Late night cultural shows organised as part of temple festivals in rural pockets, popularly called ‘aadal paadal’ (dance and song) events, have been under a cloud for long with one set of judges in the Madras High Court Bench here denying permission for the “obscene and vulgar” public performance and another giving its nod on condition that the organisers eschew obscenity.
Now, the High Court has begun to impose a similar condition even for ‘Kathakali’ and ‘Karagattam’ performances.
Disposing of a petition seeking a direction to Sivaganga Town Police to permit Kerala’s traditional dance performance during a temple festival at Agilandapuram, Justice P. Devadass said: “Granting permission to conduct Kathakali dance programme during the said festival can be considered as per law but it should not be at the cost of public tranquillity.”
He directed the Inspector of Police concerned to pass orders granting permission for the event with nine conditions. Besides stipulating that the event must be performed between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., the judge said the organisers of Kathakali dance programme should be mandated to avoid obscene dance, songs and vulgar dialogues.
“No dance or songs touching upon the conduct of any political party or community or caste should be played and no flex boards in support of any political party or religious leader should be erected,” the judge added.
The court said the programme should be conducted without showing any discrimination based on caste or community and it shall be ensured that it is towards promoting communal harmony.
Those participating in the programme must not consume alcohol during the performance.
“In respect of any untoward incident, the organisers of the programme shall be responsible for the same, and if there is any violation of any of the conditions imposed, the concerned (sic) police officer is at liberty to take necessary action as per law and stop such performance,” the order said.
The judge imposed the same conditions while granting permission for Karagattam performances during Aadi festival of Mahasakthi Mariyamman Temple at Vadaku Ammapettai village in Poolangulathupatti taluk in Tiruchi district, and another Mariyamman temple at Theranipalayam village in Lalgudi taluk in the district.