Actor-Politician Kamal Hassan received flak from several Carnatic musicians for his lewd comments on Saint Thyagaraja. Hassan, in a video chat with actor Vijay Sethupathi and a film reviewer while talking about why he did commercial films like Sakalakalaavallavan during his career said that “It wouldn’t have been possible for me to start Rajkamal Film had I not done films like that. This is a business where we sell ticket. I am not here singing songs for Dharma like how Thyaga Iyer did by begging on the streets of Thanjavur”.
This has not gone down well with musicians and other people as Saint Thyagaraja is considered as one of the trinities of Carnatic Music.
Palghat Ramprasad, a well-known vocalist has started a petition condemning and demanding apology from the actor-politician.
“Every Carnatic musician, regardless of how they exhibit their affiliation to the outside world, deep within themselves know that they owe every bit of their basic livelihood and professional success, to Sri Thyagaraja’s contribution to Carnatic Music”, Mr. Ramprasad wrote in the petition. He further added that “The specific reference to Thygarajar 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.”
Hasan in his video was referring to “unjuvrithi”, a ritual undertaken by devout Hindus, where they go one house after another to get contributions in the form rice, vegetables, fruits, etc. The practice, however has gone irrelevant now, can be seen practiced on the occasions of ‘Radha Kalyanam’.
Popular singer duo Ranjani-Gayathri, known for their outspoken views tweeted that “Tyagaraja Swami is beyond all this. Wiser not to put spotlight on ignorant opinions of unimportant and unworthy people. Ignoring is best.”