Noted dancer Sathyabhama made casteist remarks against Kalabhavan Mani’s brother RLV Ramakrishnan. There were widespread protests from various sections of the society. Noted director and lyricist Sreekumaran Thampi has come up with severe criticism on the casteist slur. Sreekumaran Thampi said in a Facebook post that even in this 21st century, no one can be allowed to pollute the art field by bringing color and caste into the art.
The dance teacher, now known as Kalamandalam Sathyabhama, hates blackness, and the real Kalamandalam Sathyabhama is not this woman. She is the wife of renowned Kathakali exponent Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair. Sreekumaran Thampi said that it is not even right to compare this Kalamandalam Sathyabhama with that genius Shalini and wished all success to all the artistic works of the great dancer RLV Ramakrishnan. Here’s his Facebook post:
The dance teacher who is now known as Kalamandalam Satyabhama hates black! ! ! The real artist is not this woman. She is the wife of renowned Kathakali exponent Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair. It was Sathyabhama did the choreography for the films I directed ‘Ganam”and’ Bendukkal Shatrukal.” ‘Aliveni Enthucheyvu’,’ malayali penne ninte manas ‘… Remember the songs. Renowned dancers like Kalamandalam Kshemavathi, Kalamandalam Saraswathi and Kalamandalam Leelamma are disciples of that Satyabhama. It was telecast by Thiruvananthapuram Doordarshan.
It is not even right to compare this Kalamandalam Satyabhama with that Pratibha Shalini. Do not forget the fact that the color of Lord Krishna, who captivated the hearts of many Mohinis, including Radha, was black. Krishna was also a singer. No artist should be judged on the basis of colour and caste. Even in this 21st century, no one can be allowed to pollute the art world by bringing color and caste into the art. No artist should ever talk to the media with such arrogance. Sreekumaran Thampi concluded his note by saying, “My best wishes to the great dancer RLV Ramakrishnan for all his artistic endeavours.
Meanwhile, Kerala Kalamandalam has issued a circular clarifying its stand against the caste discrimination remarks made by Kalamandalam Satyabhama. “Kerala Kalamandalam completely rejects and condemns the statements, reactions and stand taken by Sathyabhama. Adding the name of Kalamandalam to their name is a blot on the institution. Therefore, apart from being an alumnus, she has no connection with Kalamandalam at present. Kalabhavan Mani’s brother and dancer Dr RLV Ramakrishnan has been accused of making derogatory remarks against Sathyabhama.
Mohini should be Mohiniattam and not Mohanan. Now, if men are playing Mohiniyattam, then good looking men are required to play, not crow-colored ones. In an interview to a YouTube channel, Satyabhama had said that she would not tolerate PETA slapping her if she saw him.The interview led to a huge controversy. Many people came out against Satyabhama, but she said that she did not name anyone and stood by what she said. He expressed his views to the media. And after the matter became controversial, they repeatedly said racist things to the journalists who approached Satyabhama. Have you ever won a prize in a black beauty contest? That was Satyam’s response.
