CHENNAI: In the wake of allegations that music maestro Ilayaraja was insulted at Andal temple in Srivilliputhur, in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar district, the Hindu religious and charitable endowments department (HR & CE) clarified on Monday that only Jeeyars, priests, and temple staff are permitted inside the “Artha Mandapam” (adjoining sanctum sanctorum). Ilayaraja was stopped before entering the mandapam. Meanwhile, Ilayaraja responded by urging his fans not to believe the rumours.
An HR & CE official was responding to criticism that Ilayaraja was insulted in the temple on Sunday as he was prevented from entering the sanctum sanctorum.
In an official release, HR & CE joint commissioner from Madurai K Chelladurai said, “Artha Mandapam is present next to the sanctum sanctorum, and according to the existing customs of the temple, only priests, pontiffs, and temple staff are permitted into the mandapam.” Ilayaraja accompanied a Jeeyar to the mandapam, and when he tried to enter the Artha Mandapam by stepping inside, he was stopped and the customary practice was explained to him, said the release. Ilayaraja worshipped from the entrance of the “Artha Mandapam”. Only the Jeeyar went inside and offered prayers, the release added.
Following the incident, there were rumours that Ilayaraja was insulted, and that he “lost his self-respect”. Ilayaraja responded on X, saying, “Some are spreading rumours about me. I am not a person to compromise on my self-respect anytime, anywhere. They are spreading news that did not happen. Fans and people should not believe these rumours.”
Lyricist Vairamuthu was caught in a controversy in 2018 when he, quoting the verses of author S C Malik, said Andal was a “Devadasi”. Following the controversy, Vairamuthu apologised.
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