Complaint filed against KDA chief Purushottam Bilimale over comments on Yakshagana artists

MANGALURU: Yakshagana artist Ravi Alevooraya has filed a complaint against writer and Kannada Development Authority (KDA) chairman Purushottam Bilimale at the Urva police station in Mangaluru, alleging that Bilimale made derogatory remarks about Yakshagana artists.

Alevooraya stated that Bilimale’s comments were objectionable and had hurt the religious sentiments of the community. He demanded that action be taken against Bilimale and requested the police to take cognizance of the matter. The police have acknowledged the complaint and are examining it. However, they have not yet registered an FIR, citing that further investigation is needed.

At a book release event in Mysuru recently, Bilimale allegedly stated that most Yakshagana artists are homosexuals and that the art form has an inherent element of homosexuality. “Most Yakshagana artists are homosexuals and it’s an unavoidable reality in this art form. When artists go on tour, many of them don’t even have a home to return to”, he had said.

The comments had sparked widespread criticism, with many taking offence to Bilimale’s sweeping statements about the Yakshagana community. His remarks have been seen as an attack on the art form and its practitioners.