BBC bans Rudyard Kipling’s Mandalay from its VJ Day commemorations

The BBC has banned Rudyard Kipling’s Mandalay from its VJ Day commemorations after a performer involved complained that a section of it is ‘derogatory to people of colour’. Mandalay tells the tale of the suffering of Tommy Atkins, an ordinary soldier who fought tirelessly in battle only to be consigned to oblivion once peacetime was achieved.

The removal of Kipling’s celebrated poem has been criticised by the veterans organisation the Burma Star Association. The plan for Sir Willard White to perform Mandalay on Saturday was abandoned after a run-through of readings and songs at the Cenotaph. UNN’s Oliver Down understands that Sir Willard didn’t feel comfortable with the line “an wastin’ Christian kisses on an ’eathen idol’s foot” as he felt it ‘derogatory to people of colour’.

Sir Willard’s manager, Julia Maynard did confirm that ‘Sir Willard was invited by the BBC to sing Mandalay’. But would not be drawn on the reasoning behind the removal of the song only adding: ‘In the end, another choice of song was made.’

The BBC is also currently declining to offer a substantive response. A spokesman has said: ‘Many songs and contributions are considered when planning events such as this, with the final running order only being confirmed shortly before recording’.

The omission of the poem has been criticised by the Burma Star Association. The administrator of the Association Phil Crawley has said ‘We were certainly not consulted’. Mr Crawley has also explained that Mandalay was a favourite marching tune for the men of the 14th Army in Burma. He also added ‘In 2015, a major part of the Service on Horse Guards Parade was a reading of Mandalay by Charles Dance. Many members have asked for it to be played at their final commitment’.

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