Tamil poet and lyricist Vairamuthu is the latest celebrity to be accused of sexual assault as part of the #MeToo campaign that is fast gaining traction in India. The survivor chose to remain anonymous as Sandhya Menon, the journalist who unmasked the predatory sides of many prominent members of the media, shared a screenshot of the woman’s harrowing account on Twitter late last evening.
On lyricist Vairamuthu pic.twitter.com/c6DwYWOO6C
— Sandhya Menon (@TheRestlessQuil) October 8, 2018
According to the survivor, the incident occurred when she was eighteen years old and was working with the poet for a project. She alleged that under the pretext of explaining lyrics, “he came to me, hugged me and kissed me.” She soon ran away from his house. Scared at the thought of having to share a workspace alone with him, the woman made sure that she was surrounded by people whenever she had to work with him again. The woman also claimed that “it is an open secret” in the film industry that Vairamuthu was a predator.
Apart from her, two other women had also come out with their experiences of assault involving Vairamuthu. In a screenshot shared by Chinmayi last evening, a friend of hers who wished to remain anonymous alleged that the lyricist had almost kissed her when she met him at his Besant Nagar residence. In one of her messages, the survivor has said that all her friends and singers know about the ordeal.
I cannot stop shaking.
My Friend will remain anonymous.@vairamuthu
A D V E R T I S E M E N TWhy people cannot share at the risk of their careers.
And bloody hell #MeToo!! pic.twitter.com/REj1UcTxtL
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) October 8, 2018
Another allegation of assault was shared by Sandhya Menon this morning in which a survivor recounted an incident with the lyricist when she was in her late teens. She alleged that Vairamuthu had called her over to his pad in Seethammal Colony under the pretext of appreciating her work and had tried to touch her inappropriately. She had then managed to escape from the house.
Meanwhile, singer Chinmayi, who has been tweeting in support of the women speaking out against Vairamuthu, had to respond to questions that wanted to know if she would continue to sing the songs of the lyricist. She said that she will sing his songs, but “I’m sure *HE* will make sure I don’t sing anymore.”
I *will* sing the songs that I have sung in his lyrics so far.
Dheivam Thanda Poove, Sara Sara, Mayya are some of my finest songs that display MY singing prowess in some composer’s fantastic work.
Anyway I am sure *HE* will make sure I dont sing anymore. https://t.co/IbGP5iorlD— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) October 8, 2018
Vairamuthu’s office did not respond to calls or messages.
