Ace lyricist Vairamuthu is squarely among the men named in the explosive India's #Metoo movement that is gathering steam by the day. The multiple national award winner and Padma Bhushan recipient and writer Vairamuthu, has been accused by a woman of sexual harassment when she had to work with him on songs for a film. The lady sent an anonymous message to journalist Sandhya Menon who has been sort of spearheading the Media#MeToo movement and the accusation against Vaiuramuthu too is public knowledge now.
The woman alleged that the incident took place when she was 18 years old and working with Vairamuthu on a project. She wrote, "In the pretext of explaining lyrics, he came to me, hugged me and kissed me. I did not know what to do. I said ‘OK sir, thank you’ and ran from his house.” She alludes the incident may have taken place at the lyricist’s residence cum office. She added that after the incident she made sure she was never alone with Vairamuthu when she had work to do and that she would always be in a group of people.
She charged the famous writer of lyrics as being a leading predator of the film industry who with his political connections would ensure that his victims kept quiet. "But it happened to me and this is the truth", the survivor of sexual harassment by the famous film personality concluded.
"I do not want to comment on this and you can say just that," Vairamuthu insisted as DC rang him several times for his response to the accusations.
Noted playback singer Chimayi Sripaada has been one of the braver women who revealed all the sexual abuse she had suffered from her childhood and in the movie industry. She put all this out on her twitter account over the past few days with a series of tweets in support of the 'anonymous lady' who had made the allegations against Vairamuthu.
She said, "The Industry knows, the men know the time is bloody up". When one of her followers asked Chinmayi how she could be sure that it's not a fake account, she replied, "It is true and is not fake. So Please. I cannot stop shaking. My Friend will remain anonymous. @vairamuthu Why people cannot share at the risk of their careers. And bloody hell #MeToo.'
After having sought the permission of her anonymous friend, Chinmayi says she is sharing the lady's horrifying experience at the hands of Vairamuthu. The singer asked the anonymous lady, "Can I share this? Anonymous? All my friends know this."
The lady replies, "Yes, hi go ahead and share without my name." And this is how the incident went. "He ordered some buttermilk for me. When I started drinking it, he said a little bit is still on my lips…He came closer. I was sitting in one of those big couches at his Besant Nagar house's huge meeting room. And he almost kissed me. I ran away grabbing my phone and bag."
She adds, "All my friends and singers know about this. I warned them all as soon as it happened to me. It was the worst day of my life. My husband still does not know. He may not allow me to pursue my career."
Reacting to a query that many asked on social media if she would take a stand and not sing his songs, Chinmayi replied. " I *will* sing the songs that I have sung in his lyrics so far. Dheivam Thanda Poove, Sara Sara, Mayya are some of my finest songs that display MY singing prowess in some composer's fantastic work. Anyway I am sure *HE* will make sure I don't sing anymore."
Actor-director Rahul Ravindran stands with her like a rock. He posted, "@Chinmayi I am an actor and a director. And I stand with you. I will continue to work with you. And there's nothing @vairamuthu can do to stop that."
