1. Bhakti Movement under Pallavas
Bhakti means ‘devotion’
Devotion to the ‘personal god’
It was started by Alwars and Nayanmars
Emergence of Hinduism led to the decline of Jainism and Buddhism in Tamil Country.
It was flourished from fifth century C.E.

2. Nayanmars Saivists were the Nayanmars – totally 63
Sekkilar’s Periyapuranam- gives biography of the 63 saints
Among them Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Manikkavasagar were prominent one.
They spread their religion sect through devotional songs.
Believed that ‘Love is Sivam’
Their hymns or songs collectively known as Devaram and Thiruvasagam
Tirumoolar, earlier among the Nayanmars- his famous work Thirmantiram.
Purananuru mentioned lord Siva as ’Mudumudalvan’

3. Appar (Thirunavukkarasar)
7th century
Born in Vellala Family at Thirumanaipadi in Thiruvarur.
He lost his parents when he was young.
Originally he was Jain scholar and he called as ‘Dharmaenar’
He suffered a lot by an incurable abdominal disease. It was cured only by the divine grace of Lord Siva.
Then he embraced Saivism effort of his sister Tilakavatiyar.
He was the contemporary of the Pallava ruler Mahendravarman I
Tiruchirappalli Inscription mentioned, Thirunavukkarasu who converted Mahendravarman I from Jainism to Hinduism.
Died at the age of 81

4. Sambandar (Thirugnasambandar)
Born in Brahmin family at Sirkali in Tanjore.
Contemporary of Arikesari Parangusa Maravarman ( C.E) ruler of later pandya kingdom.
he converted Arikesari Parangusa Maravarman alias Kun Pandian was converted to Saivism from Jainism.
Participated religious debates and defeated a number of Jains of Madura by Anal Vadam and Punal Vadam.
due to his effort, the disappearance of Jainism occurred in the later Pandya Kingdom.
He composed Six thousand Devaram songs

5. Sundaramurthy or Sundarar
Born in a poor Brahmin family at Thirunavalur in Tirumunaipadi near Villupuram.
Narasinga, a local chieftain adopted him as his son.
He was known as ‘Tambiran Tholan’ or friend of God
He married two women from non-Brahmin family, Parava naachiyar and Chengilie naachiyar
He supported and followed inter-caste marriage
His approach to god is called as Yoga Marga or Sakha Marga.
Yoga marga dealt with relationship between god and devotee.
He composed 100 devotional songs or pathigams.

6. Manikkavasagar Born at Thiruvadavur in Madurai
He served as minister under Varaguna I, the pandya ruler
Connected with nari (Jackal) and pari (Horse) in Thiruvilayadal Puranam.
His approach to God known as Gnanamarga or Sanmarga.
His contribution: Thiruvasagam and Thirucchitrambalakkoavai
Thiruvasagam – devotional songs – consists of 51 divisions, songs
J.U. Pope translated into English

7. Alvars
Vaishnavists. Vaishanism flourished parallel to Saivism in South India
12 Alvars. 1. Poigai Alvar 2. Bhoothathalvar 3. Peyalvar 4. Thirumalisai Alvar, 5. Nammalvar, 6. Madhurakavi Alvar , 7. Kulasekhara Alvar, 8. Periyalvar, 9. Andal, 10. Thondaradippodi Alvar, 11. Thirumangai Alvar, 12.Thiruppaan Alvar
Earliest Alvars, Poigai Alvar, Bhoothathalvar and Peyalvar.
songs-greatest of Lord Vishnu in Simple Venba verses.
Last Alvars, Nammalvar and Madurakavi alvar.
Madurakavi, one of the student of Nammalvar.

8. Collection of the devotional songs of the 12 Alvars was known as Nalairadivya Prabandam. Nathamuni compiled this work.
Nammalvar’s philosophical work of ‘Thiruvaymoli’ considered as ‘Dravidavedam’.
Thirumalisai Alvar who was a sudra by birth.
Thirumangai Alvar was a kallar by birth.
Thondaradippodi Alvar’s famous works Tirumalai and Tirupallieluchi.
Kulasekhara Alvar was chief of Venad in Kerala. He composed Periya Thirumoli and Mukunda Mala in Sanskrit.
Tiruppanalvar was a basically panchama by birth.

9. Periyalvar or Bhattabiram or Sadagopan was Brahmin by birth.
He was foster father of Andal.
He converted Srimara Srivallabha, Pandya King into Vaishanavism.
Sri Andal or Kothai natchiyar
Her main work Thiruppavai and Nachiyar Thirumoli.
Conflict among the two sects.
Worship of Linga existed
Worship of Ganapathi and Muruga came into practice after Narasimhavarman I.
Kulasekara Alvar’s Perumal Tirumalai

10. Worship of Muruga divided into three kinds
1. Parivara Devata – subsidiary deity 2. Samapradana Devata – deity seated on a common pedestal 3. Pradana Devata – supreme deity in independent temple.
Lord Muruga had several names like Kadamba, Kanda, Karthikeya, Kadirvela, Kumara, Subramanya, vela etc.
Thiruppavai mentioned number of names of Lord Vishnu like Damodharan, Govindan, Kesavan, Mayon, Nedumal, Padmanabhan, Vaikundan, Thirumal etc.
Ten avatars of Lord Vishnu Macha, Kurma, Varaha, Narashima, Vamana, Parasurama, Rama, Balarama, Krishna and Kalki.

11. Impact of Bhakti Movement
Hinduism flourished in two directions
Alvars and Nayanmars spred the Hindu principles among the common people.
Hindu religion reached to the masses.
Pillai Tamil and Andhathi ula developed
Sanskrit words mingle with Tamil literature (Manipiravalam)
Emergence of Sanskrit and Tamil literature works rose to prominence.
Matthavilasaprahasanam of Mahendravarman I Sanskrit play
Revival of Hindu religion took place mainly against the domination of Jainism and Buddism.
It disappeared gradually from South India.

12. Muthollayiram written during this period, author was unknown.
Tolamali Tevar's Sulamani, which contains 12 chapters and 2131 lyrics.
Kongu Valir's A Ganga king's Perumkathai, which consists of six chapters and 1600 lines.
Seraman Perumal Nayanar's Ponvannattu Andhathi and Mummanikkovai.
Nandikkalambakam is a secular work. it gives clear picture of the history and achievements of Nandivarman III.
Perunthevanar wrote Bharatha Venba.
Grammar and Lexicography developed during this period.