Two dancers express solidarity with Mansiya; to boycott Koodalamanikyam Temple fest
Thrissur, Apr 1: Expressing solidarity with dancer Mansiya V P, who was denied opportunity to perform at Koodalmanikyam temple on religious grounds, at least two dancers on Friday decided not to participate in the dance festival at the ancient Kerala shrine.
Karthik Manikandan, a Bharatanatyam dancer took to Facebook and said he was backing out from his performance scheduled on April 17.
Anju Aravind, a classical dancer and a research scholar, said she has decided to boycott the programme being organised at the temple.
In solidarity with the artistes who were "sidelined" from participating in the Koodalmanikyam dance and music fest, "I'm backing out" from performing on April 17 at the temple, Karthik wrote on his Facebook page.
He pledged his support to Mansiya and all the artistes, who were denied permission to perform in the temple on religious grounds.
Anju, who was scheduled to perform at the festival on April 21, also announced through Facebook her decision to boycott the festival.
She said Mansiya was denied permission on the sole ground that she was a non-Hindu.
"As an artist, I believe that there is no caste or religion for art and I cannot perform on that stage after giving in writing that I am a Hindu. Therefore, I boycott this opportunity," Anju wrote on her Facebook page.
Amid a raging controversy over the denial of permission to non-Hindu artistes to perform in Kerala's famous Koodalmanikyam temple, a Devaswom official had on Wednesday said conciliatory talks are on with all stakeholders including priests to address the issue and expressed hope that a positive outcome will be evolved in the near future.
The temple officials had said that as per the custom and traditions, not only artistes belonging to other religions, even non-Hindu politicians and workers are not allowed to enter in the temple compound.
Mansiya, a Bharatanatyam dancer and a PhD research scholar in classical dance, had on Monday taken to Facebook saying the temple officials denied her permission to perform despite printing her name in the programme notice. She has declared that she does not belong to any religion.
The temple officials had claimed that she was denied permission as the shrine tradition does not allow a non-Hindu to enter the premises.
Mansiya, a Muslim-born woman, was to perform at the 10-day National Festival of Dance and Music organised by the temple to be held from April 15 to 25. Around 800 artistes are expected to perform at the temple during the fest.
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Comedian Shyam Rangeela files nomination from Varanasi LS seat on last day
Varanasi: Comedian Shyam Rangeela has finally filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate from the Varanasi parliamentary constituency on Tuesday, May 14, the last day of filing papers.
Rangeela, who intended to contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi had alleged on Monday that he was being denied a nomination from the seat, as he along with several other candidates were reportedly made to wait for filling papers on May 10th and May 13th.
Shyam Rangeela, taking to his official ‘X’ handle, wrote, "With your love and support, I have completed all the requirements as per the rules and submitted the nomination. I also have full faith in the democracy of this country. Now the next two-three days are crucial. Thank you all very much for your cooperation. My electoral future rests in the hands of all election officials who are the custodians of our democracy. With the hope that they all strengthen our faith, Yours Shyam Rangeela.”
Alongside, Shyam, BJP candidate Narendra Modi, Log Party's Vinay Kumar Tripathi, BJP's Surendra Narayan Singh, independent candidates Dinesh Kumar Yadav, Reena Rai, Neha Jaiswal, Ajit Kumar Jaiswal, Ashok Kumar Pandey, Sandeep Tripathi filed their nomination papers on Tuesday.
According to the Election Commision of India, a total of 41 candidates have filed nomination papers from the Varanasi constituency.
आप सभी के प्यार और सहयोग से नियमानुसार सभी आवश्यकताओं की पूर्ति करते हुए मैंने नामांकन दाखिल कर दिया है, मेरा इस देश के लोकतंत्र पर अभी भी पुरा भरोसा है । अब आगे के दो तीन दिन महत्वपूर्ण होंगे।
— Shyam Rangeela (@ShyamRangeela) May 14, 2024
आप सभी का सहयोग के लिए बहुत धन्यवाद ।
हमारे लोकतंत्र के पहरी सभी चुनाव अधिकारीयों के… pic.twitter.com/JyIoFGDNli
