Popular Tamil film lyricist and novelist Vairamuthu, a close confidant of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, has stirred a controversy in Tamil Nadu by describing Andal, the presiding deity of the Srivalliputhur Andal Temple, as a Devadasi.
While participating in a literary discussion on Andal, the only female poet-saint among the 12 Alvars who were the Vaishnavite Saints of South India, Vairamuthu said that Andal was a Devadasi who lived and died in the Sree Rangam Temple of Thiruchirappalli.
“While devotees will not accept this, those who oppose patriarchy, and those who are against an unequal society will ponder this,” Vairamuthu added. Though he said he was quoting from a research publication authored by Subhash Chandra Malik from USA, the entire Vaishnavite scholars are up in arms against Vairamuthu, who is known for his Dravidian ideology.Vairamuthu is a strong contender for this year's Jnanapeeth award, according to Tamil media.
Shendalangara Sampathkumara Ramanuja Jeeyar, a Vaishnavite scholar who is engaged in elevating the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes in the State into Vaishnavites was the first person to question the intentions of Vairamuthu.
“The emblem of the State of Tamil Nadu is the tower of the Srivalliputhur Andal Temple. This itself speaks lot about the respect and adoration with which Andal is held in Tamil society. Vairamuthu has hurt not only the Vaishnavites but the entire women in the world,” said the Jeeyar while speaking to reporters at Mannargudi.
Interestingly, the comments by Vairamuthu came during a function held to celebrate the poetic works Thiruppavai and Nachiar Thirumozhi composed by Andal. These are described as Sacred Sayings of the Goddess. Tamils hold discourses and recitations of these two celebrated works during the month of Margazhi.
Jeyamohan, celebrated novelist and Sahitya Academy winning writer, said Vairamithu has made a blunder by describing Andal as Devadasi. “She was like Meera, the one who lived and died as a devotee of lord Krishna. Her father Periazhvar brought her up in an atmosphere of love and devotion. The devotion is reflected in her poetic works,” said Jeyamohan.
According to Jeyamohan, a Tamil novelist Cholai Sundara Perumal was the one who described Andal as Devadasi. “But it was in a novel and Vairamuthu might have lifted the same from it.
He may be trying to prove his leftist leanings after the brief sojourn with Tarun Vijay, the former BJP MP. No proof is available anywhere to substantiate Vairamithu’s arguments. But there are enough evidence available which prove that Andal was accorded the status of a Goddess. She is the only Alwar saint who could be seen in the sanctum sanctorum of temples. Vairamuthu has crossed all limits and he should apologize,” said Jeyamohan.
H Raja, national secretary of the BJP too lambasted the lyricist for his comments. “It is a habit of people like Vairamuthu to conduct planned attacks on the feelings of Hindus,” said Raja.
Speaking to reporters, Vairamuthu said he stood by what he told about Andal and there was no need to apologise.
By Tuesday evening, Vairamuthu made a volt face by tweeting that what he told about Andal was not his views but the opinion of a US research scholar. "I regret if anyone has been hurt," tweeted the lyricist, seven time winner of national film awards. .
