Sunday, May 1 2005 10:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: As the controversy raged over the chairmanship of Sangeet Natak Academy provoking a spate of resignations, the Government has taken a serious note of it and is likely to firm up its view on the matter soon.

"The matter with regard to Sangeet Natak Academy is being looked into and the Government will come out with its view soon," sources said.

They said that pending any final decision on the matter, the resignations of all the members protesting the alleged autocratic and undemocratic style of functioning of chairperson Sonal Mansingh, will not be accepted.

"It is still status quo and the Government is looking into all the aspects related to the issue, including the allegations," the sources said, adding the matter came under the purview of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition's detoxification campaign.

Trouble started brewing in the Academy when Carnatic vocalist K Balamuralikrishna, a member of the Executive Board, tendered his resignation, protesting the style of functioning of Mansingh.

Soon after, the Academy's vice-chairman and a noted theatre personality Kavalam Narayana Panicker also resigned, deepening the crisis.

This was followed by more resignations and a delegation of about 60 artistes approaching President A P J Abdul Kalam, seeking sacking of the danseuse, as the chairperson, who has denied the allegations levelled on her.

Both the parties have also met Union Culture Minister S Jaipal Reddy and put forth their views.

Of a total of 68 members in the General Council of the Academy, so far 12 have resigned, including three Government nominees who were on the Executive Board.

Mansingh, who was appointed in late 2003 by the erstwhile Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government for a five-year term, is also accused of having saffron leanings.