Not Your Fault: Chinmayi Tells Women Molested At AR Rahman's Concert

Singer Chinmayi Sripaada, who never fails to raise her voice in support of women, has reacted to the chaos surrounding Music Director AR Rahman’s concert in Chennai.

The singer has spoken up in support of women who were allegedly subjected to sexual harassment and molestation during the fiasco at AR Rahman’s concert on September 10.

Chinmayi Sripaada On AR Rahman Concert

Expressing her views on her X (formerly Twitter) handle, Sripaada wrote a message addressing all the women who went through sexual harassment and molestation at the concert: "To the girls whose trauma I share—a core memory, as my body keeps score—it is not your shame. It is not your fault. A trauma that doesn’t scratch away, scrub away, or wash away."

To the girls whose trauma I share - a core memory, as my body keeps score:

It is not your shame.
It is not your fault.

A trauma that doesn’t scratch away, scrub away, wash away.

You did not deserve this.
You deserved music, you deserved fun, you deserved joy, you deserved a…

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) September 12, 2023

"You did not deserve this. You deserved music, you deserved fun, you deserved joy, and you deserved a concert experience that made you cry—cry from the joy you felt from the music, from feelings that evoked nostalgia. You deserved warmth and the shared euphoria from other fans as everyone sang along, shouted along, and jumped along to songs that we love to vibe and groove to. You deserved an experience that made you recount it with love, think of it with fondness, and wish for the next one to make a beautiful new memory associated with this magical, beautiful thing called music, with a musician we adore," she added.

She further said she wished they didn’t have to go through the sexual harassment, but they did, adding that she wished them only love and healing and hoped that they had a loved one holding their hand through this tough time.

The singer lashed out at the people who were discrediting the stories of sexual harassment shared by women. "Now… You darned dingbats who are gaslighting those who recounted their sexual harassment; you darned dingbats who said to avoid crowds if you don't want to be molested; you darned dingbats who asked if the girls were tweeting for engagement, views, and attention. Thirundha maateengla da neenga (won’t you ever change)?"

AR Rahman’s concert "Marakuma Nenjam" happened on September 10 at Adityaram Palace in Chennai’s Paniyur. The chaos at the concert happened due to the organiser’s mismanagement; tickets were oversold beyond the capacity of the venue, which led to a stampede-like situation.

Many women took to their X handle to share stories of being sexually harassed, molested and groped due to the overcrowding at the venue.

The Musica composer later posted an apology on his X handle and promised refunds. To those who had purchased the tickets but were unable to attend the concert due to unfortunate circumstances. The organisers of the concert took full responsibility for the incident and issued an apology.

Suggested Reading: Women Share Agonising Stories From AR Rahman's Chennai Concert