This is an archive article published on March 30, 2023
Abuse allegations rock Kalakshetra, management shuts down classes
Kalakshetra abuse allegations: Earlier this week, the complaints were dismissed as being “rumours” and students asked to not spread gossip. The four accused are performing at a dance festival in Hyderabad on Friday.
Abuse allegations rock Kalakshetra, management shuts down classes
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Days after rumblings of sexual abuse and harassment against an assistant professor and three repertory artistes created faultlines at Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts (RDCFA) at Kalakshetra, India’s premier cultural institution teaching exacting standards of Bharatanatyam, Carnatic classical music and visual arts, students and some faculty members protested on Thursday and sought the removal of all four individuals.
Earlier this week, the complaints were dismissed as being “rumours” and students asked to not spread gossip. The four accused are performing at a dance festival in Hyderabad on Friday.
By Thursday evening, the institute’s principal, Pakala Ramadas, issued a circular to shut down the campus until April 6, and the ongoing exams were postponed. “All inmates are requested to vacate the hostel within two days with immediate effect,” the circular stated. The order on “vacating the hostel” was withdrawn after police arrived on the campus in the evening and met Kalakshetra director Revathy Ramachandran.
A faculty member at the institute told The Indian Express, “The students don’t want these people who’ve harassed them to be on campus anymore.”
The issue came to light when Leela Samson, a former student and the last director of Kalakshetra, put up a social media post, only to delete it soon after. She spoke about “a haven of the highest art and contemplation — now turning a blind eye to how young girls are treated”. She said a male member of the staff is “known to be threatening and molesting (those) who are not yet adults… The said teacher must be brought to book… Rukmini Devi did not build this institution and all her ideals to be abused so.”
After the complaints came in, the National Commission for Women (NCW) probed the matter and closed it on March 25 after a victim denied sexual harassment. “But many other complaints still remain,” said the faculty member.
On March 29, NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma visited the campus for further inquiry.
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Kalakshetra, founded by Rukmini Devi Arundale in 1936, is one of the most prestigious art institutions under the Union Culture Ministry.
Bharatanatyam exponent Anita Ratnam, also an alumna of Kalakshetra, said, “This issue has been simmering for a while and has erupted now. These students must be heard. Something like this has never happened in the history of this institution.”
After the police arrived on the campus, Ramachandran, also head of the ICC, which is being called a conflict of interest by many, including Ratnam, held talks with student representatives and verbally agreed to rusticate the four members but did not issue a formal order on the same. The students and faculty decided to protest through the night, or until the letter was issued.
Suanshu Khurana is an award-winning journalist and music critic currently serving as a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express. She is best known for her nuanced writing on Indian culture, with a specific focus on classical music, cinema, and the arts.
Expertise & Focus Areas Khurana specializes in the intersection of culture and society. Her beat involves deep-dive reporting on:
Indian Classical Music: She is regarded as a definitive voice in documenting the lineages (Gharanas) and evolution of Hindustani classical music.
Cinema & Theatre: Her critiques extend beyond reviews to analyze the socio-political narratives within Indian cinema and theater.
Cultural Heritage: She frequently profiles legendary artists and unearths stories about India’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
Professional Experience At The Indian Express, Khurana is responsible for curating and writing features for the Arts and Culture pages. Her work is characterized by long-form journalism that offers intimate portraits of artists and rigorous analysis of cultural trends. She has been instrumental in bringing the stories of both stalwarts and upcoming artistes to the forefront of mainstream media.
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