Vetrimaaran’s comments spark debate on art, politics and identity in cinema

The film-maker has accused the Hindutva forces of continuously trying to appropriate Tamil identity

A speech by national award-winning film-maker Vetrimaaran accusing the Hindutva forces of continuously trying to appropriate Tamil identity has sparked a controversy in Tamil Nadu.

As Tamils worldwide are favourably reacting to director Maniratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan I, a film based on the life of Raja Raja Chola, considered to be the greatest of the Chola kings, there were posts on social media by certain sections portraying him as a “Hindu king”.

At a function to honour Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan, Mr. Vetrimaaran had remarked: “Art is political. Initially it was art for art’s sake. Aesthetic beauty is important but art is not complete without people. Art is a reflection of life. Cinema is a mass medium. Tamil Nadu remains a secular State, resisting the external forces with maturity, because the Dravidian movement took control of cinema from their hands.”

Stating that it was very important to keep art political, he said, “We [Tamils] have to handle it correctly. If we don’t do it properly, soon our symbols will be appropriated by them,” he said pointing to instances like (Tamil saint-poet) Tiruvalluvar draped in saffron and averments like Raja Raja Chola as Hindu king.

“It has been happening continuously. They will use cinema as a tool. We need to be politically aware,” Mr. Vetrimaaran said at the function.

His speech sparked a debate over social media with sections of supporters of Hindutva, BJP and RSS organisations targetting him and many, including the Dravidians in the Twitter space defending him.

On Wednesday, Mr. Thirumavalavan said that during the time of Raja Raja Chola, Saivam and Vainavam were different. The two openly fought against each other and heads rolled in the sludge of blood. There were continuous conversions. “In those times, where was Hindu?” he asked.