#Upholding #Mohiniyattom.
Kalamandalam Sathyabhama's courageous stance on the essential elements of Mohiniyattom dance competitions should be commended, She emphasizes the significance of talent and skill over superficial attributes created by make-up. Her dedication to upholding the integrity of the art form deserves respect, as she fearlessly speaks out against the prevalent biases that prioritize appearance over talent.
It's imperative to recognize and support artists like Sathyabhama who advocate for the true essence of their craft, rather than succumbing to societal pressures that undermine its authenticity. The backlash and insults directed at Sathyabhama on social media are not only unjust but also indicative of a broader issue within the artistic community.
Rather than engaging in constructive dialogue resorting to threats and humiliation only serves to stifle creativity. It discourages artists from speaking truth. The notion that a male artist is inherently unfit to perform the role of Mohini in Mohiniyattom is not a regressive belief. Though Art transcends gender boundaries, and talent knows no gender a man dancing as Mohini would not get that much appeal
.Sathyabhama's advocacy for merit-based evaluation should be celebrated as a step towards creating a more equitable artistic community. Her question, whether the authorities can delete the mark column for artist's beauty for Mohiniyattam in art fairs, is relevant..
-K A Solaman
