Alva's Nudisiri, the seventh annual literary and cultural convention organised by Alva's Education Foundation was mired by controversy on Sunday after various Dalit groups charged the organisers with practising casteism and lodged a complaint with the Commissioner of Police.

At the nub of the issue is the alleged discriminatory treatment shown to a troupe of drummers from the Koraga Scheduled Tribes at the event. The drummers, alleged the Dalit groups, were not allowed to perform on stage alongside other artistes and instead relegated to welcoming the dignitaries near the entrance.

In their complaint, the Dalit goups, led by S.P. Ananda of Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (Ambedkar vaada), also alleged that the Koraga drummers were not allowed to eat along with others and were made to sit separately. Claiming that it smacked of ajalu practice in the region where Koragas were treated as untouchables, Mr. Ananda said: “The presence of Koragas was considered a bad omen on social occasions. But their drums were believed to have special powers. So, they were made to beat their drums outside the boundaries of the village.”

But the Koraga drummers told The Hindu that they had no problems with they way they have been treated. “We have been given more than the normal wages for performing here.

“So, what if we have not been invited to perform on stage? There is nothing wrong with that,” said an elderly drummer.

Some other Dalit groups representing the Nelike, Pambada and Parava communities took objection to Bhoota Kola (spirit worship) ritual that was presented as a performance on stage.These communities traditionally don the Bhoota costume.

Pambada Samaja Sangha president Prabhakar Sootrapete said: “We have been fighting against the commercialisation of our rituals. There is also a standing order by the Deputy Commissioner against presenting the ritual as a performance.”

Responding to charges before an open audience during the valedictory function of the three-day event on Sunday, Mr. Mohan Alva, Chairman of the Alva's Education Foundation, said he thought of the Koraga drummers as his “brothers”.He said his institution had always been sensitive to the historical atrocities committed against the Koragas.

“We have funded several programmes for the development of the Koraga people. Such allegations are not only false but also malicious,” he said.

On the Bhoota Kola issue, he said: “Our only objective was to showcase our culture to the thousands of visitors who have come here from all over the country and the world.” Commissioner of Police Seemant Kumar Singh said that he had received the complaints and directed the local police to investigate the matter and submit a report.

Leelavati miffed

Meanwhile, the Alva's Nudisiri Award presentation ceremony was not without controversy as actor Leelavati, one of the recipients, alleged that she was insulted by the organisers.

Speaking after receiving her award, she said that she had been pained at being scheduled as the last speaker of the day before the vote of thanks.

The organisers immediately apologised.

Later, her son Vinodraj said that his mother might have reacted in such a way since she was ill.“Her love for Mohan Alva (chairman of the Alva's Education Trust) and for Nudisiri has not diminished. Her intention was never to hurt anybody,” he added.