Thiruvananthapuram: Taking strong exception to the State Government’s decision to pay salary to Kerala Kalamandalam Chancellor Mallika Sarabhai, former Kalamandalam registrar N R Grama Prakash said it is an improper practice to pay someone who has not done any work. 

The government had earlier said while appointing Mallika as its chancellor instead of the Governor, that she would not be paid any salary. However, now the government is moving to pay Rs 2 Lakh as salary to her.

The decision will cripple the Kalamandalam financially. He criticised that it is not right to pay such a huge amount when the Kalamandalam does not have the capacity to pay even the employees. He also held that Mallika has no additional qualification beyond being a Bharatanatyam artiste.

The former registrar also alleged that everyone wished Kalamandalam Gopi Asan to be the Vice-Chancellor. However, the government did not consider anyone more qualified than Mallika, he added while speaking to the media.

In 2022, the State Government appointed Mallika as the Chancellor of Kalamandalam Deemed University. Mallika's appointment came after the Governor was removed from the chancellorship. The government had earlier said that the appointment of new chancellors would not cause any financial burden.

Mallika Sarabhai, who was appointed as the Chancellor by the government citing that there would be no financial burden, has demanded for salary months ago. It is learned that she has asked for a higher salary and benefits than the Vice Chancellor as she is the Chancellor. Kalamandalam was providing Mallika with travel expenses and other facilities.