Madar Pirai Kanni Yanai | Thevaram Song in Tamil | மாதர்ப் பிறைக்கண்ணி யானை | Sounds of Isha

Madar Pirai Kanni Yanai - A vibrant dance depiction by Isha Samskriti. Download or listen online: Lyrics and meaning: Listen to other songs from this album here: Learn more about Isha Samskriti: Thevarams are devotional hymns sung in praise of Shiva by the 3 Nayanmars: Sambandar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar. Rendered in an ancient musical style that precedes most Indian classical music systems, these songs give us an insight into the wave of bhakti that swept across southern India during the 7th Century. In this album, children of Isha Samskriti have rendered a select few Thevaram, as an offering to today’s world. The Nayanmars traveled the length and breadth of South India, predominantly in current day Tamil Nadu, and the temples in this region find a place in their songs. The 275 temples mentioned in Thevaram are referred to as “Paadal Petra Thalam,” which literally means “the temples that were sung in the verses”. The singing of Thevaram is still an active process in many Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. Despite his old age, Appar had a strong desire to see Kailash, to see Shiva. He started walking, but being over the age of 80, his legs soon gave away. Appar then crawled towards Kailash, and soon he had many bruises on his arms and legs, but still he went on. Shiva, impressed by his devotion, appeared and fulfilled his desire. This was when he sang “Madar Pirai Kanni Yanai”. Thirunavukkarasar was elemental in reaching the essence of devotion to the royal patronage of his time, hence allowing the larger masses access to it. Travelling to various temples, he sang heart rending hymns about shiva, touching people deeply. He is known to have visited over 125 shrines scattered over a thousand miles in Southern India, and came to be known as “Appar” or father, a name fondly given to him by a younger contemporary of his, Sambandar. Follow us: Also Available on: Isha Foundation is a non-religious, not-for-profit, public service organization, which addresses all aspects of human well being. Learn more about Sadhguru
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