"VAN" (International Desk - 07.12.2025) :: Hindus are urging the Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera in Warsaw (Poland) to withdraw “La Bayadère” ballet; scheduled between March 27-June 30, 2026; which they feel seriously trivializes Eastern religious and other traditions.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera, one of Poland’s most important cultural institutions and one of the largest opera and ballet theatres in Europe, under the oversight of the Poland Ministry of Culture; should not be in the business of callously promoting appropriation of traditions, elements and concepts of “others”; and ridiculing entire communities.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated that this deeply problematic ballet was just a blatant belittling of a rich civilization and exhibited 19th-century orientalist attitudes. He also urged Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera to apologize for such an inappropriate offering.
Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera should have shown some maturity before blessing a ballet like “La Bayadère” (The Temple Dancer), displaying Western caricaturing of Eastern heritage, and abetting ethnic stereotyping; Rajan Zed noted.
It was highly irresponsible for an establishment like Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera to allow 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. Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera could do better than this to serve its diverse stakeholders; Zed stated.
Rajan Zed suggested Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera General Director Boris Kudlička and Music Director Patrick Fournillier; Polish National Ballet Director
Krzysztof Pastor and Manager for Programming/Organization Paweł Chynowski; and other related managers to re-evaluate the systems and procedures and send its staff for cultural sensitivity training so that such inappropriate stuff did not slip through in the future.
Zed is also urging this ballet sponsors Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland, BMW (German luxury automobile and motorcycle manufacturer), ORLEN (major Polish energy company); and media patron Polish Radio (largest public radio broadcaster in Poland); to withdraw their support immediately to this “La Bayadère” production. Zed also requested Poland Minister of Culture and National Heritage Marta Cienkowska to seriously look into this issue of misleading and insensitive portrayals.
Like many others, Hindus also consider ballet as one of the revered art forms which offers richness and depth. But we are well into 21st century now, and outdated “La Bayadère”, which was first presented in St. Petersburg (Russia) in 1877, is long overdue for permanent retirement from the world stage; Rajan Zed points out.
Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera describes this production of “La Bayadère” (Choreographer Natalia Makarova, Conductor Alexei Baklan, organized by Polish National Ballet) as a “deeply moving” and “romantic show” and “A beautiful Hindu tale of love and its power to transcend death”. This three-hours long ballet with two intermissions, will be shown for 11 days between March 27-June 30, 2026; and its many shows are already “Sold Out”.
Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera is the home of the Polish National Opera, the Polish National Ballet, the Opera Gallery and the Theatre Museum. Teatr Wielki was erected in 1825–33.
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