Ever since then, women have been opening up about workplace harassment with several names of prominent figures being added to the list. Journalist Sandhya Menon, who has been sharing stories of harassment endured by several women, shared a screenshot of an anonymous journalist accusing National Awards winning Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu of sexual misconduct.
Speaking on the matter, Vairamuthu took to Twitter stating that he’s being humiliated. Stating that it’s a fad to defame celebrities, he said: “I consider this as one among the many attempts to humiliate me. I only support the truth and it will come out in time.”
அறியப்பட்டவர்கள் மீது அவதூறு பரப்பும் அநாகரிகம் நாடெங்கும் இப்போது நாகரிகமாகி வருகிறது. அண்மைக்காலமாக நான் தொடர்ச்சியாக அவமானப்படுத்தப்பட்டு வருகிறேன்; அவற்றுள் இதுவும் ஒன்று. உண்மைக்குப் புறம்பான எதையும் நான் பொருட்படுத்துவதில்லை; உண்மையைக் காலம் சொல்லும்.
— வைரமுத்து (@vairamuthu) October 10, 2018
Responding to this, singer Chinmayi, who has been sharing her own experiences and corroborating other women’s experiences, called him a ‘liar’.
LIAR! https://t.co/osvaGLb4mQ
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) October 10, 2018
She further wrote: “To EVERYONE who will debate about me on channels – whether you slut shame me or call me names Vairamuthu is a sexual predator. I will take this to my grave. And to Tamil channels who wouldn’t even carry a ticker OR report, wanting a byte *after* Delhi news channels. No.”
Actor Rahul Ravindran, who is also her husband, took on Vairamuthu’s lack of apology in the tweet he shared.
Why am I not surprised he doesn’t talk about the specific allegations from any of the girls. Doesn’t deny anything. What Chinmayi faced is much less compared to the other accounts. And obviously no apology either. Just playing the ‘victim of slander’ card. Don’t know if the lack
— Rahul Ravindran (@23_rahulr) October 10, 2018
…of denial shows he has a trace of conscience and makes him better than others accused… or if it makes it worse. Whatever it is…. I don’t want to be the judge or jury. Am just happy no other girl will suffer again at his hands. Time’s up.
— Rahul Ravindran (@23_rahulr) October 10, 2018
In a series of tweets on Tuesday, Chinmayi wrote about the time over 10 years ago, when was asked to “co-operate” and meet Vairamuthu in his hotel room.
Year 2005/2006 maybe.
Veezhamattom. An album for Srilankan Tamizhs that I had sung in, as had Manikka Vinayagam sir.
I dont remember if it was a book or an album release or both now; the performances and launch happened in Switzerland in (Bern / Zurich maybe)— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) October 9, 2018
We sang. We went to Switzerland. We performed.
Everyone left. Only my mother and I were asked to stay back.
The organizer(I dont remember his name) asked me to visit Vairamuthu sir in a hotel in Lucerne.
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) October 9, 2018
I asked why. He told me to cooperate. I refused. We demanded to be sent back to India. He said ‘You wont have a career!’
My mother and I both put our foot down, career vendam mannum vendam. Demanded an earlier flight to India and came back.
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) October 9, 2018
3, maybe 4 years ago, he had a book release function & asked me to sing Tamizh Thaai vaazhthu.
I said I would be unable to.
He in turn responded ‘I ll tell (a politician) you spoke ill of him on stage, yelled at me and kept the phone down
I bawled. My parents in law consoled me— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) October 9, 2018
Then had the courage to call his manager back & told him ‘I ll go and tell the same politician you re lying because I have NEVER given a political speech and HE will trust ME.
This for refusing to sing.And you ask why victims dont name him?!
To hell with those of you who do.
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) October 9, 2018
