http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Brahmins-on-margins-remain-outside-widening-welfare-net-/articleshow/6448640.cms
Brahmins on margins remain outside widening welfare net B Sivakumar, TNN, Aug 28, 2010, 01.14am IST CHENNAI: A group of men, both young and old, some even close to 80, huddle in a corner of a street leading to the ancient Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore on a rainy evening. They are waiting for a senior priest (purohit) to hand out assignments for the next day. These may vary from assisting in a marriage ritual to chanting funeral prayers. Most of them eventually will come away with a couple of token payments of Rs 200-300 made by householders for such poojas or ceremonies. Given the irregular nature of their income, not many earn more than Rs 2,000 to 3,000 per month. Traditionally associated with learning and education, the Brahmins of Tamil Nadu, who constitute roughly 4-5% of the six-crore population, are perceived to be a socially and economically advanced elite, but not many realise that today a large section of the community lives precariously close to the poverty line. According to the Tamil Nadu Brahmin Association (Tambras), about 30% of Brahmins in the state can be described as economically backward and they number close to 10 lakh. However, they are denied aid by the government as they are seen to belong to a traditionally affluent community. Efforts by legislators such as S Ve Shekher to have them included in welfare schemes for housing and education have not succeeded so far. Their only source of income is what senior priests part with from their share of offerings made by householders and devotees during Hindu rituals. Ravi Sastrigal, a purohit in Mylapore, says, "The chief priest gets Rs 2,000-3,000 for a marriage. His juniors get Rs 500-600, plus free food, for reciting mantras. And then there are those who accompany them as mere helpers they get about Rs 150-200."
