THRISSUR: R L V Ramakrishnan, brother of late actor Kalabhavan Mani, reiterated that he attempted suicide depressed for denying chance to perform Mohiyattam. He said with no work, went with high hopes to perform the dance at the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy. He alleged discrimination by the academy. I protested against it strongly till the end. KPAC Lalitha, the chairperson of the academy, calling me a liar broke my heart.

He said, ‘Lalitha chechi called me a liar in order to halt the support of artists. Kalabhavan Mani's brother will not accept any wrongdoings other than justice. I did PG and research in Mohiniyattam. I have 12 years of teaching experience. Even after having so many certificates, I was denied the opportunity to perform. Then why should I live. My brother who protected me is no more. My strike is not against the Left Government. The problem here is one person. The problem is the authoritarian tendencies of an individual. She insulted me for not being able to take a decision alone.’

They depicted me badly in the society. Kalabhavan Mani did not raise me to tell lies. My brother taught me to move forward without anyone’s support. I’ve acted with Lalitha chechi. I did not go there for any recommendation. I have nine phone recordings of our conversation and it is not to trap her.

The academy secretary had brain washed her for nearly two hours. When she came out, she told me that there is no opportunity to perform but will give a chance to do a documentary on dance. I lost a chance to tie the chilanka. My interest is to dance. The academy is trying to focus on just a few people. The functioning of the academy should be transparent.

The academy said they will have to face a lot of criticisms if I was permitted to perform. I have performed Mohiniyattam in many programmes of the government. I have not gone there to torture anyone. I faced gender and caste discrimination from the academy, he said.