Veterans upset over giving Kalashree award to Manju

THRISSUR: The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi’s move to give the  Kalashree award for Kuchupudi to actress Manju Warrier has triggered a controversy with many classical dance veterans questioning the motive behind it. 

Though she had bagged  the Kalathilakm in the state school youth festival,  she started performing Kuchupudi seriously only about  two years back.

There are senior artists like Anupama Mohan, Geetha Padmakumar and new generation artists like Sreelakshmy Govardhanan and a few more who have been promoting and practising traditional Kuchipudi seriously for long.

The akademi decided to give the award to  Manju a couple of days ago. Many prominent artists and cultural organisations have asked the akademi to reveal the criteria for the selection.

The akademi awards have been previously given to artistes who have made exceptional contribution in their respective fields. The awards comprise a citation, a memento and a purse of Rs 15,000.

According to Belraj Sony, founder and director of Navaneetham Cultural Trust, the akademi should cite Manju’s contribution to  Kuchipudi in Kerala.

“She started performing Kuchipudi two  years ago and has made a comeback through some performances. But does that alone qualify her for a prestigious award like this? 

Moreover, she gives performances by taking lakhs of rupees as remuneration. There are many senior artists who deserved this award more than her.

Leave alone the peanuts they get, even the responsible bodies of government do not honour them for their efforts. Instead, they go behind the glitz and glamour of film celebrities.

Such practices are demoralising  aspiring artists also and they will lose interest to do anything in the field of arts,” Belraj says.