Udupi: Hamsalekha apologizes for controversial comments about Pejawar Swamiji


Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Nov 15: Well-known Sandalwood music composer and script writer, 'Naada Brahma' Hamsalekha, was in the eye of a storm after making some off the cuff remarks he passed when referring to Pejawar Swamiji Sri Vishwesha Theertha, when participating in a public programme. The comment, he passed had given rise to heated debate between his supporters and detractors in the social media.

As there was widespread anguish at his remarks in the social media, Hamsalekha has apologized for the same.

Hamsalekha had participated in an awards function at Mysuru in the capacity of chief guest. He had spoken there about the Dalits and the dreaded practice of untouchability. He had also referred to Pejawar Swamij.


Hamsalekha (left) and Sri Vishwesha Theertha

The video of this incident had become viral in the social media. Many had demanded for an apology from Hamsalekha. Now he has apologized for his remarks through a video clip.

During the said programme at Mysuru, Hamsalekha had referred to the initiative undertaken by the Pejawar Swamiji to visit the Dalit colonies and also to stay in such colonies. "The best he can do is to go there and sit. Can he eat chicken if offered, or can he eat mutton fry or liver fry? I don't think that visiting the houses of Dalits is a big achievement," he had stated. He also felt that people of forward communities should take Dalits to their homes and feed them. They should also offer to wash the utensils used by the Dalits, he had commented.

After these statements turned viral, many began to comment in favour of and against Hamsalekha. Some supported him while many asked him to apologize and felt that he was not right in making wry remarks about Biligiri Rangayya and Pejawar Swamiji. There were also warnings that if he did not apologise, there may be adverse repercussions.

As soon as the video went viral, Hamsalekha came out with an apology, the video of which he posted in the Facebook. "I know I was wrong in making such comments in an awards ceremony. I have high respect for the efforts being made by elders and personalities to banish untouchability and I have high regard and respect for these efforts. Even my wife did not like some of my utterances and I sought apologies from her. I am a musician and do not want to hurt anyone. Just like my music which gives comfort to others, my words and life also should make them happy. Please excuse me if my words have hurt you," he said in the video.

 

 

 

  

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  • MADHUSUDANA B R, Tiptur

    Tue, Nov 16 2021

    ಆಚಾರವಿಲ್ಲದ ನಾಲಿಗೆ. ಬಯಲಾದ ಗೋಸುಂಬೆಯ ಬಣ್ಣ. ವಿಷ ಕಕ್ಕಿದ zee sa re ga ma pa ಮಹಾಗುರು (?) ನಾದ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮ (?) ರ ಶಿಷ್ಯರೇ ಜಾಗರೂಕರಾಗಿರಿ.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Pradeep, Bengaluru

    Tue, Nov 16 2021

    ನಾಲಿಗೆ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ ಸಂಸ್ಕಾರದ ಪ್ರತೀಕ. ನಾಲಿಗೆಗೆ ಎಲುಬಿಲ್ಲ ಅಂತ ಭಕ್ಷಣಾಭಕ್ಷಣ ವಿವೇಕ ವಿವೇಚನೆ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ಆಹಾರ ಶುದ್ಧಿ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ತಿಂದರೆ ಹೀಗೇ ಆಗೋದು...

    DisAgree [3] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Albert, Mangalore

    Tue, Nov 16 2021

    Pejawar Swamiji Sri Vishwesha Theertha was not an ordinary priest. He was a philosopher, loved by people of all religions!Any insult to him is insult to people of Karavali Karnataka!

    DisAgree [4] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Puttaraju, Bangalore

    Tue, Nov 16 2021

    Can a Dalit marry a Devanga girl? Do any Devangas eat beef in Dalit houses? I have never seen any Devangas even associating with Dalits, let alone eating or intermarrying with them.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • sagaraholla, Bengaluru

    Wed, Nov 17 2021

    Respected Pejawara Swamiji was for unification of Hindus. How the so called intelligent Hamsaleka did not notice it. We never asked as to Hamsaleka belongs to which cast before started liking his songs and compositions. Actually we use to feel pride of him. Now it is regrettable that he has gone short cut route to get fame hurting others. Dr Rajkumar is even today is pride of Karnataka for his up holding humanity value and is always respected . It is to be remembered that he became complete vegetarian while the movie on Sri Raghavendraswamy was made. No one has advised him to do so. People liked this movie without asking as to Dr Rajkumar belongs to which cast. And Dr Rajkumar always use to tell that he is not educated wherein in his thoughts and deeds are highly acclaimed. Hamsaleka atleast know correct yourself in life by heart and not by thoughts.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sathish Kumar, Udupi

    Tue, Nov 16 2021

    Hamsalekha is one of the finest and most gifted in literature and music talent Karnataka ever seen. When he says something there is truth in it. Why bash him up? Now days most of the the top awards are given if you praise and be a part of an ideology and give one or two to the really deserved one, so that it looks unpartisan and fair deal...

    DisAgree [18] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • SUJIR PRAVEEN, Mangalore

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    ಪೇಜಾವರ ಶ್ರೀಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಅವಹೇಳನಕಾರಿ ಹೇಳಿಕೆ ನೀಡಿ ಹಂಸಲೇಖ ಈಗ ಮಾಂಸಲೇಖಾ ಆಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ

    DisAgree [8] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • MADHUSUDANA B R, Tiptur

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    ಇನ್ನು ಮುಂದೆ sa re ga ma pa show ನಲ್ಲಿ ಈ "ಮಹಾಗುರು" ಗಳು ಉದುರಿಸುವ ನುಡಿ ಮುತ್ತುಗಳು ಭೂತದ ಬಾಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗವದ್ಗೀತೆಯಂತೆಯೇ ಅಲ್ಲವೇ?

