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Noted Tamil poet Vairamuthu, in his speech last week, had said that 7th Century saint poet Andal was part of the Devadasi community who lived and died at the Srirangam temple in Tiruchirappalli. He had quoted from the book Indian Movements: Some Aspects of Dissent Protest and Reform. His comments, however, sparked a controversy with members of the BJP, AIADMK launching an attack on the poet. Soon enough #ArrestVairamuthu started trending on Twitter. Even a petition was started on change.org to condemn the poet.
Prime Minister Office: Condemn Vairamuthu for his deregatory speech on Andal https://t.co/KCOiZUuZpI via @ChangeOrg_India
— Sampathkumar ஆனந்த் (@Sampatkanand) January 10, 2018
Dinamani has regretted and apologised. Article withdrawn from their website. Request them to publish a rebuttal article. The author has regretted for the sake of it. Planned a protest at Pondy lead by Jeer Swamy.
— Velukkudi Krishnan (@VelukkudiK) January 10, 2018
Vairamuthu later issued an apology stating that it was not his opinion but that of an independent researcher. According to The Hindu, he said in a statement, “The objective of literature is to elevate the status of literary figures and not to demean them. All know that my entire article speaks of the greatness of Andal. My intention is not to hurt anyone…[But] if I had hurt, I feel sorry.”
Carnatic musician TM Krishna, who had received a lot of flak for his comments on MS Subbulakshmi recently, called the entire controversy around Andal “sexist and casteist.”
In order to protect our false sense of morality, piety and sanctity we repeatedly deride and shame the devadasi. The controversy that erupted over Mr Vairamuthu is deeply disturbing. Those who have taken offence to what he said have shown scant respect to the devadasi community.
— T M Krishna (@tmkrishna) January 10, 2018
The reactions imply that Devadasis are lowly beings, sans any moral or ethical moorings. The reactions seem to be coming from “how can such a pure divine soul such as Andal be referred to as a devadasi. ” This is so problematic. Does Andal become lesser if she was a Devadasi ?
— T M Krishna (@tmkrishna) January 10, 2018
The fact that Mr Vairamuthu apologised only reveals his own disdain for the devadasi community. This entire episode is sexist and casteist.
— T M Krishna (@tmkrishna) January 10, 2018
Those who read devadasi as being = prostitutes, We have to respect prostitutes, too they are people like you and me. We are the ones to blame for all the abuse and violence that they endure.
— T M Krishna (@tmkrishna) January 10, 2018
Even if Mr Vairamuthu was just being nasty, imagine if the reaction had been “we celebrate and worship Andal and if she was indeed a devadasi then we respect that too.” Wouldn’t this has been beautiful ?
— T M Krishna (@tmkrishna) January 10, 2018
