Author: P. Deivamuthu
Publication: Hindu Voice
Date: April 8, 2007
Hindu Institutions are being systematically
demolished by anti-Hindu Governments both at the centre and in the state.
Here is the latest example of Kalakshetra, Chennai, famous for Karnatic music
and Bharathanatyam exposition.
The new director, Leela Samson, a Christian,
took charge about one and a half years ago at Kalakshetra Foundation which
has a tradition of more than 50 years. She has destroyed the values for which
this institution stands and is still continuing the destruction in a subtle
way.
The new director is extremely hateful of the
Hindu tradition of idol worship. She has told the students and teachers in
the morning assembly that idol worship is nothing but superstition and it
should be discouraged in Kalakshetra. Her visceral hatred of Hinduism is not
known to most people outside the institution.
Last December, she refused to send students
to the inauguration ceremony of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Seminar on "Health
and Happiness held from 5th-8th Dec. 2006 at Anna University. The reason given
by her is indeed shocking - "The festival is on Hinduism. So you need
not go there". Ravi Shankar Ji had expressed his anguish.
The following are the changes that have been
brought about by Leela Samson after taking charge as the director of Kalakshetra
:
1. Most of the Vinayaka idols for which regular
poojas were being conducted by the students have been removed, especially
the idols in front of the theatre and hostel. After a lot of criticism she
has replaced the Vinayaka idol in front of the theatre but the idol which
was in front of the hostel has not been replaced.
2. Leela Samson ordered all prayers in the
institution to be stopped. But the students are continuing with the prayers
in spite of the possibility of disciplinary action and even expulsion.
3. The clothes that were adorning the idols
have been removed.
4. A movie club has been started that has
completely spoilt the Gurukulam atmosphere of this traditional institution.
Her friends from New Delhi use the theatre and the funds allocated for teaching
Bharatnatyam to run this movie club.
5. Teachers hand-picked by her are teaching
Geetha-Govindam in a very vulgar manner sowing the seeds of hatred for Hinduism
in the impressionable young minds of the students.
6. She is now planning to demolish the temple
structure of the Kalakshetra Auditorium with the excuse of modernising it.
This is going to be done in April 2007.
7. The logo of Kalakshetra Foundation designed
by Rukmini Arundale has been changed without consulting any of the committee
members or the Government.
8. She seems to be in a hurry to completely
finish off the funds of the Foundation on a movie that she is taking. This
is being opposed by everyone in the institution as huge amounts are being
spent unofficially on this project.
9. The certificate that was designed by Rukmini
Arundale with Narthana Vinayakar and the emblem of Shiva on it has been changed
and the present certificate is plain without any symbols. These changes have
been made without taking permission from the Board of Directors of the institution.
10. Earlier there were restrictions on the
meeting of boys and girls within the boys' and girls' hostels. Now all these
restrictions have been removed thus encouraging the meeting of boys and girls
in any hostel room at any time of the day and night.
Members of the performing arts world outside
Kalakshetra Foundation and members of the Hindu community are requested to
initiate action immediately to stop the planned destruction of a glorious
institution teaching and nurturing the ancient traditions of Sanathana Dharma.