Ilaiyaraaja's Foreword for a Book On Ambedkar & Modi Draws Flak

The esteemed music composer chooses to remain unflinched about his opinion on PM Narendra Modi and his regime despite criticism

A book titled ‘Ambedkar & Modi: Reformers ideas, Performers Implementation’ – published by Bluekraft Digital Foundation – was launched on April 14, the birth anniversary of Ambedkar. Music maestro Ilaiyaraaja wrote the foreword to the book in which he said, “Ambedkar will certainly be proud of the Modi regime. Ambedkar and Modi have a lot in common. Both of them have experienced poverty and oppression. This book highlights one thing, and I recommend it to the younger generation”.

Ilaiyaraaja’s endorsement of the Prime Minister led to criticism from various people, especially on social media. However, a statement issued by Ilaiyaraaja’s brother made it clear that the ace composer was in no mood to retract his words.

“I'll never take back a tune I composed for a movie just because somebody didn't like it and similarly I'll never take back my comments about PM Modi. Everybody has the right to have their own opinion and these are mine,” were reportedly the words used by the veteran composer, as told to his brother Gangai Amaran.

Earlier, the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar has also given the foreword for another book on the Prime Minister's public life, 'Modi@20: Dreams meet Delivery', which was released by the same publisher Bluekraft Digital Foundation, which is headed by CEO Akhilesh Mishra and Director Hitesh Jain.