Rajya Sabha MP Sonal Mansingh, one of India’s foremost exponents of classical dance, said art and culture have been seeing political interference for a long time now.
Speaking to The Quint at the Jaipur Literature Festival, she spoke about how she personally faced political interference.
Mansingh has been performing Bharatnatyam and Odissi dances for over six decades. She is also a well-known choreographer, teacher, orator and social activist. She founded the Centre for Indian Classical Dances in Delhi in 1977.
“Political interference in the field of culture happened. For the 10 years of UPA, I was sitting on the side. Even for four years of Modi, I was on the side. I don’t know how I was made a Rajya Sabha member.”Sonal Mansingh
She denied speculations that the she was a Modi fan and that she was conferred a seat in the Rajya Sabha because of her allegiance towards the establishment.
“All this conjecture is really funny. It is funny. I don’t like to comment on these ridiculous thoughts that people have on saffronisation.”Sonal Mansingh
Follow The Quint’s exclusive coverage from the Jaipur Literature Festival, 2019.
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