While volunteerism should be strongly encouraged among
Nagarathars, especially in serving temple needs. Nevertheless, in some temples
in Malaysia, the agent of Kariyakarar became the barrier to discourage and disallow
Nagarathars (pulli) to recite katthiyam. Being a senior citizen of age, rather
than encouraging the youngsters, it turned up being more of discrimination,
where favoring the other kittangi agents and their best friends whom is deemed
as involved in “Samy alangraram”(including non-pulli). When questioned, he
stated, it has been written on a list (sitthai).
My question is “sitthai” is not carved on a stone and why wasn’t
is announced publicly for volunteerism. In addition, how could they classify on
people who are involved in “Samy alangraram” are volunteers. How about nagarathars
who volunteer for Chariot cleaning, temple cleaning, carriying Samy, serving
food during temple events etc.
In a year, there are atleast 12 occasions to recite
katthiyam, they can offer the opportunity to 12 different Nagarathars, rather
than having 3-4 Nagarathars to dominate throughout the year. To make it worse,
some kittangi agents even recites it atleast 4 times a year (by wearing long
pants) and another kittangi agent came through back door to recite for the 1st
time last year (where he struggled too). While Senior Nagarathars should be
leading examples, but they are the ones whom are wearing modern costumes, yet
still struggles to recite katthiyam, although they have been reciting for more
than a decade.
Temple management should be more of servant leaders with humbleness,
humility, and modesty. But over here, even to recite katthiyam, there’s
so much of politics.