Hinduphobic Kamal Hassan describes Carnatic music’s most prominent composer Tygaraja as a ‘beggar’; Musicians demand unconditional apology

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Hassan known for his Hinduphobia has made yet another controversial remark by describing one of the three saint composers of Carnatic music Sri Tygarajar as a “beggar”.

Kamal Hassan was in a conversation with co-actor Vijay Sethupathi, another known Hindu baiter, on Instagram, when he allegedly made the offensive remarks. Several Carnatic musicians have expressed their displeasure by condemning him and sought his unconditional apology.

Kamal Hassan’s public display of Hinduphobia is not new. He heads the political party Makkal Needhi Miam which he founded. While addressing a public meeting last year in a Muslim dominated area, he had claimed that “Independent India’s first terrorist was a Hindu and his name was Nathuram Godse. It was then that terrorism started”. In November 2017, he openly talked about “Hindu extremism”.

Carnatic musicians including vocalist Palghat Ramaprasad have started a online petition on Change.org demanding an apology from the actor. The petition says that “The specific reference to Tyagarajar and Lord Rama, also suggests the negatively pointed target on a specific religion/caste, which is indeed an insult to the followers of this faith”.

Palghat Ramaprasad has said the reference to the much revered Saint was derogatory in nature. “It hurt musicians and those who follow the Bhakti Marga. Tyagaraja was not begging for anything on the streets of Thanjavur. It is called Unja viruthi. Whatever the people gave he would be happy. His signing in praise of Lord Rama and performing Unchavirthi was his way of life”, he said.

Malladi brothers said Tygarajar was neither a mendicant nor a beggar. “He was a great ‘Haridasa” going around the streets spreading and singing the glory of Rama. Tyagaraja never resorted unworthy way of disreputable people and never flattered others to earn subsistence. Tyagarajar was a nada yogi and any comments on this avatara purush are highly condemnable”.

Noted devotional singer Raju Veeramani has said that it was not Tygaraja who begged but it was Kamal Hassan who literally begged the Muslims to allow the release his film Viswarupam. BJP leader Omampuliyar Jayaraman in a video message said, “When his brother threw out Tygarajar’s Ramar idols and others in a river, he got them back with the divine help. Thanjavur king Saraboji Maharajas offered him gold, diamonds, coin, the saint had refused to sing in praise of an ordinary mortal. He said he would sing on Rama only. He was never after money nor fame”.

Advocate B Jagganath pointed out that there is a difference between Begging and ‘Unja Viruthi’. Unja Viruthi is the highest form spiritual enlightenment and nirvana that one can achieve as demonstrated by Lord Buddha in his life. He said “Kamal Hassan himself had on many occasions begged. During the release of Viswarupam- I, he faced trouble in making it to theatres. More than 24 Muslim outfits, hardily 5 percent of the state population made him to say he had to lose everything if the film was not released.”

Kamal Hassan is the representative of an industry filled with Hinduphobes. Thanks to the continuous rule of the Dravidian parties in TN, a peculiar political evolution came into existence which has also spilled over to the film industry which is also controlled by several Dravidian politicians, especially from the DMK.

Last month actor Jothika Surya, a Muslim by birth, had commented, “What is the need to spend crores of rupees on the maintenance of Thanjavur Big temple while hospitals are sinking.” Two years back lyrist Vairamuthu shamefully termed saint Andal a “devadasi”. Dravidiar Kazhagam leader K Veeramani said lord Krishna is a rank womanizer and skirt chaser. None of the media, political parties barring few Hindu leaders dared to condemned them.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan had infamously said, Kanchi, Tirupathi, Sri rangam temples should be demolished to make way for Buddha Viharas. Recently, former Union Minister Dayandhi Maran remarked that Prime minister and the TN Chief Ministers were seeking alms from the beggars (people) for the Corona Virus relief fund. Compliant has been filed against him.

Protests of people against such remarks went unheeded and neither the media nor the TN government demanded an apology or take any serious action against them.