Vairamuthu – the Greatest and highly influential Poet has been caught into sexual harassment, exploitation and sexploitation!

Vairamuthu – the Greatest and highly influential Poet has been caught into sexual harassment, exploitation and sexploitation!

In high-tech industries how sexploitation breeds: Indian, for that matter, any film industry has been a place of exploitation and sexploitation place only. In earlier times, the actresses and other women associated with films might not have expressed their sufferings openly. Or such sexual harassment narratives might have been confined to the film field and gossiping. With the rise of media and social media etc., people get awareness and stated expressing their views opinion and perspective anonymously or openly using social media. Government of India has passed strict legislation to prosecute the sexploiters at working places. In government offices, definitely, women have started coming out, as full support is extended to them. However, in sophisticated industries, including IT sector, most of the sexploitations, harassments and even crimes are suppressed, oppressed and buried with high-tech compromises. Of course, cine-field has been more sophisticated by other means, yet, some of them have come out to pinpoint the sexual animals hiding behind virtuous masks.

“Me Too” exposing sexual animals prowling in cinema industry: While the MeToo movement goes on in India, three anonymous women have accused Vairamuthu, a popular lyricist in Tamil Cinema, of sexual harassment, while another woman accused veteran actor Radha Ravi[1]. Vairamuthu, with political clout reigns supreme and controls all his critics. Though, recently, caught in “Andal controversy” he could manipulate and escape from legal action initiated. Now, started accusations against him by cine-field women. Two female singers spoke of their instances where they were invited to Vairamuthu’s house-cum-office. Both were 18 years old when they were harassed by him[2]. While one of the women said that he hugged and kissed her, the other shared that he closed the room and touched her[3]. Journalist Sandhya Menon tweeted the victims accounts on their behalf[4].

After NanaPatekar and all, now Vairamuthu: After allegations of sexual harassment by Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta on Nana Patekar kicked off the #MeToo movement in India, the campaign has hit Tamil cinema, too, with lyricist Vairamuthu being accused of alleged sexual abuse by a woman, who requested anonymity[5]. This has prompted several others to come forward with their stories on the award-winning lyricist. Singer Chinmayi Sripada, who has been sharing various other #MeToo stories on her social networking page, has reacted and shared the stories on Vairamuthu, too[6]. An anonymous woman has accused the lyricist of sexual harassment at workplace when she was just 18 years of age. Chinmayi shared the story on social media and added, “The industry knows; the men know. #TimesUp The time is bloody up.” The industry knows; the men know. #TimesUp The time is bloody up. https://t.co/UuZpaNQBhm

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) 1538995949000

Chinmayi’s Sripada’s open tweets pointing Vairamuthu: After the first allegation surfaced against Vairamuthu, many others started sharing their story as well. A female singer has alleged that she was asked to join Vairamuthu and a producer at a hotel to spend the night with them, in turn, promising her an opportunity to sing in the producer’s movie.  She accused Tamil poet lyricist Vairamuthu of harassing her when they were both in Switzerland for an album launch or a book launch (she’s not sure) in 2005 or 2006. What she recorded, “Sharing her story on social media, the National Award-winning singer said[7]: “Year 2005/2006 maybe… Veezhamattom, an album for Sri Lankan Tamizhs that I had sung in, as had Manikka Vinayagam sir… We went to Switzerland… We sang… We performed… Everyone left. Only my mother and I were asked to stay back. The organizer (I don’t remember his name) asked me to visit Vairamuthu sir in a hotel in Lucerne. I asked why. He told me to cooperate. I refused. We demanded to be sent back to India. He said ‘You won’t have a career!’ My mother and I both put our foot down… demanded an earlier flight to India and came back.””

Adding another victim’s story. https://t.co/ZrId3wPfrO

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) 1539056335000

18-years girl harassed by Vairamuthu: Another girl has shared her story, too, and according to her, Vairamuthu called her to his office to appreciate her work and tried to touch her inappropriately.

