Novel protest against university decision

Updated on: Tuesday, September 14, 2010

In a novel form of protest, a dancer used Kerala's classical art form 'Mohiniyattam' to come out against a university's decision to shelve the proposed set up of seven International study centres named after reformists like Adi Sankara, Narayana Guru and Gandhiji.

Well known dancer Sudha Peetambaran, director of Sree Sankara School of Dance, performed the protest dance for one hour to a packed auditorium at a function held during the annual meeting of the Kerala state SreeRamavilasam Chavalar
society here yesterday.

In this age of terror strikes and communal flare ups, the teachings and messages of these reformist leaders have great importance, Prof P V Peethambaran, the society President who drew up the concept of 'protest dance' and the dancer's
husband, told PTI .

Several agitations had been held against the decision of the Kalady Sree Sankara Sanskrit university, he said.

Dr. K.S. Radhakrishnan, former Vice-Chancellor of the Sree Sankara University, during his tenure had decided to set up the study centres and the university syndicate had also set apart Rs 12 lakh for the same.

However, the new VC, Dr.J. Prasad, was not keen to start the study centres, university sources said adding no particular reason was given to scrap the project.

There was need for such study centers to propagate the messages of Adi Sanakara, Narayana Guru, Gandhiji, Ayyangalli, etc, he said.

The lyrics were written using the basic structures of the Bhakti and lassiya of 'Mohinyattam', Peethambaran said. The principal works and messages and teachings were Incorporated in the lyrics. The hour long performance ended with a call for unification by the educated people.

Novel protest against university decision

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