Thiruthani Swaminathan
An othuvar who has sung the Tamil Thirumurai hymns for over 55 years, including 26 years at the Thiruttani temple, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2026.
In Tamil Nadu’s Shiva temples, othuvars sing the Thirumurai, the great collection of Tamil hymns to Shiva, in the old pann musical tradition. N. Swaminathan is one of the most admired of them. In 2026 he was named for the Padma Shri in the field of art, from Tamil Nadu [1].
Learning the hymns
Swaminathan was born on 6 July 1945 in Thanjavur district [2]. He studied Tamil music at the Thevara Padasalai of Thirukadavur, and then at the school of the Dharmapuram Adheenam in Mayiladuthurai [2].
He served as othuvar in many temples, and for about 26 years at the Thiruttani Murugan temple, which is how he came to be known as Thiruthani Swaminathan [2].
Singer and teacher
His sung discourses draw large audiences, and he has performed in Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Switzerland [2]. He is an A-grade artist of All India Radio, Tiruchirappalli, and has released more than 100 cassettes and CDs of Thirumurai singing [2].
He now heads the Thevara Padasalai of the Dharmapuram Adheenam, where he trains students [2]. He has received the Tamil Nadu government’s Kalaimamani award, among twelve honours [2].
Sources
- [1] Padma Awards 2026: list of awardees — Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Accessed 11 October 2026.
- [2] Padma Awards 2026 investiture ceremony brochure: citation for Thiruthani Swaminathan — Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Accessed 12 October 2026.
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