ONE MORE Allegation against @vairamuthu https://t.co/Pj13sHQ0Lb

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) 1539060310000

I cannot stop shaking. My Friend will remain anonymous. @vairamuthu Why people cannot share at the risk of thei… https://t.co/kc6VLGO8oZ

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) 1539021725000

Story of an RJ on @vairamuthu https://t.co/0Uht9lPqCU

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) 1539078928000

Siddharth supports for the cause: Actor Siddharth, who has been proactively tweeting about the #MeToo movement catching up in the Indian film industry, alsobacked Chinmayi Sripaada and tweeted[8]: “Multiple women are speaking out against #Vairamuthu. Without judging anyone, they must be heard. When somebody of Chinmayi’s stature who has so much to lose, stands by the accusers, that’s huge!”

 

Samantha and Varalaxmi too support: Samantha, who has increasingly been speaking out against gender discrimination, took to Twitter and wrote[9], “I am so happy that more and more women are finding the strength to say #MeToo. Your bravery is commendable. I am sorry though that some people, even other women themselves will shame and burden you with the question of proof and doubt. Just know that you are saving many little girls with your voice. I support the #MeTooIndia movement.” She further appreciated singer Chinmayi for her courage to call out Vairamuthu. Actor Varalaxmi Sarathkumar also tweeted in support of the #MeToo movement[10], saying that it was “alarming” to hear these stories. She said that she’d stood up for #MeToo last year and that she wanted more women to come forward and speak up.

Vairamuthu, intellectuality, virtuosity: Vairamuthu, with the political support  reigning supreme in film industry, though, he has less talent than Kannadasan. He has been parading as “Great Poet” and got state and national awards with political recommendations.  The “Andal controversy” exposed his intellectuality of perversity and duplicity. Now comes the sexual harassment accusation. It pierces his virtuosity veil.

• Virtuosity is used particularly to describe musicians, but also often for writers, actors, dancers, and athletes. A virtuoso is a highly skilled performer, and a virtuoso performance is one that astonishes the audience by its feats.
• Psychologically there were no doubt good reasons for my attempt; and it was worth while, if only to see of what excesses I was capable in that sort of virtuosity
• The Law Enforcement Technology Advancement Centre (LETAC) has developed SID version 6.7: a Sadistic, Intelligent, and Dangerous virtual reality entity which is synthesized from the personalities of more than 150 serial killers.
• Virtuosity is a 1995 American science fiction action film directed by Brett Leonard, and starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Howard W. Koch, Jr. served as an executive producer for the film.

In any case, he gets exposed. Better, he stops his advice, discourses etc., given to society and enjoy his life within his private rooms and parlours. The society does not need such spoilers.

© Vedaprakash

10-10-2018

[1] Indian Express, #MeToo: Popular Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu, actor Radha Ravi accused of sexual harrasment, Published: 09th October 2018 02:14 PM  |   Last Updated: 09th October 2018 04:11 PM.

[2] http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2018/oct/09/metoo-popular-tamil-lyricist-vairamuthu-actor-radha-ravi-accused-of-sexual-harrasment-1883182.html

[3] India Today, Lyricist Vairamuthu faces sexual harassment allegations, October 8, 2018

UPDATED: October 9, 2018 10:23 IST.

[4] https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/lyricist-vairamuthu-faces-allegation-of-sexual-harassment-1358726-2018-10-08

[5] Times of India, #MeToo movement: Vairamuthu accused of sexual abuse,TNN | Updated: Oct 9, 2018, 16:12 IST

[6] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/metoo-movement-vairamuthu-accused-of-sexual-abuse/articleshow/66130320.cms

 

[7] NDTV, Singer Chinmayi Sripaada Names Poet Vairamuthu In #MeToo Story; Siddharth Tweets Support, Written by Divya Goyal | Updated: October 09, 2018 22:48 IST

[8] https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/singer-chinmayi-sripaada-names-poet-vairamuthu-in-metoo-story-siddharth-tweets-support-1929438

[9] TheNewsMinute, After Chinmayi tweets on Vairamuthu, Samantha and Varakaxmi stand up for ‘Me Too,’ Tuesday, October 09, 2018 – 12:46

[10] https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/after-chinmayi-tweets-vairamuthu-samantha-and-varalaxmi-stand-me-too-89673

The “Social Media Conclave” of Tamil Nadu Young Thinkers Forum held on Nomber 18th, 2017 in Chennai (2)!

