India's classical music and dance 'guru' system hit by abuse allegations

Female musicians say abuse by gurus has been an open secret for years in a culture where toxic and old-fashioned patriarchy' holds sway

One of India's most venerated cultural traditions - the centuries-old guru-shishya (disciple) method of learning classical music and dance - has been hit by allegations of sexual abuse.

A group of 90 female classical musicians issued a statement in September, alleging sexual abuse and exploitation of female disciples by their gurus. They described a fear-driven culture of silence" that forced women to submit to the sexual demands of their gurus for fear of having to end their careers.