[HPI Notes: Oduvars are singers who offer songs of praise to the temple deity during ceremonies.]
TIRUCHY, INDIA, June 20, 2011: “I am satisfied with being an oduvar in this temple and want to be the same until my death,” declares S Angayarkanni (29), a dalit, the only woman oduvar in Tamil Nadu. With her devotion to God and love for the Tamil language, Angayarkanni pursued a three year course in Tirumarai, a collection of hymns and writings of South Indian Saivite saints, in the Government Music School.
When Angayarkanni was appointed as oduvar in the Arulmigu Panchawarnaswamy Temple in Waraiyur in 2006 she received a payment of US$33.75 per month. “I receive only US$42 per month as payment now. This is very meagre compared to my male colleagues in other temples,” she said and added she had made several representations to the appropriate officials on her salary.
Since there was no recruitment for the oduvar post for five years, many temples in the State are retaining the retired oduvars. At present there are about 3,000 oduvars in the State and the number of temples under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments is about 8,500.