Discovery of Copper Plates with Thevaram Hymns - Sirkazhi, Tamil Nadu
Background
Location: Thoniappar (Sattainathar) Temple, Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu
Discovered by: Temple workers during renovation near west gopuram entrance
Significance
First time copper plates bearing Thevaram hymns have been discovered in Tamil Nadu.
Earlier evidence (from Chidambaram temple inscriptions) mentioned this practice but no physical plates had been found before.
Shows continuity of Shaivite literary tradition and devotional inscription practices in Tamil culture.
The plates contain hymns dedicated to Lord Shiva, across various temples.
However, the arrangement is not systematic neither by temple nor by saint-poet.
Thevaram Hymns
Thevaram = Collection of Shaivite devotional hymns composed in Tamil.
Poets:
Thirugnanasambandhar
Appar (Thirunavukkarasar)
Sundarar
Period: 7th–9th centuries CE
They form the first seven volumes of the Tirumurai, the canonical Shaivite text.
Promoted Bhakti movement and temple worship under the Cholas.
Thevaram & Tirumurai (Tamil Shaiva Bhakti Literature)
Thevaram: The term “Thevaram” literally means “garland of the divine” or “hymns of the Lord.”
Nature: A collection of devotional hymns (Padigams) sung in praise of Lord Shiva.
Language: Classical Tamil.
Period: 7th–8th centuries CE.
Philosophical Context: Represents Shaiva Bhakti tradition, emphasizing personal devotion to Shiva over ritualism.
Composers (Muvar – The Trinity of Shaiva Saints):
Saint | Alternate Name | Volumes in Thevaram | Key Themes |
Thirugnanasambandar | Sambandar | Vols. 1–3 | Joyful devotion, miracles, and Shiva’s grace |
Thirunavukkarasar | Appar | Vols. 4–6 | Moral strength, penance, simplicity |
Sundarar | — | Vol. 7 | Personal connection with Shiva, social compassion |
Collectively known as “Tevaram Muvar” (Three revered ones).
Composition & Content
Total Hymns: ~796 hymns across 7 volumes.
Temples Praised: Over 275 Shaiva temples, known as Paadal Petra Sthalams.
Themes: Devotion, surrender, moral discipline, equality, divine grace.
Tirumurai (The Sacred Canon of Tamil Shaivism)
A 12-volume anthology of Tamil Shaiva devotional and philosophical texts.
Compiled between the 7th–12th centuries CE.
Considered the Tamil equivalent of the Vedas in the Shaiva Siddhanta tradition.
Composition
Volume(s) | Work | Author |
1–7 | Thevaram | Sambandar, Appar, Sundarar |
8 | Tiruvasagam, Tirukkovaiyar | Manikkavasagar |
9 | Tiruvisaippa, Tiruppallandu | Various saints |
10 | Tirumantiram | Tirumular |
11 | Misc. Hymns | 12 Shaiva saints |
12 | Periya Puranam | Sekkizhar |
Prelims Practice MCQ
Q. The Thevaram forms part of which larger Tamil Shaiva anthology?
(a) Silappatikaram
(b) Kural literature
(c) Tirumurai ✅
(d) Tolkappiyam
Explanation:
Tirumurai is the 12-volume Shaiva canon; Thevaram constitutes its first seven volumes.
Q. Match the following pairs correctly:
Author | Work |
A. Sambandar | 1. Tiruvasagam |
B. Manikkavasagar | 2. Thevaram |
C. Tirumular | 3. Tirumantiram |
D. Sekkizhar | 4. Periya Puranam |
Codes:
(a) A–1, B–2, C–3, D–4
(b) A–2, B–1, C–3, D–4 ✅
(c) A–2, B–3, C–1, D–4
(d) A–4, B–1, C–3, D–2
Q. The Tiruvasagam and Tirukkovaiyar are attributed to:
(a) Manikkavasagar ✅
(b) Sambandar
(c) Appar
(d) Nambi Andar Nambi