Hindu Munnani State President, Kadeshwara C. Subramaniam, has strongly opposed the restriction on playing traditional musical instruments in temples governed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. He emphasized that this move, which undermines the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the Tamil people, must be reversed immediately.

In his statement, Subramaniam referred to the historic Virundeeswarar Temple in North Madurai, a significant religious site in Coimbatore. Known as a sacred place where Lord Shiva is believed to have delighted his followers, this temple has a long-standing tradition of incorporating musical instruments such as the Shiva vadyam and Kailaya vadyam into its rituals.

However, a new notice has been displayed at the temple banning instruments such as the horn, urumi, conch, drums, jamab, and others typically associated with Shiva worship. This decision has stirred outrage among devotees, who view music as an integral part of their spiritual practice — from waking the deity with devotional sounds to offering music during night rituals.

Subramaniam criticized the HR&CE Department, accusing it of failing in its duty to uphold and promote the cultural traditions it is meant to protect. He expressed concern that a systematic erosion of Tamil Nadu’s traditional arts is underway. Forms like Silambam, Karagattam, Oyilattam, Nadaswaram concerts, and ancient temple music traditions are slowly vanishing, replaced by influences from Western culture with the HR&CE Department allegedly playing a part in this decline.

Historically, temples served not only as places of worship but also as cultural hubs where the arts were nurtured. Many temples were equipped with special halls for devotional music, dance, and singing, such as those still visible in places like Srirangam, Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, Rameswaram, and Tiruchendur. These spaces were created by the kings and ancestors of Tamil Nadu to preserve and promote the arts.

Unfortunately, under HR&CE management, these structures have become inactive and neglected, no longer serving their intended purpose. At the same time, despite drawing revenue from temple activities, the Department reportedly fails to address the basic needs and facilities required for temple operations, while also interfering with religious traditions and rituals.

Subramaniam recalled previous instances of such interference, two years ago, musical instruments were banned at the Palani hill temple, and last year, the chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya” in unison was halted at the Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai. These actions, he noted, have deeply disturbed spiritual communities.

He also raised concerns over the double standards questioning whether similar intrusions would be tolerated in the worship practices of minority religions, and whether the so-called “Dravidian model” government has the right to alter longstanding Hindu temple customs.

Traditional Tamil devotional singers, who once recited the Thevaram and Thiruvasagam hymns in temples, are now rarely seen, and no support is extended to them by the authorities. Subramaniam accused the Tamil Nadu government of systematically dismantling the cultural fabric of Hindu temples and urged a reversal of this approach.

He concluded by stating that Tamil Nadu, a land rich with musical devotion and temple traditions, must not allow ancient musical practices to be silenced. On behalf of the Hindu Munnani, he demanded that the HR&CE Department not only revoke the instrument ban at the Virundeeswarar Temple in Coimbatore but also uphold and respect these sacred traditions across all temples under its administration.

His full statement read, “Ban on musical instruments in temples under the HR&CE Department! The action, which seeks to destroy the traditional music and arts of Tamils, must be stopped immediately. 

The post Hindu Munnani Slams Ban On Traditional Instruments In HR&CE Administered Virundeeswarar Temple & Other TN Temples Under Dept Purview, Urges Protection Of Temple Music Traditions appeared first on The Commune.

The Hindu Munnani has criticized the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department (HR&CE) department under the DMK government for banning the traditional drumming and beats known as “Kottu Mellam” during the procession of Lord Murugan at the Arulmigu Subramaniya Swami Temple in Tiruparankundram, Madurai.

Lord Murugan is depicted in his marriage adornments at the Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Tiruparankundram, which is one of the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan. The temple attracts thousands of devotees, both local and international, who come to seek blessings, especially on auspicious marriage and full moon days. It remains a major pilgrimage and tourist destination in the Madurai district.

In response to HR&CE decision, Hindu Munnani issued a statement via social media platform X, asserting, “The Dravidian model government must cease its unwarranted interference in, and disruption of Tamil worship practices rooted in our cultural and traditional heritage. Hinduism has long embraced the practice of singing praises and celebrating through various musical instruments, including drums. Lord Shiva holds a conch, Lord Krishna wields a flute, Lord Nandi carries a mridangam, and Narada plays the veena.

