Thrissur: Facebook activist and documentary filmmaker Najma Nishad has received threat calls allegedly from religious hardliners for making a documentary on Dalit folk artiste Thevanasan. She was warned of severe consequences if she went ahead with the documentary. Najma had completed the shoot of the documentary on Thevanasan at locations in Cheruthuruthy and Perigode, a month ago.
The film depicts the artistic talent of Thevanasan belonging to Paraya community. He was an exponent of folk instruments Kurumkuzhal and was also a chenda artiste. “As we were planning to start the editing work, my father-in-law received calls from anonymous numbers asking me not to go beyond the religious framework and to stop working on the project. The callers also said that if I did not withdraw from the project, I will have to face difficulty in future,” Najma told DC.
After the threat calls, both her in–laws and her family asked her to keep away from the project. She moved from her husband’s house at Mullurkara to her house at Wadakkenchery and has presently been instructed by her relatives not to go out. “I am not going to withdraw from the project and will continue with its post production. I hope I will be able to convince my parents and in-laws about it,” Najma said. Meanwhile, Social Justice Minister K.K. Shailaja and State Youth Commission Chintha Jerome have extended all support to Najma citing that the voices or the artist could not be stifled. Both of them have asked her to file a complaint with police and Women’s Commission.
