Madurai, Dec 7 (PTI) The Madras High Court today asked theHindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Board officials tofix the salary of 'Othuvars' (persons who recite ancient Tamilhymns in temples), on par with the government employees as itrejected the contention that they were not full-time workers.
Disposing of a petition filed by Singavelan, Othuvar ofSri Elanji Kumarar temple in Tirunelveli district, Justice RMahadevan said the service of the Othuvars should not bemeasured with the aid of clock.
"Simply because the Othuvars recite hymns for two hours orthree hours, officials cannot make them shed tears for theirsalary," the Juge said in his order.
An analysis of their service would reveal their deep andunimaginable knowledge of Tamil literature and language. Theirsinging energise the Human mind who come to the temple to getrid off their agonies, he said.
The judge rejected the contention of the JointCommissioner of HR and CE, which administers a large number oftemples in the state, that 'Othuvars' in the temple were not afull time workers and recited the hymns only during two orthree 'kala poojas' out of six poojas daily.
Tracing existence of othuvars since 9th century AD, theJudge said Chola king Rajaraja Cholan appointed 48 persons torecite 'Thirupathigam' along with musical instruments.
Vijayanagar kingdom's Krishnadeva Rayar also appointedothuvars in 1517. The significance of the othuvars wasprominent for centuries and it was painful now the governmentwas making them run from pillar to post.
Despite several G.Os, the government had not implementedthe salary fixation for the othuvars.
The Judge also rejected the argument that funds were notavailable with temples for paying the Othuvars. PTI SSNVS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.