No plans by govt to take over Nrityagram, says Baragur

'Gurukula managed by Nrityagram Trust is doing a good job'

The state government has no plans to take over Nrityagram, the dance school in Hesaraghatta.

Kannada writer Baragur Ramachandrappa and managing trustee of the dance school Lynne Fernandez made this assertion after there were reports that the government was planning to take over the dance school due to lack of maintenance.

Talks about Nrityagram had originated during discussions on the state’s cultural policy earlier this week. A six-member team led by Ramachandrappa had submitted its recommendations to bring in a cultural policy in the state three years ago. The state Cabinet on Monday last decided to implement the policy. The policy restricts moral policing and setting up of three academies and a tribal university.

Ramachandrappa told DH, “There is no question of taking over the place. The school is managed by a trust called Nrityagram Trust and they are taking care of the school quite well. We only opined that we should make ‘good use’ of the platform which has such a great capacity.” Meanwhile, Lynne Fernandez said she has not heard anything from the government so far. “I have not received any official communication about the taking over of the school by the state government. I cannot comment on this issue unless I receive any official information,” said Fernandez.

Anupama, another member of the trust said the report actually came as a surprise to her and the school.

Nrityagram, which is said to be India’s first modern gurukul for Indian classical dances, was set up by Odissi dancer Protima Gauri Bedi in 1990. The school is known to teach all types of Indian classical dances including Odissi, Mohiniyattam, Kathak, Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi and Kathakali.

The school is situated near Hesaraghatta Lake about 30 km from Bengaluru.