Study of Thevaram-inscribed copper plates unearthed from Sirkazhi temple begins

The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) has begun studying and compiling the rare copper plates inscribed with Thevaram hymns that were unearthed at the Thoniappar Temple, also known as the Sattainathar Temple, at Sirkazhi in Mayiladuthurai district in April 2023.

A total of 23 panchaloha idols of various deities and 483 copper plates bearing Thevaram hymns were unearthed a few feet below the surface near the west gopuram entrance of the temple during renovation works. The temple is under the administrative control of the Dharmapuram Adheenam.

This was the first time copper plates with Thevaram hymns were discovered in Tamil Nadu, and the finding served as a testament to the stone inscriptions in the Chidambaram temple that mention the practice of inscribing Thevaram hymns on copper plates. Following the discovery, epigraphical experts from the TNSDA visited the temple multiple times to examine the copper plates.

Chemical treatment

Since the plates had been buried in the soil for many years, they were affected by fungal deposits. They were processed through standard chemical treatment methods and each plate was taken as estampage to obtain readable impressions, and this process alone took around three months, as the Thevaram hymns were engraved on both sides of the plates, R. Sivanantham, Joint Director of the TNSDA, who is currently studying the copper plates, told The Hindu.

He said the copper plates were not in an orderly manner. Nearly 410 copper plates were in good shape, while the rest had minor damages. “Though there were holes in the middle of the plates, they had not been strung together. Because of this, the plates were not in any particular sequence. Although the hymns engraved on the plates were on Lord Shiva from different temples, they were neither arranged temple-wise nor according to the Shaivaite saint poets – Thirunavukkarasar (also called Appar), Thirugnanasambandhar, and Sundarar – who composed them,” Mr. Sivanantham said.

Transcription process

Most of the plates had 10 to 12 lines on one side, although there were variations. Based on the style of writing, it was evident that the inscriptions were not engraved by a single scribe, but by different individuals. The hymns engraved on the plates are now being transcribed systematically and compared with the Thevaram hymns already compiled and in use, he said.

When the plates were discovered, there were questions as to whether they contained newly found Thevaram hymns or those already in use. From the hymns deciphered so far, it appears that they match the existing Thevaram songs. Steps are under way to completely read the copper plates, compare and compile them, he added.