People I know

Monday, April 25, 2005

Thasai inai thee chudinum


Students learning thirumarai
Raja Rajan

One day in the court of Raja Raja Chozhan, who is the greatest tamil king, lived during tenth century AD, some “paanars” (court vocalists) were singing some saivite songs. Hearing the song the king’s heart melted and tears ran down his cheeks out of ecstasy. The song, he was listening to was from “Thevaram”, collection of songs by appar, sundarar, sambandar. Except for the few songs known then, nobody had any idea about other songs and also the state of original scriptures.

NambiYandar Nambi
There was a saint by name Nambiyandar nambi, blessed by lord vinayaka. Raja Rajan approached him to help him in finding the original texts of thevaram. By divine instruction, they came to know the original “chuvadis” (writings on palm leaf), were in one of the chambers of Chidambaram temple. However, the temple priests did not allow them inside the chamber as they said only the original poets could be allowed as per the orders of the poets themselves.

Thevaram Restored
Rajarajan, known for his presence of mind, arranged for the procession of “vigrahams” (idols) of the poets and went to the priests. Moved by his devotion they opened the chamber for them. Alas, most of the palm leaves were eaten by ant hills. However few hundreds of songs were left unaffected. King and the others were grieved by the loss. However they heard a “ashariri” (voice of god), saying whatever that was needed for kaliyuga had been recovered and rest would not be obtained anytime.

Odhuvars
Nambiyandar Nambi, as ordered by the king, compiled the works as into 11 thirumarais, which also included works of Manicka vasagar and also works of Nambi himself. Rajarajan, in his desire to preserve the “thirumarai”, trained some 3000 people in singing them and supported them. The clan that lives by singing thirumarai, is called Odhuvars. They were (are, in some cases) supported by temple administration. In that way “saivam” and “Tamil” prospered in the divine land of Tamilnadu. There are odhuvars of vaishnavites too and they sing “Nalayira divya prabandham”.

Current state
As temple administration fell in the hands of politicians, there is not much support for odhuvars. People have lost interest in tamil music and they are enslaved by filthy cinema music, tele serials etc. Recent study shows there are only few hundreds of odhuvars alive. My friend who belonged to lineage of sambandhar, who had the rights to sing in meenakshi amman temple, never learnt this art. He has his flower shop business in the temple. I will be glad if I still get to hear the three time declaration of “Sindhai magizha siva Puranam thannai, mundhai vinai muzhudhum ooya uraipan yaan” (I will sing siva Puranam, to destroy my sins and to obtain ecstasy) in the majestic voice of some odhuvar, when I visit the temple next time.

Proud
I am proud of those hundreds who fight poverty and try to sing in praise of god. All they want to do is sing “Nama sivaya vaazhga” or “pallandu” in the temples, despite we listen to them or not. However, if we make an effort to listen to them, their life will blossom again. As far as I know they committed no sin but not studying IT and remained contented in singing His Glory.

Note1: Raja Raja Chozhan, also called as “thirumari kanda chozhan’s” birthday is celebrated till date.
Note 2: In the temple rituals, Odhuvars earn more respect than the king himself, as per aagamam.
Note 3: The species called “Thookanam kuruvi” is almost extinct.
Note 4: Thasai inai thee chudinum siva sakthiyai paadidum varam ketten”
~Bharathiyar.
When my flesh is burnt in fire, (when my pyre is lit) let me sing in praise of “Siva – Sakthi”, is the boon I ask. ~ Bharathiyar.

22 Comments:

  • Super PB!

    Nalla Info and a good narration..Do write more on these stuff...

    ~Vasu

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:15 PM  

  • Ovvoru summerum ovvoru tamil work padicha urupadiya oru kaariyam senja madhiri irukum.

    Kalaila kovilla Pallandu kekkaradhu madhiri oru effect vera engayum kedaikaradhu kashtam.

    Good one...
    -vv

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:36 PM  

  • pb kalakittenga...
    amazing article!!!
    ippo thirumurai padhaurai / thelivurai yoda sila kadaikalla thaan kedaikuthu right!!! onlinela engayaadhu padhaurayodu (not the overall meaning) kedaikumaa?

    readers!! any innovative and interesting way to promote reading tamil???First among us and then among others at lex.

    By Blogger Maayaa, at 6:48 PM  

  • PB,

    That was a touchy commentary on the sorry state of affairs of these 'Othuvaars'. I guess, in those days these clan lived only by reciting songs to the Almighty as they were supported by benevolent kings. But in this age, it would be difficult if not impossible to live so without other earning means.

