The clip on the local actress’ social media platforms received more than 274,000 views and 100,000 comments, with many of them lashing out at her for “destroying the Indian culture with her style of dressing”.
However, in a strongly worded response, Gayathri Moorthi slammed her online critics for being hypocrites, accusing them of not practising what they preached, and asked them to send their kids to Tamil schools before talking about culture.
Netizens who commented on the clip had said Gayathri’s dressing in the clip wishing Indians on the auspicious day last Sunday was spoiled by her “exposed” midriff and navel and that it went against the religious and cultural spirit of the occasion.
“Stop destroying Malaysian Indian culture. What you are portraying is Bollywood culture. Showing your navel and hips is a bad influence on our future generations,” said one netizen.
Another said her 16-year-old daughter was watching, and the clip would have a bad influence on her.
Gayathri lambasted her critics by saying in her clip that Indian culture is not judged by just what one wears or how it is worn, adding that there is more to this. “It’s the attitude that decides your culture, not what you wear.”
“What culture are you all talking about? Is drinking, robbing and stealing our culture? Why are you looking at my navel and other parts when the wish for the occasion was more important?
“Culture is showing love and compassion to all, and respecting your elders,” she said.
She added that the very people commenting and criticising her probably don’t send their children to Tamil schools or teach them the language, which is a cultural heritage.
“Send your kids to Tamil schools and make them speak the language first. Teach them to become responsible children first. That is culture,” she said.
She also pointed out that Indian ladies have always exposed their midriff when they wear sarees, adding that there was nothing wrong with it as that is the fashion.
When contacted, Gayathri said no one should try and teach others their version of culture when they themselves do not practise what they preach.
“While many criticised me over this clip, there were a fair number of others who defended me saying the way I wore my saree is much more decent than what others wear for certain occasions,” she said.