Fact Check: Ilayaraaja received ceremonious welcome at Srivilliputhur Andal temple, viral video makes false claim
Music maestro Ilaiyaraaja is a renowned music composer, he composed more than 7000 songs and provided scores for more
Ilayaraaja
Music maestro Ilaiyaraaja is a renowned music composer, he composed more than 7000 songs and provided scores for more than 1000 movies, and performed in more than 20000 concerts. He has won over 40 Filmfare awards south, 15 national film awards, and also Padma Bhushan, India’s third civilian award. He is a Rajya Sabha MP. Ilaiyaraaja is known for his innovative and distinctive musical style that revolutionized Tamil film music. He introduced a fresh and experimental approach by blending various genres such as Indian classical music, folk, Western classical, jazz, and rock. His compositions were characterized by complex orchestrations, rich melodies, and intricate harmonies, setting him apart from his contemporaries.
Meanwhile, videos of Ilaiyaraaja visiting Srivilliputhur Andal Temple in Tamil Nadu on December 15, 2024, ahead of the release of his composition ‘Divya Pasuram’ are in circulation with the claim that the temple authorities did not allow him to enter the temple sanctum and he was not welcomed. Some X users shared news article screenshots with the caption in Hindi “हिंदुओं ने छुआछूत के ख़िलाफ़ लड़ाई लड़ी? बेशर्म ये आज ही की ख़बर है पढ़ ले एक सांसद को मंदिर में घुसने से रोक दिया गया है “ . When translated it claims “Hindus fought against untouchability? Shameless, this is today's news, read it, an MP has been stopped from entering a temple “.
Fact Check:
The claim is Misleading. Ilaiyaraaja was not stopped from entering the sanctum of the Srivilliputhur Andal temple, because he is a Dalit. None of the devotees are allowed in the sanctum.
When we searched using the keywords, we found several news articles sharing the incident. We found another X user’s post sharing his personal experience when he visited Srivilliputhur Andal Temple, he observed that people from all castes and strata of society are treated with the same respect. There are areas of the temple where only the priests are allowed, which is common practice.
According to an article in Indian Express, Accompanied by Sri Satakopa Ramanuja Jeeyar and Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swami of the Sri Andal Jeeyar Mutt, Ilaiyaraaja was welcomed by joint commissioner K Sellathurai of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.
Before the scheduled event, Ilayaraja and some priests proceeded to the temple’s key sanctums, including the Andal Sannidhi (sanctum), Nandavanam (temple garden), and Periya Perumal Sannidhi.
A senior Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department official stated “At the Andal Sannidhi, devotees typically offer prayers from the Vasantha Mandapam, a pavilion located outside the Arthamandapam — the intermediary space leading to the sanctum sanctorum. When Ilaiyaraaja, along with the senior priests, approached the entrance of the Arthamandapam, the priests informed him that entry beyond the Vasantha Mandapam was restricted. Consequently, Ilaiyaraaja offered his prayers from the designated area.”
After the temple visit, Ilaiyaraaja was honored with Andal’s garlands and silk garments. He then attended a cultural event at the Aadi Pooram Kottagai, where musicians performed Andal’s Pasurams from his ‘Divya Pasuram’ album, followed by a Bharatanatyam performance. The event was organized to mark the beginning of the Margazhi month, a period when the temple hosts thousands of devotees.
Refuting all the rumors, Ilaiyaraaja clarified on X that ‘Some people are spreading false rumors centered around me. I am not one to compromise my self-respect at any time or place and I will not compromise. They are spreading news that did not happen as if it happened. Fans and the public should not believe the rumors.
Therefore, the claim that renowned Music Composer Ilayaraja, who is a Dalit, was stopped from entering the Temple is Misleading.
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