“They stopped my people from Dancing, and now they do!”

Bharatanatyam dancer, Nrithya Pillai has been asking some tough questions of the Bharatanatyam tradition. She has the right to do so, she claims as she is linked to the artform by lineage. Nrithya belongs to the Isai Vellalar, a hereditary musical community from Tamil Nadu, India. Nrithya talks to Kulasegaram Sanchayan about her gripes and her quest to find justice.

Nrithya Pillai Source: SBS

The interview published in two parts was recorded about five months ago.  Due to Coronavirus Covid-19 related news taking precedence, this interview was not put to air till now – but Nrithya’s stand on issues discussed in the interview has not changed. 

This is the final of the two-part interview.

For the first part of the interview, click on the link below: