It is a pity that one of the best art centres is heading for a Kurukshetra (May 5). As Sadanand Menon has pointed out, Havell rightly said only a free Indian would be able to produce free art. Government regulations only choke the ability of artists, and reduce them to mere robots. When politicians refuse to retire even in their ripe old age, why should the head of a cultural centre retire at 60? Leela Samson has indeed done remarkable work in Kalakshetra. No stone should be left unturned to bring her back to the organisation.
K.R.A. Narasiah, Chennai
Ms Samson was the best thing that happened to Kalakshetra. She gave seven full years to it, working non-stop bringing in many changes, most of which were very progressive. Some right-wing, disgruntled elements did not like her way of functioning. Everyone knows how sincere she was. But Ms Samson has resigned and reinstating her as director of Kalakshetra will make things very difficult for her and Kalakshetra. She is cut out for bigger things in life. She placed Kalakshetra in a unique and enviable position after the sleepy decades of the 1990s.
V.R. Devika, Chennai
Even in the thick of the crisis, Kalakshetra remained calm. Driving people to believe that a Kurukshetra war is on there is rather presumptuous. Kalakshetra was never on the brink of an “impending implosion”. Administrative lapses happen in all institutions. It is time to correct the impression that Leela Samson resurrected Kalakshetra. Of course, she managed it well and made it more accessible, which had its pluses and minuses.
V.P. Dhananjayan, Chennai
Keywords: Kalakshetra issue