    DisAgree [8] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • k b r, Mangala Uru

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    truth hurts... being a creative and non-political person, he does not know how to suppress thoughts and talk for the audience.... these dalith visits, dalith stay etc. etc. are nothing but photo-ops and some thing of pain balm to some sections of daliths... it is neither cure nor treatment... despite all these "broadmindedness" , caste harassment and discrimination continues from the days of kanaka dasa till the present time...

    DisAgree [25] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Pramod, Bengaluru

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    Being straight forward doesn't you talk brainless about anyone and everyone. What has he done for Dalits ?? Even yhough he might have helped, he has not right to talk senselessly. He is blaberring about a person whose stature is immeasurable. His words projected his mind today to world, millions of his own fans have been hurt... Let harmony prevail 🙏

    DisAgree [1] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sheshagiri, Bangalore

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    Had so much respects to Hamselekha for his Music. He just lost it all by his cheap comments. This is the beginning of his down fall!! Mark my words!!

    DisAgree [12] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • k b r, Mangala Uru

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    there are so many hypocrisies in society... people who understand, understand... people who do not understand, it is their lookout...

    DisAgree [10] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Gopalakrishna, Bangalore

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    Never expected such comments from a person of such calibre and a person whom I respect for his music. He has given happiness thrigh his music an songs but he wiped of every thing with his stupid and loose talk at this function. If he had apologized sincerely it is better to close the issue.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • MADHUSUDANA B R, Tiptur

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    He is being called 'Mahaguru' in a TV reality show. He gives many preaches there. Now we have to think whether people of this kind deserve those titles. ಪ್ರತಿಭೆ ಮತ್ತು ವಿದ್ವತ್ತಿನ ಜೊತೆ ಸಂಸ್ಕಾರವೂ ಇರಬೇಕು, then only one can be called ಗುರು.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajesh B Shetty, Udupi

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    I think he is planning to join congress.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • Love Each Other, Mangalore

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    Wrong: Can he eat chicken if offered, or can he eat mutton fry or liver fry? Right: people of forward communities should take Dalits to their homes and feed them.

    DisAgree [13] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rita, Germany

    Tue, Nov 16 2021

    Love ech other mangalore .now we shouldnt make it more longer or wide by adding meat or veg to it.WE haveto accept it ,he apologized That is enough.His words were chosen and fine.People make mistake not only he but all of us,but should seek apology at right time.But shouldnt make more politics.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • sanjay, Hebri

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    ok, he apologized. matter closed. its internal matter of Hindus, others can keep quite.

    DisAgree [42] Agree [41] Reply Report Abuse

  • Harold Dcunha;, Mangalore, India.

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    sanjay, Hebri; If it is internal matter, why it is air in the public domain.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Felix Pinto, Koteshwara

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    In my personal opinion, the mention of nonveg food should not have been made. Choice of food is one's own right and nobody shall interfere with it. But, rest of the points were legitimate and logical. Have we not seen our political leaders spending a night at Dalit's house. Air-conditioners, cots, foam mattresses were furnished and then taken away after the politician left. Even the food was brought from a star restaurant. It all amounts to gimmick aimed at achieving hidden motives.

    DisAgree [16] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kumar, Al Khor, Qatar

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    Felix Pinto, Koteshwara.. If Hamsalekha comment is on politicians, it is right. But that is not the case. Pejawar Swamiji (or any other for that matter) if makes effort to go to Dalit colonies to bridge the gap, what is wrong? Did Hamsalekha washed utensils in Dalit house? ... By the way, Pejawara swamiji does not eat in Brahmins house also... he has his own way of having food....

    DisAgree [3] Agree [58] Reply Report Abuse

  • Girishk, UDUPI

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    Awesome reply Kumar.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ahmed, Mangalore

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    He must have had some liquor before the function, so he must have lost control and said whatever he was not supposed to say. He said in his apology statement that his wife also did not like. I have seen today to quickly become famous, people opt to criticize Brahmins and thereby show to the public that they are rationalists and forward thinkers. Probably Hamsalekha also was frustrated that he did not get any Padma awards and this is the only way to get attention from the government...

    DisAgree [12] Agree [72] Reply Report Abuse

  • Bala, Kudla

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    Well said..He was in hurry and said on influence of something..

    DisAgree [4] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • kumara, abu dhabi

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    it has become a fashion nowadays...

    DisAgree [7] Agree [36] Reply Report Abuse

  • R Bhandarkar, Mangaluru

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    Hamsalekha is the best we have in the Kannada Film Industry, unmatchable. Far from Controversies. Surprised, that he named personalities. Was against ' show-off's', in eradicating untouchability, which is an even bigger curse!Except the naming part, his talk was good. The hurt spilling out. With apology, matter close. Hamsalekha, I repeat is the best we have and also a best human being. How I know?? Yes, I have met him.

    DisAgree [24] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Thane

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    We only hope Kangana Ranaut also Apologizes ...

    DisAgree [43] Agree [50] Reply Report Abuse

  • R Bhandarkar, Mangaluru

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    Ho.. Kanganaache Aangnaant Kalyaak Nanchthaa? Thakka anee Haaka kaallen sambhand?? Bishten Thari....

    DisAgree [10] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr KUSUMA KUMARI GUNJI MBBS DGO, Nellore Kodyadka

    Mon, Nov 15 2021

    Glad that Sri Hamsalekha realized his mistake and apologized for the same

    DisAgree [18] Agree [48] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Udupi: Hamsalekha apologizes for controversial comments about Pejawar Swamiji



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