The “Social Media Conclave” of Tamil Nadu Young Thinkers Forum held on Nomber 18^th, 2017 in Chennai (2)!

The second session: The second panel saw Thirunavakarasu, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence speaking on how the police use social media to help keep people safe. He also mentioned how the fig leaf of anonymity is not as true as people believe, and that the police can track abusers and anti-social elements in social media within no time at all. Other speakers spoke about how ministers such as Mrs. Sushma Swaraj use social media for responding to crises and suggested that ministers and bureaucrats in Tamil Nadu could adopt such best practices. Panelists on Citizen Participation in Governance and Role of Social Media were :

1. Sumanth Raman – television anchor and commentator.
2. Thirunavakarasu – Deputy Commissioner, Intelligence, Chennai City Police.
3. Kiruba Shankar – Blogger and Social media professional.
4. Sailesh Davey and Srikanth of Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikalam.
5. Anand C. P. – Founder of Satya Vijayi

Second session audience-LHS

Second session, audience- RHS

The third and last session: The last panel on enhancing the quality of public discourse in social media in Tamil Nadu articulated the futility of trying to control social media, as the users come from very diverse backgrounds. Some well-thought-through advice also came through in this session. The first was to ignore provocative trolling, as any such response only begets further trolling. One should seek timely police intervention when the line of privacy is crossed and social media abuse spills over to real life. The panelists urged users not to trust everything they see on social media and to use social media constructively as a fact-checking medium. Panelists on Enhancing Quality of Public Discourse in Social Media were :

1. Dhanya Rajendran – Editor-in-chief, The News Minute;
2. Anand Ranganathan – Author, Consulting editor, and Columnist, News Laundry;
3. Chinmayi Sripaada – Singer
4. Banu Gomes – Political Analyst and Social Activist

Makandeya Kaju discussed some of the issues[1]: He has been participating in the social media and media debates and presenting his views on many issues. Just for convenience, his views are taken here in the context[2]:

Twisting facts: One of the defects is that the media often twist facts. I would like to give an example. One day, a leading English newspaper published on its front page a photograph of Justice Gyan Sudha Misra of the Supreme Court with the caption: “Supreme Court Judge says that her daughters are liabilities.” This was a distorted and fallacious item of news, published on the front page. Supreme Court Judges have to disclose their assets and liabilities. Against the liabilities column, Justice Misra had written: “two daughters to be married.” Strictly speaking, it was not necessary to mention this because liabilities mean legal liabilities, for example, housing loan, car loan, and so on. Justice Misra’s intention was obviously to say that she would have to spend on her daughters’ future marriage. She has three daughters (no son), only one of whom has been married. Justice Misra never said, nor intended to say, that her daughters were liabilities. The news was false and defamatory, with the obvious intention of creating a sensation.

Paid news: A second defect concerns the issue of paid news that has become prominent of late. In the 2009 elections, it was a scandal. How this vicious practice could be stopped needs to be discussed. Incidentally, in compliance with an order of the Chief Information Commissioner dated September 19, 2011, we have placed the 71-page report of the Committee consisting of Paranjoy Guha Thakurta and Sreenivas Reddy on our website, http://www.presscouncil.nic.in with the disclaimer that the Press Council had rejected this report at its meeting held on April 26, 2010.

Non-issues as real issues: A third defect is that the media often portray non-issues as real issues, while the real issues are sidelined. The real issues in India are economic, that is, the terrible economic conditions in which 80 per cent of our people are living, the poverty, unemployment, lack of housing and medical care and so on. Instead of addressing these real issues, the media often try to divert the attention of people to non-issues.

