KANNUR: A ban has been imposed on an artist after his son married a Muslim girl. Vinod Panicker, a Poorakkali artist from Karivellur, was banned by the Kuniyan Bhagavathy Temple committee. Vinod Panicker was removed from a pre-scheduled event and another artist was brought in his place.

Even if they ban me, I will not reject my daughter-in-law, said Vinod. However, the temple authorities have explained that they cannot break the temple rituals. Rituals cannot be performed from a house where non-Hindus reside. No ban has been imposed, said the temple authorities.