Visually-challenged woman appointed as odhuvar of temple in Chennai

The Hindu

6 days ago

The Arulmigu Pamban Kumaragurudasar Swamy Temple at Thiruvanmiyur in Chennai has a new odhuvar for whom the temple administration is preparing itself. A resident of Royapettah and a B. A. Music graduate S.S. Priyavathana, 24, is visually impaired and has been given the job, following a petition to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
'A panel of experts from the department interviewed her and she sings well, which is why she was given the appointment. The Chief Minister was delighted to know that she did well,' said P.K. Sekarbabu, Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Ms. Priyavathana was given the opportunity to perform in front of Mr. Stalin at a function on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) when she was handed over her appointment order. She sang 'Unnai deivam Enbadha, gurunatha', a song on Lord Ayyappan.
The odhuvar will have to be present at the temple, which also has a shrine for Lord Muruga, in the mornings and evenings during abhishekam and during all festivals. She would sing songs from Saint Arunagirinathar's Thirupugazh and also Pamban Swamigal's works including the Shanmuga Kavacham. 'We know that she needs help and will ensure that someone is available to provide the requisite assistance. Our staff is also being sensitised,' said Sakthi Perumal, temple executive officer.
Ms. Priyavathana, the daughter of Sureshkumar who runs a printing press, and Subashini, a homemaker, said she was happy to have sung the song for the Chief Minister. 'She was a pre-term baby and has been visually impaired from birth. Only when she was one, she would move listening to the sound of the TV and by three, she would sit in a nearby dance class listening to music. She studied at the Little Flower Convent and did her B.A. at the Government Music College. Her father and I take her outside. She also plays the violin. Her younger brother Yogin Nilesh, who is in class 12 helps her when at home. We are grateful to the Chief Minister and Mr. Sekarbabu for giving her this opportunity,' said her mother Subashini.