Over the centuries several தேவாரம் were lost. It was king Raja Raja Chola-I who performed the admirable duty of retrieving the தேவாரம் written on palm leaf scrolls from the chambers of the சிதம்பரம் temple. The தேவாரம் thus salvaged were compiled by நம்பியாண்டர் நம்பி. Today 797 பதிகம் or units containing 8272 தேவாரம் songs are available.

Besides salvaging the தேவாரம், King Raja Raja Chola-I resurrected தேவாரம் music by appointing pann music singers to sing the தேவாரம் all day at the Big Temple at தஞ்சாவூர். These singers are called ஓதுவார். The 23 styles of பண் music singing used by the ஓதுவார் are listed. Of these the யாழ்முரி பண் is said to have extraordinary musical qualities.