The school play ‘Veerannattyam’, which sparked controversy for portraying women characters from Hindu epics in a derogatory manner, has been barred from participating in the State School Kalolsavam. The decision follows protests by Hindu Aikya Vedi and other organisations, which accused the performance of insulting Hindu culture.
The play was staged earlier this week at the Malappuram Revenue District School Arts Festival in Wandoor, where it won first prize in the High School drama category. The Kottoor AKM Higher Secondary School management has now announced that action will be taken against the teacher, Shoukath, who directed the performance.
According to Hindu Aikya Vedi State President R.V. Babu, the school has agreed to issue a public apology through a press release. He stated that this decision came after discussions involving leaders of the Hindu Aikya Vedi and RSS with the school management. Officials who participated in the meeting included state secretaries P.V. Muralidharan and V.S. Prasad, district general secretary Pradeep Tavanur, working president Chiroli Chandran, district secretary Arjunan Valanchery and RSS Malappuram Khand Karyawah Suresh Babu.
Content of the Play Draws Strong Criticism
Protesters alleged that Veerannattyam depicted Hindu culture as oppressive towards women, and claimed that characters such as Draupadi, Gandhari, Urmila and others were shown as powerless and marginalised. Video clips circulating online appeared to show dialogues suggesting that the Ramayana and Mahabharata were “anti-women” texts. Some lines reportedly questioned the value of Hindu epics, prompting strong reactions from cultural and religious groups.
Several organisations argued that the performance encouraged schoolchildren to deliver objectionable lines about Hindu traditions. Hindu Aikya Vedi and other groups alleged that the play’s script was deliberately crafted to portray Hindu culture negatively.
Organisers Say Festival Will Continue
Despite the cancellation of the play’s entry to the state event, organisers of the Malappuram district Kalolsavam said the festival will continue as scheduled. They clarified that earlier complaints will be evaluated and decisions taken accordingly, and urged the public not to misinterpret the play or distort the writer’s intentions on social media.
Background and Comparisons to Earlier Controversies
The controversy gained traction after comparisons were drawn to previous cases involving religiously sensitive content in Kerala’s education sector. Critics pointed to the Kithab play which addressed Muslim women’s rights and was removed from a state-level competition following government intervention as evidence of unequal standards in handling such material.
Organisations opposing Veerannattyam also cited past instances where works accused of portraying Hindu beliefs negatively received official recognition, including the novel Meesha and the film Vedane, which won state awards despite criticism from certain groups.
Competing Play Receives Second Prize
Adding to the debate, cultural reviewers noted that another drama based on the life of historical figure Iravi which received positive audience feedback was placed second in the Higher Secondary category. Some protesters have alleged that Veerannattyam won first place because of the themes it presented rather than its artistic merit.
Demand for Accountability
Various Hindu organisations have demanded clarification from the Education Department on how such content was approved for performance by minors at a district-level school festival. Some have also called for an investigation into what they describe as the use of inappropriate or abusive dialogue by underage performers.
The school management said further internal action would follow after a detailed review. The play will not advance to the state-level Kalolsavam.
(Source: Janam)
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