AN INTRODUCTION TO SAINT ARUNAKIRINAATHAR'S KANTHARALANGKAARAM

வேலும் மயிலும் துணை

Singaravelu Sachithanantham
University of Malaya
50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

About Kantharalangkaaram

Kantharalangkaaram is a collection of 108 sacred songs in praise of Lord Thirumurukapperumaan, sung in Tamil by Saint Arunakirinaathar [14th–15th century A.D.]; and the other seven collections of sacred songs sung by the saint in praise of the Lord are known as Thiruppukazh (1324 songs), Kantharanthaathi (100 songs), Kantharanupuuthi (101 songs), Thiruvakuppu (25 songs), Velviruththam (10 songs), Mayilviruththam (11 songs), and Sevalviruththam (11 songs).

The Title: Kantharalangkaaram

The title Kantharalangkaaram consists of two words, namely, Kanthar and alangkaaram. The name Kanthar, or Kanthan, is one of several sacred appellations of Lord Thirumurukapperumaan. It is believed to be derived from the Tamil word Kanthu, meaning 'pillar [of divine support]'. It is also believed that the name Kanthar, or Kanthan, is related to the term Skanda in Sanskrit. The term alangkaaram means 'adornment-and-ornamentation' and hence the title Kantharalangkaaram means 'Kanthar's adornment-and-ornamentation'.