It is deeply objectionable to halt the festival processions of devotees who revere Hindu deities. In Hindu society, where it is legally acceptable to use drums for festivals, weddings, and funerals, such prohibitions are a disregard for the law. The Hindu Munnani strongly denounces the DMK’s Dravidian model government in Tamil Nadu for its deliberate suppression of Hindu practices and temple festivals, which appears to be an attempt to placate minority groups for electoral gain.”

கொட்டு மேளத்துக்கு தடை!!
திருப்பரங்குன்றத்தில் மேள தாளம் இல்லாமல் நடந்த சாமி ஊர்வலம்…

பல்வேறு பண்பாடு, பாரம்பரியம் கொண்ட தமிழர்களின் வழிபாட்டு முறையில் தேவையில்லாமல் தலையிட்டு சீர்குலைப்பது மற்றும் தடுத்து நிறுத்துவதை திராவிட மாடல் அரசு நிறுத்திக் கொள்ள வேண்டும்… pic.twitter.com/XXI3nkivO3

— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) August 19, 2024

Hindu Munnani also released a video purportedly showing the procession without the presence of any traditional musical instruments, used as evidence to confirm the absence of these traditional drumming elements during the event.

கொட்டு மேளத்துக்கு தடை!!
திருப்பரங்குன்றத்தில் மேள தாளம் இல்லாமல் நடந்த சாமி ஊர்வலம்…#மேளதாளம் #திருப்பரங்குன்றம் #HinduCulture #DMK #TamilNews pic.twitter.com/aRPL38F0Mr

— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) August 19, 2024

In January 2024, during Pongal and Thaipoosam celebrations, devotees encountered same difficulties when the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department (HR&CE) of Palani allegedly prohibited traditional drumming and beats, which are central to the worship and festivities. Reports indicate that Assistant Commissioner Lakshmi of the HR&CE department stated that drumming is not allowed at the Arulmigu Dandayuthapani Swami Temple on the Palani hills.

A widely shared video on Twitter featured a devotee expressing frustration, saying, “For the past five days, I’ve been on a sacred journey (Paadha yathirai), providing food along the paths from Thogai malai, Karur. Every year, we climb the Palani hills with drums and beats, but this year, the Assistant Commissioner is stopping us, which is causing distress. I don’t understand why the drums and beats are being prohibited. Please help us resolve this issue.”

Another devotee shared, “This tradition has been a part of my life for 42 years. At 56 years old, I have been coming here every January since I was 19. After worshiping at Thiru Avinankudi Temple, we perform a ritual walk around the hills and then ascend with drums and beats to worship Palani Andavar. We have been fasting for 48 days in preparation for this spiritual journey. Please assist us; our spiritual hearts are troubled. Your intervention would bring joy and fulfillment as we look forward to experiencing the divine presence of Palani Andavar. Please take the necessary steps to allow us to celebrate with drums and beats.”

மேளதாளம் அடிக்க அனுமதி மறுப்பு.. அத்துமீறும் அறநிலையத்துறை..

அருள்மிகு தண்டாயுதபாணி சாமி திருக்கோயில் பழனியில் மலையின் மேல் மேளதாளம் அடிக்க அனுமதி இல்லை என்று இணை ஆணையாளர் லட்சுமி அவர்கள் கூறியுள்ளார்.

பல குடும்பங்களின் வாழ்வாதாரத்தை பாதிக்கும் இந்த செயலை கண்டித்து விரைவில்… pic.twitter.com/ldAWixrV5I

— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) January 4, 2024

In reaction to the HR&CE’s decision, Hindu Munnani announced plans to organize a significant demonstration to protest the restriction, highlighting the potential impact on the livelihoods of many families and devotees involved in the celebrations.

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The post Hindu Munnani Slams DMK Govt Over Allegedly Banning Traditional Drumming During Lord Murugan’s Procession In Tiruparankundram appeared first on The Commune.