come out in the open against the performance of Thidambu Nritham, a temple art, during a procession taken out by the CPM in Kannur to ostensibly to counter Shobha Yatra, organised by pro-RSS Balagokulam on Janmashtami day. The RSS and Haindava Achara Samrakshana Samithi (Hindu rituals protection council) stated that the Communist party insulted Hindus by dragging temple rituals on to the streets.
In a press conference at Kannur the other day, RSS leaders had warned against performing the rituals outside temples. The Padayani performance was cancelled in the wake of these protests.
Folklore Academy secretary AK Nambiar confirmed that the performances were dropped after threats from some quarters. He also said that he would take up the issue with the state government about the development. If the Sangh organisations continue to take a hostile stand against such performances, it might affect the cultural programmes organised by the government in connection with upcoming Onam celebrations.
Meanwhile, challenging the Sangh Parivar, the Students Federation of India, the students’ brigade of the CPM stated that it will organise Padayani in college campuses despite threats.