1. Such as that the wife of a film actor has become pregnant, whether she will give birth to a single child or to twins, and so on. Are these the real issues facing the nation?
2. At a Lakme India Fashion Week event, there were 512 accredited journalists covering the event in which models were displaying cotton garments, while the men and women who grew that cotton were killing themselves at a distance of an hour’s flight from Nagpur, in the Vidharbha region. Nobody told that story, except one or two journalists, locally.
3. No doubt, sometimes the media mention farmers’ suicides, the rise in the price of essential commodities, and so on, but such coverage is at most 5 per cent to 10 per cent of the total. The bulk of the coverage goes to showing the life of film stars, pop music, fashion parades, cricket and astrology.

Tendency to brand: Here is a fourth defect. Bomb blasts have taken place near the Delhi High Court, in Mumbai, Bangalore and so on. Within a few hours of such a bomb blast, many TV channels started showing news items that said that the Indian Mujahideen or the Jaish-e-Mohammed or the Harkatul-Jihad-e-Islam had sent e-mails or text messages claiming responsibility. The names of such alleged organisations will always be Muslim ones. Now, an e-mail can be sent by any mischievous person, but by showing this on TV channels and the next day in the newspapers, the tendency is to brand all Muslims as terrorists and bomb-throwers.

How “social media” is manipulated by politicians, business men and ideologists: The following attitude is also not discussed for solution.

1. Ironically, that the fake news are manufactured by the media houses is accepted by the panelists and responsible activists.

2. As usual, they only explained nicely the sins, but, have not provided any solutions to remove it.

3. 50 to 100 and more persons are paid to sit and manipulate “social media” with fake IDs etc., working under the banner of “IT cell”!

4. No opposite views are encouraged, accepted and hen such views are suppressed or attacked strategically or hacked as last resort.

5. “I say, you accept” authoritarian attitude is noted. Those who opposed are blocked, hacked and silenced.

6. The nexus of the politicians, businessmen, cine-field and ideologists is well established and thus, they control the social media.

7. Even the schools, colleges and universities are manipulated for their business and profits.

8. Ideologists turned agents demand ransom for their support and hence they go on attack others with one or the other issue.

9. The media does not discuss important issues of common men, but, always mislead with manufactured data and information.

10. After cinema, cricket, now, the “social media” has come and people are compelled to join, waste time and get spoiled.

What is the use of these conclaves for common men?: Ironically, the crimes committed because of the influence of social media, the girls and women raped through “facebook” courtship and related issues are not discussed. Again, to assess the conclave and the result, question arises, what it has achieved or going to achieve. The educated elite of these categories with safe job, position and status, they would be surviving, whether Modi is in power or not, but, there have been real workers and opportunistic “new comers”, they would be disturbed, if change occurs. While the former suffer heavily, the later would disappear finding way for their business. For ordinary people, all these verbose, ideologies, data and information and nothing is useful. They do not use social media and it cannot reduce prices, but, encourage intellectual stupidity and arrogance thriving on likes and following. The prices of essential commodities are not going to get reduced, when they go on discuss GDP and all. The number of phone users may increase with the profits of the companies. As long as phone is linked with Adhar, ration card and other things, it looks nice, but, if they do not get rice, sugar, oil and other things, they have to die. At that time all these experts cannot do anything.

© Vedaprakash

21-11-2017.

[1] The Hindu, Media and issues of responsibility, October 21, 2011 23:21; Updated. September 27, 2016, 02:09 IST.

[2] http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/Media-and-issues-of-responsibility/article13059658.ece

 

The “Social Media Conclave” of Tamil Nadu Young Thinkers Forum held on Nomber 18th, 2017 in Chennai (1)!

The “Social Media Conclave” of Tamil Nadu Young Thinkers Forum held on Nomber 18^th, 2017 in Chennai (1)!

Entrance of the Rasika Ranjini Sabha, where the conclave was held.

The board about the conclave.

Registration of the participants.

