TAMIL
Tamil religious literature
S. N. KANDASWAMY
SAMAYA TAMIZH — T.P.M. Kalanchiyam VI: Compiled by Shanmugasundaram, Palladam Manickam; Kaavya, 16, II Cross Street, Trustpuram, Kodambakkam, Chennai-600024. Rs. 500.
THIS VOLUME is a compendium of five books and many articles on the different aspects of Tamil religious literature, written by the veteran Tamil scholar and polyglot T.P. Meenakshisundaram, endearingly known as TPM.
In the first book, an elaborate discussion on the poems and prabandhas by different poets extolling the spiritual achievement of the hunter-saint Kannappar is made based on the principles of Indian rhetoric and aesthetics.
The second is an exposition of the heroic and devotional service of Eripattar, one of the 63 Saiva saints, glorified in the Periyapuranam. In the next one the author projects the position of Jainism, as revealed in the hymns of Sambandhar (650 A.D.) The fourth is a literary appreciation of the devotional lyrics of Kulasekhara Azhavar (850 A.D.).
Following the records of H.Quaritch Wales, the author explains the recital of the Tamil hymns of Saiva and Vaishanava saints in the royal festivals of Thailand.
Vinayaka worship, Tantric tradition, recitation of Tamil hymns in temples, temple architecture, tenets of Advaita Vedanta and the universalism of the Periyapuranam are some other themes.
The author has exhumed some hitherto unknown hymns pertaining to the Tiruvasagam from palm leaf manuscripts. On the whole, this volume is a storehouse of knowledge.
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