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The Hindu
27-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi soaks in spiritual experience on his visit to Gangaikonda Cholapuram
The spirit of bakthi hung in the air and Prime Minister Narendra Modi soaked in the spiritual experience during his more than two-hour visit to the Brihadisvara temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram on Sunday. Sporting a traditional Tamil attire of white dhoti (veshti) and half-sleeve shirt with an angavastram (upper cloth), Mr. Modi offered prayers at the Shiva temple built by Rajendra Chola I, which is famous for its imposing architecture and exquisite sculptures. He was received with poorna kumbam honours. He performed aarathi to the presiding deity. Devotional renderings by maestro Ilaiyaraaja and a group of Odhuvars were held. The Odhuvars rendered the Thevaram hymns in praise of Lord Shiva, Thodudaiya Seviyan, Pithaa Piraisoodi Perumaney, and Muthaitharu Pathith Thirunagai from the Thirupugazh in praise of Lord Murugan. This was followed by the performance of the troupe led by Mr. Ilaiyaraaja. Singer Madhu Balakrishnan rendered the Om Sivahom. The maestro with his mesmerising voice rendered the Namah Shivaya Vaazhga Naadhanthaal Vaazhga and Poovar Senni Mannan of Saint Manickavasagar. The performances drew standing ovations from the Prime Minister. Moved by the spiritual atmosphere, Mr. Modi acknowledged it while speaking at the valedictory of the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival at the temple complex. Greeting the audience with 'Vanakkam Cholamandalam' (salutations to the Chola region), Mr. Modi appreciated the performances of Mr. Ilaiyaraaja and the Odhuvars. He handed over a pot of Ganga water from Kasi to the Sivachariars at the temple. The celebration of Ganga in the land of the Cauvery is also a legacy of the Chola Empire, he observed, and expressed happiness that he had once again brought Ganga water to Tamil Nadu. He viewed a thematic photo exhibition on 'Saiva Siddhanta and Chola Temple Arts', put up by the Union Ministry of Culture. Impressed by the achievements of the Cholas, he urged the people to visit the exhibition without fail. Mr. Modi released a Tamil musical album on Bhagavad Gita brought out by Chinmaya Mission and a publication on Thevaram brought out by Sahitya Akademi. He also held a roadshow on the way to the temple.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- 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
27-05-2025
- 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.