Joint venture of the conclave on “Social media”: As some friends of Facebook informed about a meeting to be held at Mylapore and invited to come, our group had decided to attend and accordingly, we proceeded to Mylapore[1]. Indeed, the Rasika Ranjini Sabha has been constructed / reconstructed with modern look! At the entrance, two persons were sitting and asked us, whether we wanted to register. After filling up a paper with our names, phone nos, e-mail etc, we were given two plastic folders containing an issue of “Swarajya”, scrbbling pad and a pen, no details about the program or the organizers. Tamil Nadu Young Thinkers Forum (TNYTF) organized its 1^st Social Media Conclave on 18 November 2017 at the Hall of Rasika Raanjini Sabha, 30/1, Sundareswarar Street, Mylapore in Chennai. The Tamil Nadu Young Thinkers Forum (TNYTF) organized it in association with the ARR Charitable Trust[2] with an aim to elevate the quality of public discourse in Tamil Nadu as well as the country and appraise social media trends in the state, citizen engagement in governance using social media, role of social media in enhancing quality of public discourse and the future of social media, followed by an open house. Invited Journalists, authors, bloggers and columnists were among the speakers lined up at the conclave. There was an announcement about it in “Swarajya Magazine” website[3]. When I just looked around after sitting, I could find only persons of elite group!

Inauguration of the conclave: Ma Foi K Pandiarajan, (Minister for Tamil, Art & Culture, Archaeology and Museums, Government of Tamil Nadu) Said[4], “The Tamilnadu government will soon be introducing 1,000 new Tamil words every month to strengthen the language’s vocabulary. This will be implemented with the help of language experts in the State.” He was the chief guest at the first social media conclave of the Tamilnadu Young Thinkers’ Forum, conducted here today in association with ARR Charitable Trust. “The state of Tamil language in the international arena is not good. For example, even Google translate is not able to get the grammar correct when it comes to our mother tongue while it does its job fluently in other languages. The main reason for this, I believe, is the lack of constructive propagation. The language continues to be hard to imbibe for new learners…………As of now, Tamil stands in the 16th place worldwide while Hindustani stands in 10th position. So, to take the language forward, we have to simplify and propagate it through social media. We should make Tamil more inclusive to all.” Thus, he highlighted the pros and cons of the increasing role of social media in our lives, first tracing the evolution of print media to television to social media. He spoke of the crucial role of social media in the Chennai floods, Jallikattu protests, and Cyclone Vardah. He also noted that Tamil had slipped in its position in language usage on Internet platforms from No.2 to No.10 and urged the audience to restore its pre-eminent position.

In Afghanistan, there is no current in most of the places and hence there is no internet facilities: The panelists kept the audience of more than 250 active netizens keenly engaged with various topical issues of contemporary interest and current trends, particularly keeping the Tamil social media platforms in mind[5]. The figure is exaggerated, as only 100 would have come. Multi-faceted inputs were offered by all the speakers, including the distinguished guest of honor, Allah Mohammad Kakar, who is a member of Afghanistan Youth Parliament from Kabul. He said, “Tamil language and culture is indeed exceptional. We at Afghanistan telecast Tamil movies to create awareness about family bonding and to create cultural integrity. In Afghanistan, Tamil food is still longed for. As a country, we have been totally destroyed by wars. After every war, we build our country from scratch.” Mohammed also spoke about Afghanistan’s Internet reach and its trends on social media[6]. He gave data obtained from the capital, Kabul, as that is the safest place in Afganistan, as he claimed and tried to show that few women were also active in the Social media. In most of the other places, there is no internet facility is available, as there is no power!

