Latest news with #Priyavathana
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Visually-impaired woman appointed as Oodhuvar of Tamil Nadu's Thiruvanmiyur temple
CHENNAI: In a first for the state, a visually impaired woman has been appointed as an Oodhuvar in a temple under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department. SS Priyavathana (24) from Chennai received her appointment order from Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday and was posted at the Pamban Swamigal temple in Thiruvanmiyur. With this, she becomes the 12th woman and the first visually impaired person to be appointed as Oodhuvar – devotional singers who recite Tamil hymns in temples. Since the DMK government assumed office, 35 Oodhuvars have been appointed, including 11 women. Born preterm, Priyavathana was diagnosed with visual impairment five months after birth. With her parents' support, she pursued a BA in Vocal Music from the Tamil Nadu Government Music College, completed diplomas in music teaching and in Isai Kalaimani, and later trained at the Archaka Training Institute. She now performs daily temple duties accompanied by one of her parents. Speaking to TNIE, her mother Subashini Sureshkumar, who has been her constant companion and first teacher, said, 'She would sit close to the TV speaker and hum along. We noticed her interest early and enrolled her in music classes.' Since Priyavathana does not read Braille, Subashini first memorised the songs and then taught them to her daughter. Over time, Priyavathana mastered various Tamil devotional hymns and has performed in temples and venues such as Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. 'She also sings bhajans in Telugu, Hindi, and Marathi, and plays the violin. Her day is filled with music practice for three to four hours,' said Subashini, adding that she continues to support her daughter in every step.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Visually-challenged woman appointed as odhuvar of temple in Chennai
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.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
HR&CE appoints visually impaired Priyavathana as odhuvar of Pamban Swamy temple
The Arulmigu Pamban Kumaragurudasar Swamy Temple at Thiruvanmiyur 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 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. Ms. Priyavathana was given the opportunity to perform in front of Mr. Stalin at a function on Tuesday 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 BA 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 plus 2 helps her when at home. We are grateful to the Chief Minister and Mr. Sekarbabu for giving her this opportunity,' said her mother Subashini.
