Hindus dismayed over revival of culturally insensitive ballet "La Bayadère" in Oslo

OSLO, Norway - April 13, 2026 - PRLog -- Hindus are upset at the taxpayer funded Norwegian National Opera & Ballet (Den Norske Opera & Ballett) (DNO&B) for re-announcing "La Bayadère" ballet; which they protested in 2022 as "culturally insensitive", outdated and seriously trivializing Eastern religious and other traditions.

"La Bayadère" is announced to run from April 17 to May 14 on the Main Stage of Opera House in Oslo. Hindus have termed this revival as "a step backward for cultural sensitivity in the performing arts", and have asked for the immediate cancellation of the upcoming ballet performances. It was previously showcased by DNO&B in Oslo on March 23-April 07, 2022.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it was so sad that DNO&B; which is "wholly-owned by the Norwegian state", ignoring previous pleas, chose to re-hurt the feelings of Hindus by callously promoting appropriation of traditions, elements and concepts of "others"; and ridiculing entire communities.

It was just a repeat dismissal of serious cultural harm. These issues were thoroughly outlined to the concerned four years ago. DNO&B should stop celebrating and profiting from historical prejudice; Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stated.

Rajan Zed indicated that this deeply problematic ballet was just a blatant belittling of a rich civilization and exhibited 19th-century orientalist attitudes. He also urged DNO&B to apologize for such an inappropriate selection and repeat it again despite knowing about the objection of the Hindus in the first instance.

Norwegian National Ballet, which claims to be "Norway's classically based ballet company", should have shown some maturity before selecting and then re-exhibiting a ballet like "La Bayadère" (The Temple Dancer), displaying disrespectful Western caricaturing of Eastern heritage and abetting ethnic stereotyping; Zed noted.

It was highly irresponsible for DNO&B, whose "Towards 2030" statement on its website claims— "…we offer a place where people can find peace…inclusive community…we strengthen both individuals and our society…we create impact…we build community…"; to repeatedly choose such a ballet which had been blamed for patronizing flawed mishmash of orientalist stereotypes, dehumanizing cultural portrayal and misrepresentation, offensive and degrading elements, needless appropriation of cultural motifs, essentialism, shallow exoticism, caricaturing, etc. DNO&B could do better than this to serve its diverse stakeholders; Rajan Zed pointed out.

Zed also urged Norwegian Minister of Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery; who "is responsible for cultural policy, equality- and discrimination policy"; to seriously look into this issue of cultural stereotyping by DNO&B, whose board is appointed by the Norwegian Ministry of Culture.