The first session: Panelists on Trends in Social Media in Tamil Nadu were :

1. Ashokha Varshini – Journalist and Anchor, Thanthi TV.
2. Shyam Sekhar – Entrepreneur and investment thinker
3. Prasanna Viswanathan – CEO, Swarajya.
4. Ashwin Kumar – UnReal Columnist

Trending news, fake news etc- (11.01 to 11.12 am): Asoka Varshini started with “Trending news” as appearing in her phone, and she claimed that it was not matching with Tamilnadu. She pointed out that the trends are manufactured, sponsored, forced on youngsters using the expression, “You guys”. The fake news has to be tackled with the technology. The private companies work for their profits and therefore, they do not have concern for social welfare. Hence, the staff of these companies manipulaate accounts etc. Donald Trump’s twitter account was stopped by his staff for 11 minutes[7]. The Guardian reported[8], “A Twitter employee deactivated Donald Trump’s personal account on their last day of work, the company said on Thursday, likely meaning the action was deliberate. The move by the employee – who has not been named – meant that the president’s @realdonaldtrump account was down for 11 minutes.”

Mass movements are instigated for subversion (11.12 to 11.27 am): Prasanna Viswanathan claimed that Thamilnadu has been unique in the Social media, pointing out the following features:

1. Leftist orientation is gaining in Tamilnadu, that is stunning and proving the bankruptcy of intelligentsia. The anti-Industry attitude is also alarming. The eco-fascism is exhibited in opposing neutrino project, hydrocarbon, etc.
2. They tried to make Tamilnadu as “agitational ground” after the success of “jallikattu” movement. Thus, they want every issue to be turned out to be such movement.
3. Unfortunately, conspiracy theory like “Illumaniti” working in Tamilnadu is sickening.
4. By every issue, political subversion is tried to be brought.
5. The misogynist attitude found in attacking Chinmayoi etc., proves the dangerous trend of ideology, targeting attacking one particular community.
6. The Hinduphobia is also noted, under the guise of attacking one ideology, social group etc.

Unfortunately, the mainstream media has also aiding and abetting these trends.

The Social media could be made useful (11.28 to 1.39 pm): Shyam Sekar delved upon the following: The rise of “Social media” is based on the bankruptcy of ideology. It starts with funds of the capitalists, that is neither black nor white, but “grey”. TN politics has been OBC politics, but, it lacks political will. Had TN plugged the holes of pilferage, leakages etc., in Electricity, it would have excelled Gujarat. The TN Social media spread a lot of lies about GST, demonetization and other issues. It was Chidambaram who introduced “Corporate tax” to be paid minimum 20%, yet, the social media propaganda claims that the corporate pay no tax. The social media could be made useful by the following methods, instead of blaming each other:

1. Friendship (learn from each other)
2. Following (mutual issues)
3. Fellowship (discussing confidential issues).

Like any other party, BJP is also OBC party and the politic trend would be same.

Then, the “emperor of satire” – Aswin Kumar spoke……………..that was not so impressive, as generalized one.

Thus, the  first panel on current trends in social media in Tamil Nadu drew attention to the sharp polarisation of Tamil Nadu social media users, the increasing use of social media by political parties and affiliates, and the agitation politics – a recent trend in Tamil Nadu that gets amplified by social media. The ubiquitous presence of memes in Tamil and the “going-viral” of such memes were talked about in this session.

© Vedaprakash

21-11-2017.

[1] On 17-11-2017, when I contacted, the Sabha, I was informed that there was no such meeting. Then, on 18-11-2017, again, contacted, somebody confirmed that the meeting was there. One of the two numbers given was wromg – 98840 15909 / 99401 88325.

[2] A R R Charitable Trust based in Chennai, 99-A, Royapettah High Road, Royapettah, in the district Chennai and the region Tamil Nadu it’s in the Southern of India.

[3] https://swarajyamag.com/announcements/chennai-conclave-to-explore-public-discourse-standards-on-social-media

[4] NewsToady, 1000 new Tamil words to be introduced every month, NT Bureau, November 18, 2017.

[5]https://www.facebook.com/tnyoungthinkersforum/photos/pcb.332180013929020/332175737262781/?type=3&theater

[6] https://www.newstodaynet.com/index.php/2017/11/18/1000-new-tamil-words-to-be-introduced-every-month/

[7] The Guardian, Trump twitter account shut down by employee on last day of work, Friday 3, November 2017 02.26 GMT.

[8] https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/02/trump-twitter-account-offline