Kalakshetra Foundation withdrew the permission it had given to hold the book release function for T.M. Krishna’s Sebastian & Sons: A Brief History of Mrdangam Makers on its premises.
In a statement to the publishers of the book, the Foundation’s Director Revathi Ramachandran said that the institution was an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. “Being a government organisation, it cannot allow any program that may instigate political, cultural and social disharmony,” the statement read.
Her statement further said that “a book review” that had appeared on Wednesday contained certain statements related to the book that touched on controversial issues and had “a lot of political overtones”.
“We were unaware of the controversies surrounding the subject matter of the book at the time of renting our auditorium for the book release,” the statement added.
“An exceptional and unverifiable incident has been projected as some kind of universal rule. This is likely to create avoidable issues, including disaffection among communities,” Ms. Ramachandran’s statement further said.
‘A celebration’
Musician and writer T.M. Krishna said he was “saddened and baffled” by the Foundation’s act of revoking permission for the book release event. “The book is a celebration of generations of makers of mrdangams. They have worked with blood, skinned cows, goats and buffaloes so that we can all enjoy music. The book brings out the reality of how they have been marginalised for generations — how is this controversial?” he questioned.
Stating that he was “astounded by the fact that the programme was perceived to be one that could instigate disharmony”, Mr. Krishna pointed out that the mrdangam graces the stage of Kalakshetra every other day.
“How is it okay not to talk about the cow then? It is a complicated subject, but not a controversial one. I can understand if people have different points of views from the book or disagree, but I don’t understand why this is disharmonious,” he said.
Mr. Krishna said that the book release event would now take place at the Asian College of Journalism on February 2, at 6.45 p.m.
Chidambaram urges
Veteran Congress leader P Chidambaram said it was shameful that Kalakshetra should withdraw permission to hire their auditorium to release the new book by T. M. Krishna. “‘Withdraw permission’ is an euphemism for cancelling a contract. Cancellation is illegal besides being high handed,” he said.
“Even if Kalakshetra is frozen in time, the world will not stop. Glad to know that book launch will take place on same date, same time at a different venue. This is an opportunity to stand up against institutional capture [of Kalakshetra]. Urge book and music lovers to gather in large numbers at the Asian College of Journalism,” he added.
