Small hymnals that recorded the historic entry into the temple

More than 87 years ago, this day – July 8 – witnessed a truly historic moment in Tamil Nadu. People belonging to the oppressed castes, who were barred from entering the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple till then, entered the premises to offer worship. Although many newspapers and government documents extensively recorded this entry into the temple, it was also documented in another fascinating way. Inexpensive Kummi hymnals (kapbooks), published at the time, vividly captured the movement and its effects.

Although certain castes were traditionally barred from entering temples in Tamil Nadu, in the southern districts the Nadar community was also kept out, along with the so-called untouchables. On 8 July 1939, a group led by A. Vaidyanatha Iyer of the Tamil Nadu Harijan Sevak Sangh, comprising “untouchables” and Nadar, entered the Meenakshi Amman temple and offered prayers. Following this, a number of other temples across Tamil Nadu were gradually opened to all who wished to offer worship. The Madras Government also passed an ordinance in support of this.

During the 1930s and 1940s, it was common practice to write songs about significant events that caused public uproar and publish them as books. Similarly, hymnals were published both in support of and against Madurai temple entry.

After entering the temple, a hymn book was published in 1939 to welcome the move, titled “Madurai Aalaya Pravesam Ennum Aananda Geetham” (Joyful Song of Entering the Madurai Temple). It contained nine songs written by Muthamizh Kshetra Madurakavi V. Nataraja Kavirayar. The songs celebrated the movement and blessed those who participated in it and facilitated it. One song was even structured as a debate between an “untouchable” and an orthodox Vedic practitioner.

Another hymnal published in 1939 in support of the cause was “Muthamizh Kshetra Madurai Meenakshi Amman Kovil Harijana Aalaya Pravesa Geetham” (The Harijan Temple Entry Song of Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple). The book was written by AM Abdul Karim of Pollachi and published by S. Sundararaja Kon of Madurai. It was sold for 1 anna and contained seven songs. The songs in this book were of slightly better literary quality compared to the songs written by Nataraja Kavirayar.

Just as books were published in support of the cause, so were those published that strongly condemned the movement. The late writer and historian Tho. Paramasivan recorded detailed information about hymnals in one of his essays on Madurai temple entry.

Of the songs denouncing the movement, one was published in 1939 and another in 1940. The book was titled “Aalaya Ethirppu Kummi” (Kummi Song of Opposition to Temple Entry) and was written by Bageerathi Ammal of Madurai Pechiyamman Kovil Raastha. The sixteen-page hymnal was valued at 2 annas.

The book published in 1940 was titled “Aalaya Pravesa Kandana Paattu Pusthakam” (A Hymnal Condemning Temple Entry). It was published by S. Dharmambal of Madurai Kamala Thoppu Street. A 28-page book was also valued at 2 annas.

Tho. Paramasivan said that both the books had to be published with the support of the Varnashrama Swarajya Sangam, which was functioning under the leadership of N. Nates Iyer. These hymnals vehemently condemned temple entry and labeled those who entered the temple as “chandals” (outcasts).

A song in Bageerathi Ammal’s book described “Meenakshi Amman leaving the temple as the Harijans entered and people searching for Her in the streets of Madurai”. The hymnal also condemned the Madras Premier Rajaji (C. Rajagopalachari) who brought the ordinance.

After entering the temple, the Varnashrama Swarajya Sangam met in a bungalow named Mangala Nivas and passed a resolution. There is also one of the resolutions in this song: “To build a temple, to train men, women and children in the Agamic scriptures, to deliver rare spiritual discourses, to visit (the temple) with great zeal along with assemblies of learned scholars, and to spend our time usefully in complete devotion – thus shall we live.”

Pursuant to this resolution, a small “New Meenakshi Amman Temple” was constructed on a vacant plot near the bungalow complex of Aarubathi Nates Iyer, President of Varnashrama Swarajya Sangam, located on Tamil Sangam Road, where the rituals and worship began. The Goddess was worshiped here as Sri Bala Meenambigai.

Writer and historian AR Venkatachalapathy, who is also the author of ‘Muchanthi Ilakkiyam’ (street corner literature), says this trend started around the 1880s and peaked in the 1920s along with the nationalist movement. “The songs were written in simple meters, often about important events, and printed on cheap paper. They were known as Kummi or Gujili songbooks. One of the main reasons for the emergence of this kind of literature is the public’s eagerness to know about current events. However, the opinions expressed in these songs were not exactly close to the truth. They were generally based on what was perceived by public opinion, with respect to individual authors,” he says.

In the mid-1940s, the lawsuits over temple entry ended, the priests accepted the decision of the temple management and returned to their duties in the main temple, after which this temporary temple was slowly abandoned.

Published – 08 Jul 2026 0:27 IST