Rules stop dancer-turned-cop’s performance

Like any artiste, Surekha Korde – a lavani dancer for more than a decade – wanted to make a grand exit from the stage, before starting her career as a police sub-inspector. However, government rules did not allow her to do so.

Like any artiste, Surekha Korde – a lavani dancer for more than a decade – wanted to make a grand exit from the stage, before starting her career as a police sub-inspector. However, government rules did not allow her to do so.

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Currently training at Nashik, Korde wanted to hold two last performances – in Sangli and Kolhapur on February 20 and 21 – to thank people for supporting her for so long. The publicity, too, stated that the woman in khaki would never perform again. All the tickets at Sangli’s Deenanath Mangeshkar auditorium were sold out.

Korde, a graduate from the University of Pune, has been performing as a dancer since she was nine. She shot to fame with the programme ‘Lavanyasakhi’.

Unaware of the service rules, Dadasaheb Jondhale, the organizer, had announced the farewell show. However, on the day of the performance, the police called the organisers and reminded them that as per government rules. Korde cannot participate in any commercial activity. She can only be a part of charity show, if the higher authorities permit her to do so. Korde too was contacted and was asked to stay back in Pune. Consequently, both her shows were cancelled. The disappointed fans were told that she cannot perform due to unavoidable reasons.

Surekha, however, is upset with the development. “So far, I have given more than 2,000 performances. I wanted to say good-bye to my fans before beginning my new inning. I was not aware of the rules. I had already declared that I would not perform hereafter,” said Surekha.

Kavita Nerkar, Sangli DYSP, said that they did not interfere in the function in any manner but drew attention of the concerned individuals to the service rules.