The Alvars (pronounced 'aalvaars', and also spelt as 'azhvars' and pronounced 'aazhvaars') are Hindu saint-mystics of antiquity, followers of Lord Vishnu. There were twelve of them. They sang in praise of Lord Vishnu. While the Alvars are devotees of Vishnu, the Nayanmars, (pronounced 'naayanmaars') are devotees of Siva.

Imperishable legacy

The twelve Alvars and sixty-three Nayanmars, the last of whom lived in the 9th century CE – were all inspired and ardent devotees who transmitted their divine infatuation to millions. Some of them have left behind an imperishable legacy of devotional Tamil poetry -- naalaayira Divya Prabhandham (considered to be the essence of the Vedas, in Tamil, and all in praise of Lord Vishnu), tevaaram and tiruvaachagam (both in praise of Lord Shiva). These

The Vedas in Tamil

The one held in greatest esteem among the Alvars is Nammalvar. He is the 'soul' of the twelve Alvars. Tradition dates him at 3102 BCE but scholars ascribe him to the seventh century CE. He sang of God and trumpeted about Him because he simply could not resist that urge in him. His contribution to the four thousand prabandhams is as many as 1352. He poured the cream of the Vedas into his songs. The work of this Alwar is rightly called the "Dravida Vedam" - Veda in Tamil. His works - Thiru Aasiriyam, Thiru Virudham, Periya Thiruvandhadhi corresspond to the Yajur, Rig and Atarvana veda respectively. His other work Periya Thirumozhi (meaning Divine words) is the magnum opus of the literary treasures of Srivaishnavism.

Tiruppaavai

Next in line is Periyaazhvaar who delighted in worshipping the Lord as mother, nurse, devotee and lady love. To Andal, (pronounced 'aanDaaL', the divine gift to him in the form of a daughter is attributed the tiruppaavai, a

The remaining Azhvars

• Poigai aazhwar
• Bhoothathaazwar
• Peyaazhwar

(These three are called Muthal-aazhvaargal, meaning, the first aazhvars, chronologically).

• Thirumazhisai Aazhwar
• Madhurakavi Aazhvaar
• Kulasekaraazhvaar
• Thondaradippodi Aazhvaar
• Thiruppaanaazhvaar
• Thirumangai Aazhvaar

Renaissance of Bhakti

The Bhakti literature that sprang from these Alvars and Nayanmars has in no small measure contributed to the establishment and sustenance of a culture that broke away from the ritual-oriented Vedic religion and rooted itself in Devotion as the only path for salvation. In addition they helped to make the Tamil religious life independent of a knowledge of Sanskrit.

See also

• South India's 75 Apostles of Bhakti