Music maestro Ilaiyaraaja was asked not to enter Srivilliputhur Aandal temple in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar on Sunday evening. Videos circulating on social media show Ilaiyaraaja being escorted out of the temple’s sanctum sanctorum. Reportedly, Ilaiyaraaja visited the temple to seek blessings ahead of the release of his music composition ‘Divya Pasuram’.
Music maestro Ilaiyaraaja was reportedly asked not to enter Srivilliputhur Aandal temple in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar on Sunday evening. Several videos circulating on social media show Ilaiyaaraaja being escorted out of the temple premises. According to media reports, the temple officials asked him to step out of the temple’s sacred chamber.
Reportly, Ilaiyaraaja visited the temple to seek blessings ahead of the release of his music composition ‘Divya Pasuram’. He was accompanied by Sadagopa Ramanuja Iyer and Sadagopa Ramanuja Jeeyar of the Sri Andal Jeeyar Mutt in Svrilliputtur.
A now-viral video shows the award-winning musician being asked to leave the garbagriha, the sacred inner sanctum of the temple where the deity is housed.
SHOCKING: Ilaiyaraaja denied entry✖️ to Sanctum Sanctorum and asked to get out by the priests at Srivilliputhur Andal Temple🛕 pic.twitter.com/Aii7GQPg6k
— Manobala Vijayabalan (@ManobalaV) December 16, 2024
Why was Ilaiyaaraaja stopped from entering?
While it is not known why the veteran composer was asked to leave the temple, netizens claimed that he became a victim of caste-based discrimination as he is a Dalit. On the other hand, a report in News18 confirmed that the composer entered a space that is not allowed to the public.
A social media user claimed that when Ilaiyaaraaja entered the sanctum of the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple, the priests, and devotees informed him that he was violating the rules of the temple. Thereafter, the musician came out of the sanctum sanctorum and offered prayers from outside.
When Ilaiyaraaja entered the sanctum of the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple, the priests and devotees informed him that there were violations in the reception and requested him to exit. Subsequently, Ilaiyaraaja came out of the sanctum and had the opportunity to have a darshan of the… pic.twitter.com/WTiOex5eDX
— Mahalingam Ponnusamy (@mahajournalist) December 16, 2024
Ilaiyaaraaja has not reacted to the viral videos yet. The temple officials are also yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.
Ilaiyaaraaja, often referred to as the Isaignani (musical genius), is one of India’s most celebrated composers and a Rajya Sabha MP. Born in 1943 in Pannaipuram, Tamil Nadu, he revolutionized Indian music by mixing classical, folk, and Western elements.
Over a career spanning five decades, he has composed for over 1,000 films and created more than 7,000 songs, earning accolades such as the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhusan.
Known for his mastery of orchestration, he was the first Asian musician to perform at London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. His work surpasses language barriers, leaving an indelible mark on global music.
