In a state that boasts progressiveism, the hard reality of color discrimination continues to form lives, while individuals with dark skin face mockery, exclusion and prejudices. (Picture for representation) Photo Credit: Getty Images/Istockphoto
In a state that boasts progressiveism, the hard reality of color discrimination continues to form lives, while individuals with dark skin face mockery, exclusion and prejudices. From art to everyday life, the obsession with fair skin remains deeply rooted and reveals a painful contrast with the famous cultural and educational achievements of Kerarals. The revelation of the main secretary Saradha Muraleedharan focuses on her skin and further reveals a real state.
When Cuckoo noveky entered her class Bharatanatyam in Adyar Kalakshertra, she met with giggling and whisper. Dating from a small village in the district of Kerala Thrissur, the then teenager was not unprepared to mockery that came with her dark skin. Her classmates expected a “cute and lively” girl when they heard her name, but instead saw a dark girl with a dark skin-they called surprises and discomfort.
“They were amazed,” Cuckoo recalls.
This reaction was only the beginning of a long struggle with colorism and prejudice that would form her journey as a dancer and a woman. “I was an obvious choice for characters with a negative shade such as Hidimbi, Rakshasa’s wife Bhima or Thadak, demon in the performances,” he says.
After completing her training and returning to Kerala, Cuckoo realized that he was not easy to be a dark -skinned dancer. “We have to fight for every step. The company examines everything – our clothes, accessories we walk,” he says.
Today, Cuckoo, a brother -in -law graduate, practices as a lawyer in Thrissur. But her journey was not without a fight. “The company turned me into a rebel,” she thought. “I began to question its standards and apply my own conditions.”
“Policy of Black”
At the age of 45 with a cuckoo-dark skin and curved-plated model. Her inspirational journey was captured in the documentary Karuppazhaki (Black Beauty), which examines the “black policy” in Kerala.
Karuppazhaki, directed by Mini IG, immerses deep into social prejudices that are still growing in the allegedly progressive state. It emphasizes permanent casteism and racism, which continues to permeate Keral society, despite its high literacy and rich cultural heritage.
“Many have asked if we should still discuss the caste and racial discrimination in Kerala,” Mini thinks. “Only those who tolerate these hardships really understand the depth of the fight. Racist discrimination is deeply rooted in our society. We continue in hopeless admiration for anything white.”
“Being dark skin is angry. Being dark skin is bitter,” says Emmanuel Mettles, a psychologist-artist who made an exhibition of painting “Me, The Dark” on this topic.
“As a dark complex woman, I faced a point that was shameful many times,” says Mrs. Mettles.
As a psychology, she often encounters children who tolerate similar humiliation and leave them emotionally broken with broken self -esteem. “How can we expect these fractures to grow into strong and capable adults?” She asks. “The critical view of society destroys their trust.”
The ubiquitous discrimination based on skin color is deeply linked to the caste and domination of the class-“the fifth admiration towards the upper class”, says the marked dancer RLV Ramakrishnan, who fights another dancer who has made his notes about him.
“Her claims that fair skin and attractive appearance are a prerequisite for classical art, reflect the predominant public perception and is” obviously racist and offensive “,” Ramakrishnan notes.
“Casteism corrodes classical art in Kerala,” says Ramakrishnan.
“Classical artistic forms such as Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam, Chayar Koothu, Kathakali and Karnatic music, traditionally dominated by the Castes. Kerara Society was constantly reluctant to recognize and appreciate artists from these privileged groups,” he adds.
Published – March 26, 2025 14:02
