Appar
Also called: Tirunavukkarasar · Topic: Bhakti and Sufi Traditions · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 2 "Bhakti-Sufi Traditions"
Meaning
Appar, also called Tirunavukkarasar, was a Tamil Nayanar saint of the 7th century. The Nayanars were devotees of Shiva. He went from shrine to shrine singing Tamil hymns to Shiva. Tradition says he was a Jain before he turned to Shaivism. His hymns are among the most important texts of the Tamil Shaiva tradition. He is one of the three poets of the Tevaram, a collection of Shaiva hymns arranged in the 10th century according to their music.
Example
In one verse, Appar mocks "rogues who quote the law books" and asks what use gotra (clan) and kula (family lineage) are to a true devotee. This attack on caste pride is often quoted. Around 945, the Chola king Parantaka I placed metal images of Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar in a Shiva temple. These images were carried in festival processions.
Don't confuse with
- Tondaradippodi: also criticised caste pride, but he was a Brahmana Alvar, a devotee of Vishnu, not of Shiva.
Related concepts
- Alvars
- Nayanars
- Nalayira Divya Prabandham
- Tevaram
- Sambandar
- Sundarar
- Manikkavachakar
- Nammalvar
- Tondaradippodi
- Andal