We have lost our sense of humour: CBFC's Leela Samson

In a country of over 1.2 billion people to arrive at a consensus on what is acceptable to society can be very difficult. So when the Parliament and the government reacts the way they have in the case of the NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) political science textbooks and the Dr Ambedkar cartoons, you know that it will have a deep impact on the spirit of India.

Are, we as a people, becoming thin-skinned and hypersensitive? And how do these incidence and decisions impact people who have been entrusted with protecting or guarding our sensibilities?
To answer these questions CNBC-TV18's Anuradha Sengupta caught up with acclaimed dancer and artist Leela Samson, who is also the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the Sangeet Natak Academy. Below is an excerpt of Samson's interview on CNBC-TV18. Watch videos for the entire show. Q: Would you agree that democratic spaces, that we fought so hard and the constitution and constitution makers have fought so hard to create, are shrinking in this country?
A: Unfortunately, it is and these spaces are getting constricted by our lack of sense of humour. We take ourselves rather seriously. We are also hypersensitive as the days go by about little things that sometimes don’t really matter. Humour was very much the backbone of our arts at one time.
As you notice, in all the classical forms it's conspicuous by its absence. In only some forms like Kathakali did you have that element of social repartee and little bit of asides that the actor actually did to the public talking about a local statesman of some kind. But now daren't somebody even try that now for fear of a repercussion. Q: As an artist and someone who works in this space. would you see this as a natural evolution of society? Are you worried with these instances because they happen sporadically but they add up to a picture of our society, which I don't know whether we should be nervous about or feel that okay doesn't matter, it will sort itself out?
A: On one hand, you can say that things are cyclical. A period of conservatism is followed by a period of liberty and liberalism. On the other hand, a film like 'Arakshan', for instance, is also somebody taking advantage of that situation. That's what is frightening. When everybody is hand in glove in the situation trying to get the maximum publicity or public awareness about nothing--it's a no issue.
That for me is very frightening where you don’t know who is in compliance with this. It's not political parties alone; it is not parliamentarians alone. It starts from other sources and it is amazing how politically motivated these things are in that sense. Q: Then is it disturbing when the government gives in so easily like it has in the NCERT textbook case?
A: The government also is answerable to so many pressures. On the one hand, as Chairman of CBFC for instance, I try and understand what the pressures on a government that has to always play into the hands of an opposition, or to another party or a social group or caste group or whatever. But it is frightening; as an artist I find it absolutely not acceptable.
If a time comes in this country when an artist is not able to express himself or herself or an actor cannot say, even a cuss word if they like, or cannot put a cigarette in their mouth because they are enacting whoever--these are very important issues. You don't have to apologize for everything that you are doing.
If it comes to that you are actually killing the heart and soul of what creative process is mean and they need not be taken so seriously. It's something that we have to learn to live with that we all are different and that we all have different opinions. Especially, children. They always use children as an excuse, almost undermining the intelligence and sensitivity of a child.