Music maestro Ilaiyaraaja’s visit to the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple in Tamil Nadu on Sunday evening, ahead of the release of his composition ‘Divya Pasuram’, became the centre of a controversy after his request to go near the sanctum was denied by temple authorities who said that as per protocol, devotees are usually not allowed there.
Videos circulating on social media, in which Ilaiyaraaja was seen being escorted out of the temple’s inner chambers, triggered claims that the composer, who is from the Dalit community, was denied entry due to his caste.
Ilaiyaraaja has reacted to the Tamil Nadu controversy, denying such rumours. Taking to his X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “Some people are spreading false rumours by making me the centre of attention. I am not someone who will ever compromise on my self-respect, nor will I ever do so. They are spreading stories that never happened as if they did. Fans and people should not believe these rumours.”
Ilaiyaraaja was accompanied by Sri Satakopa Ramanuja Jeeyar and Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swami of the Sri Andal Jeeyar Mutt.