A day after headlining music maestro Ilaiyaraaja’s achievement of getting a Padma Vibhushan as “Dalit outreach with Ilaiyaraja’s Padma” and facing all-round flak for it, The New Indian Express has issued an apology.
In its January 27 edition, the paper stated, “We apologise for a headline in our edition, dated January 26, regarding music maestro, Mr Ilaiyaraaja, being awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour in the country. We wish to clarify that we did not mean to diminish his stature by any means.”
“Mr Ilaiyaraaja is universally acclaimed for his singular achievements in the field of music and the recognition given to him is entirely on this account and no other factor. We deeply regret the wrong message the headline has conveyed.”
Soon after the paper had put out the headline in its January 26 edition, it was met with angry responses from readers who expressed outrage.
On Friday, Ilaiyaraaja was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second highest civilian honour.
#Shame @NewIndianXpress @gsvasu_TNIE ... how do you stoop so low? Is that what comes to your head when you hear the name #Ilaiyaraaja ? Not the magic melodies? #Ilayaraja_Insulted pic.twitter.com/pXzVs4HlnK
— Almighty Spectre (@parankusan) January 26, 2018
Shame on you @IndianExpress #Ilaiyaraaja Sir is God for us musicians, his music is divine and beyond you. We respect him and know who he is, it's a SHAME that you don't. https://t.co/laFWp5hxfY
— Queen Hazarika (@queenhazarika) January 26, 2018
A music maestro #Ilaiyaraaja got the award only for his brilliant contribution in the field of music but that cant stop media vultures like @IndianExpress from spewing venom about caste! Shameless thugs! pic.twitter.com/U9rOdxovUs
— AB (@arindambhattac9) January 26, 2018
After 25+ years of following #Ilaiyaraaja, now I know his caste. Thank you liberal media for successfully dividing the nation. https://t.co/uFEAaFeuzK
— Likith Lanka (@likithl) January 26, 2018
I think @NewIndianXpress wanted to say a Dalit has overreached beyond his traditional ambit, and blabbered Overreach. Shameful, mischievous and ignorant every which way ;-(( #PadmaVibhushan #ilaiyaraaja
— கலக்கல் கபாலி (@losangelesram) January 26, 2018
@ShekharGupta This is what you deserved. Having big talk about #KarniSena but you guys are no less than them. Shame on you for writing something like this. #PadmaBhushan #Ilayaraja #Ilaiyaraaja https://t.co/Nse0g1asE5
— Vivek Singh (@iVpsingh) January 26, 2018
So @IndianExpress thinks that maestro #illayaraja being honoured for his outstanding contribution to music is not that important.
— Rishi Umrania (@ProAMTraider) January 26, 2018
Their headline seems to be funded by separatists.
@IndianExpress once again u have proved to be a #disgrace to the journalist community, #IsaiNyani #Illayaraja is a gem in the field of music he no needs any religious or caste tag to be honored.#cheap https://t.co/zR75fD5Bwi
— Saravana (@sha3feb) January 26, 2018
Till now nobody saw & most of them don't even know #Illayaraja as a dalit. He is a great personality in the music world. For God sake, don't bring your stupid views by insulting him. @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/1d6AisvFWv
— ஸ்ரீகுமார் (@KannanSrikumar) January 26, 2018
#Illayaraja is a great Indian. Period.
— Nitesh Jain (@niteshplatinum) January 26, 2018
But then the #newstraders
Like @IndianExpress have to keep their political masters happy and earn their #roti. pic.twitter.com/Eqtjg2ybNa
@IndianExpress really shame on u for making cast issue with illayaraja. Is this good journalism ?even making cast on national awards. Media like u are real cancer for this nation. #indian express. #illayaraja. Hear illayaraja music before u put such an article.
— manikandan kumar (@1992manikandan) January 26, 2018
Time for @NewIndianXpress to introspect as to how low they can afford to plunge in the service of their mastetrs!#Illayaraja is a national legend and he has been honored for for his iconic status! https://t.co/OHEYN8WZqJ
— Shaelesh (@Shaelesh) January 26, 2018