Rapper’s Kaali imagery sparks outrage

India Today

Canadian rapper and model Genesis Yasmine Mohanraj, popularly known as Tommy Genesis, has drawn criticism for her new music video for the track True Blue.

Transcript

00:00Indian origin Canadian rapper Tommy Genesis is making waves, though not the kind you would find

00:04on Spotify playlists. Her latest music video, True Blue, has landed her in a heated controversy.

00:08In the video, Genesis appears in blue body paint, wearing a bindi and gold jewelry. Imagery has

00:13drawn comparisons to the Hindu goddess Kali. The video includes gestures like folding her hands

00:17in Namaste and licking her crucifix. Critics haven't held back, calling the visuals blasphemous,

00:22culturally insensitive, and even demanding the video be taken down. The message,

00:26some boundaries aren't meant to be crossed. Many have demanded that the artist remove the content,

00:30citing the need to respect religious sentiments. This isn't the first time sacred imagery has caused

00:35a stir. Back in 2022, filmmaker Lina Manimakalai found herself at the center of a firestorm over

00:40a Kali documentary poster. It featured the goddess holding a cigarette and a pride flag. The poster

00:45was removed following FIRs in Uttar Pradesh, protests in Canada, and pressure from the Indian

00:50High Commission. Tommy Genesis' music video and the Kali poster are just the latest examples of art

00:54walking a tight rope over faith. It's a clash of expression versus reverence, freedom versus

00:59respect. What do you think? Can art and faith coexist without conflict, or are some boundaries

01:04meant to remain sacred?

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