My only intention to praise Andal, says Tamil poet Vairamuthu after controversial remark about saint

Vairamuthu quoted from 'Indian Movement: Some Aspects of Dissent, Protest and Reform,' a book which claims Andal was a "devadasi" who lived in the Srirangam temple near Trichy,

Priyamvatha P.  | Edited by Ganesh Kumar Radha Udayakumar
Chennai, January 9, 2018 | UPDATED 22:19 IST
Tamil poet and lyricist Vairamuthu (Photo: Twitter/@vairamuthu)Tamil poet and lyricist Vairamuthu (Photo: Twitter/@vairamuthu)

Highlights

  • 1
    Poet Vairamuthu's remarks on saint Andal spark controversy
  • 2
    Vairamuthu's comments mischievous: TN BJP leader
  • 3
    The poet issued a clarification and an apology

National Award winning lyricist Vairamuthu says a controversial term he used to describe the Vaishnavite saint Andal was only a quote from a book, and claims he intended to praise the revered Krishna devotee.

In a recent speech, the celebrated poet quoted from 'Indian Movement: Some Aspects of Dissent, Protest and Reform,' a book which claims Andal was a "devadasi" who lived in the Srirangam temple near Trichy, considered by Hindus as one of Tamil Nadu's holiest shrines.

"Devotees won't accept this. But those who are against inequalities will think about it," he added.

The poet's comments infuriated several BJP leaders, and drew the ire of social media users.

Tamil Nadu BJP leader H Raja said Vairamuthu's remarks were "mischievous," and that the newspaper which published them had lost its "quality" and "respect" in a second. One Twitter user said the poet should be "ashamed" to call himself one.

Vairamuthu apologised on Twitter.

"In my speech published as the article "Thamizhai Andal," I had only quoted a book. That's not my opinion. My only intention was to praise Andal. I wanted to define her personality." he said.

He added that he hadn't intended to hurt anyone, and that if he'd done so, he regretted it.

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