Renowned danseuse Sonal Mansingh has been replaced by former Union minister Ram Niwas Mirdha as chairperson of Sangeet Natak Akademi with immediate effect, bringing to an end a tumultuous period in the Akademi's history
Mansingh, who was appointed during the National Democratic Alliance regime, was facing music over her "autocratic and undemocratic" style of functioning.
Several artistes had resigned from the Akademi in the last few months and had complained to the government over the state of affairs in the organisation set up to promote dance, drama and music.
The artistes had even petitioned President A P J Abdul Kalam and complained to Information and Broadcasting Minister S Jaipal Reddy.
Mirdha, who replaces Mansingh, is a former minister who handled various portfolios in the Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi governments, and was also chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee appointed in the 1990s to probe the securities scam.
In Thiruvananthapuram, eminent theatre personality Kavalam Narayana Panicker, who quit as vice-chairman of the Akademi following sharp differences with Mansingh, welcomed Mirdha's appointment.
"I am happy that finally this has happened. This is a right step in the interest of this great institution. Things were in a very bad shape there. Let us hope the situation improves under the new set-up," Panicker told PTI.
Panicker, who along with music legend Balamurali Krishna, raised the banner of revolt against Mansingh's style of functioning, said they were compelled to come out in protest to safeguard the interests of the Akademi.
"It is not whether I remain as vice-chairman or not. We had to protest. Things were disquieting, with the secretary and chairperson pulling in different directions," he said. "What we have been wanting all along was that the institution be entrusted in the hands of someone who could make things improve. That is why we sought the intervention of the President and the Union culture minister. It is good the government has taken the right step."