    @Priya,
    Tamil Library project pathi solreengalaa neengO ?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:19 PM  

  • PB, in Srirangam, I've heard Nalaaiyira Divya Prabandham being recited and I have had goosebumps listening to it!! It is sad that these days all these things are being ignored...

    By Blogger The Doodler, at 6:46 AM  

  • @vijay
    It is not just self learning..odhuvars are trained in highly disciplined ways it seems...

    @priya
    Most of them are in simple tamil which any one can understand..also plenty of books are available on shops.

    By Blogger P B, at 6:58 AM  

  • @satheesh,
    With a great vision, kings have arranged eternal financial resources..now they are being swindled..but the concept of hinduism is do your duty without thinking of results, is hard to follow. At times, it is as painful as "thasaiinai thee chuduthal". Brahmins also attracted by phsical comforts, gave up "sadh vidya" and started learning "english education"

    By Blogger P B, at 7:02 AM  

  • @subha
    Prabhandham is another such works, that transforms us and elevates us to the higher levels. In music india online kulasekaran's works are recited. Seviku unavu.

    By Blogger P B, at 7:03 AM  

  • It is sad to see our culture getting gradually eroded with time...future generations will be even worse unless something is done.

    Very good to know all these facts PB.

    -KP.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:11 AM  

  • hey muthukumar,
    this article reminds me of my 'Othuvaar', and my nice old days, this Othuvvar had a house in rock-fort temple.(there are houses in the middle road)..(i didnt c him after my 10th class)..hmmmmm...those were nice days. My another "pattu thattha" refused to give me my notebook of Deveram, thirupuhal saying my notebook has huge collection and he passed away 2 months ago.i am trying to search my favorite
    devaram, thirupuhal songs now..if you know some link let me know...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:29 AM  

  • viji,
    ivlo nala un pattu class pathi sonnadhe illaiye..inime unnai naan eppo paathu un patta kekka poren..
    anways, as ordered will send u links soon..

    By Blogger P B, at 10:52 AM  

  • PB,
    Antha kuzhainthangalukku neeya solli thanthindruka ?

    Just to make sure ba ;)

    ~Vasu

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:57 PM  

  • Nice one da, PB although I know not much about what you are talking about.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:21 PM  

  • @satheesh,
    It is thiruvasagam in symphony. Guess it is released. Waiting for online purchase.
    @KP
    If you see my note at the bottom, you will know it is not just culture is eroded. Ecology itself is spoiled in this mad rush for money. Man has to be Like vallalar's word "vaadiya payirai kanda podhellam vadinen", "When I see a plant decay, I too decay". Even when species, clans etc that were adding color to our lives go extinct, we are least affected. This indifference is the core of this article..Thought somebody will relate my notes at the bottom to the article and will ask some question. Guess I am not very effective in conveying what I think.

    By Blogger P B, at 2:39 PM  

  • beautifullly rendered one PB.
    i am not at all good at tamil history and this gave a pretty good insight on devaaram.

    and links intha blog comment laye post pannu instead of sending it personally.

    By Blogger Prabhu, at 3:33 PM  

  • @prabhu
    Thanks da. I have asked her to check out with web log we have at LTCA. If I find any pdfs in future will upload there.

    By Blogger P B, at 3:47 PM  

  • Good write up and a nice picture.

    My suggestion is that, you should talk to the new LTCA committee about increasing awareness on these issues. I am sure you have some ideas on what needs to be done, take it up to them (make sure it's organized well, and make sure it's do-able)
    and try to get it done.

    By Blogger dinesh, at 3:52 PM  

  • neenga nenaichatha saaathechitel pol iruke 19 comments enniyum serthu :))

    By Blogger Kay, at 9:04 PM  

  • @dinesh
    I think web logs we created is a step towards spreading the awareness. However, there shud be drastic social change towards the outlook of life, where we respect each and every living beings and their roles in this grand universe.
    @Kay
    Edho ungala mathiri periyava asirvatham.

    By Blogger P B, at 9:40 PM  

  • PB, that is possible only if we see God
    in everyone...giving up jealousy, ego,
    etc. But I think for a mere mortal like me it is very difficult to be so (though again not impossible).

    -KP.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:12 AM  

  • An insight into something that I know very little about. Informative and written with feeling.

    By Blogger RS, at 10:33 PM  

  • Othuvars may be are rare but not extinct. Many priests are well versed in thEvaram singing. I know a priest in our village who sings thEvaaram in a grand way. But people have to request him. Otherwise he will perform in Sanksrit.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:53 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home