Blue Wiggle apologises after children’s group accused of racism over ‘The Pappadum Song’

Kate EmeryThe West Australian
CommentsComments
Camera IconThe Wiggles performing the Pappadum Song. Credit: Unknown/Twitter

Blue Wiggle Anthony Field has apologised for a “culturally insensitive” song after the wildly popular children’s group were called out for racism.

The Wiggles came under fire after a video clip of the song Pappadum, which featured The Wiggles dressed in traditional Indian clothing and dancing alongside an Indian woman holding pappadums, resurfaced online.

Twitter user Ashmi shared the video with the comment: “To be clear, this is not the representation I wanted”.

Field was quick to apologise for the 2014 song and video, saying it had been intended as a celebration. The lyrics of the song amount to the word “pappadum” or “pappa” being repeated for more than a minute and ends with the group biting into their pappadums.

“I wrote the song, and directed the clip in 2014 (which was meant as a celebration),” he wrote on Twitter.

Read more...

“It was not my intention to be culturally insensitive to the Indian community, or to add value to ethnic stereotyping. Apologies.”

When another Twitter user suggested Field should run future songs past members of the community it was referencing, Field responded: “For sure!”

Others weighed into the debate, with some congratulating Field on his apology, while others said he had nothing to apologise for.

Camera IconEmma dances in Indian dress holding a pappadum. Credit: Unknown/Twitter

“I’m sorry you can’t cancel The Wiggles over a toddler song,” wrote one user.

Another wrote: “Absolutely terrible and embarrassing content. Can’t think why anyone would make this let alone feature in it.”

British actor Rahul Kohli, who is of Indian descent and currently stars in Netflix show The Haunting of Bly Manor, also weighed in, retweeting the video with the comment: “Nearly every script I’ve been sent since leaving drama school”.

Ethnic Communities Council of Western Australia Suresh Rajan said he was pleased to see Field’s apology and had no doubt the group would use it as a learning experience.

“It was a sign of the times and I think we were all less informed,” he said. “I don’t doubt his (Field’s) sincerity.

“I think this can be put down to a demonstration of the time that we came from and I think we are far more sensitive to these things now.”

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails