Odhuvars, an integral part of Tamil Nadu’s historical legacy, are known for their devotional singing in Hindu temples. They don’t serve as priests but are responsible for singing hymns and praises dedicated to Lord Shiva from Thirumurai in Saivite temples. Notably, they are not allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum.
Tracing back to their origins, the tradition of Odhuvars is deeply ingrained in the Bhakti movement, which thrived between the 6th and 9th centuries in Tamil Nadu. Advancing their rich musical and devotional heritage, the Odhuvars emerged as custodians of this cultural treasure, created by saint-poets Alwars and Nayanars.
Alvars and Nayanars: The Icons of Tamil Bhakti Tradition
Alvars and Nayanars took distinct paths in their devotion, with Alvars leaning towards Lord Vishnu and Nayanars preferring Lord Shiva. This dichotomy shaped the vibrant Bhakti literature, which is still cherished today.
The Alvars comprised twelve Vaishnava saint-poets, who channeled their devotion to Lord Vishnu into a series of hymns focusing on surrendering to attain salvation. These hymns, written in Tamil, were compiled into the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, forming a central part of Vaishnavite scriptures. On the other hand, the Nayanars were sixty-three Shaiva saint-poets, who devoted themselves to Lord Shiva. Their Tamil hymns and poems, celebrating Shiva in all his forms, were collected in the Thirumurai, a corpus of Shaivite scriptures.
Odhuvars’ Significance in Today’s Context
Odhuvars continue to serve an essential purpose in Tamil Nadu’s temples, both in daily and festive rituals. Their primary duties include reciting Thevaram and Thiruvasagam, two ancient Tamil texts teeming with hymns and praises dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Besides their religious role, Odhuvars contribute to community engagement, providing economic opportunities for marginalized individuals. Moreover, their performances foster unity and a sense of belonging within the local community.
Additionally, Odhuvars play a crucial role in preserving the Tamil language. Through their recitations, they contribute to the understanding and appreciation of ancient Tamil texts by future generations. They also promote a devotional atmosphere within the temples, helping worshippers connect to their spirituality.
Odhuvars’ Challenges and Issues
Despite their significant contributions, Odhuvar families face several challenges, including economic instability, lack of recognition, waning interest among the younger generation, and competition with modern technology. Most Odhuvar families rely heavily on temple donations and offerings, which is an unstable source of income.
Concurrently, their contributions often go unrecognized, leading to little motivation for future generations to carry on the tradition. This, coupled with the advent of recorded music and digital media, creates an uncertain future for traditional Odhuvar practices.
Moreover, the lack of institutional support from recognized government institutions like the Sangeet Natak Academy adds to the difficulties. They have largely overlooked Odhuvars’ concerns despite possessing the expertise to alleviate their struggles.
The Role of Odhuvars in UPSC Civil Services Examination
The Odhuvars and their work are integral to Indian cultural history, making them an important topic in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Relevant questions have featured in past examinations, including the nature of Bhakti Literature and its contribution to Indian culture (2021), and the re-orientation of the Bhakti movement with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (2018). Other questions have focused on regional cultures and practices such as Kalaripayattu, an ancient martial art from South India.
