Thirumurai is a set of sacred hymns and verses composed by Shaivite saints. 
There were 63 saints, of whom 4 were prominent. They were Thiru Gnyanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Manikkavachagar.

Thevaram means ‘Beautiful Garland’. Thevarams were mostly in praise of Lord Shiva in the various temples of Tamil Nadu.  ‘Odhuvar’ is the person who recites these hymns in the temples. The odhuvar’s singing was as accompaniment to the temple rituals and rites conducted daily in the temples. Thevarams have devotional and philosophical flavour in them.

The hymns are set in Tamil ‘panns’ that are equivalent to Carnatic ragas. Champalai (Harikamboji) is  the most popular pann (raga) in  thevaram.  The structure of a thevaram is very simple.  There is only one division, unlike other songs which have three ─ i.e. pallavi, anupallavi and charanam.  Importance is given to sahitya or words; and melody takes second place.

Thevarams are set in simple talams like adi, eka, rupaka and triputa. There are thevarams which are sung for a specific purpose like for a girl to get married, general physical health, stomach problems or to acquire wealth and so on.

Some words about the four great saints.

Thiru Gnyanasambandar was a divine composer of the 6th Century.  When he was a baby, he was suckled by Goddess Parvathi.  His hymns are divine and delightful.

Thiru Navukkarasar (Appar) was also a saint composer of the 6th century and a prime apostle of Lord Siva. He led a life of devotion and service to humanity.  The composer Sundaramurty Nayanar followed them in the 8th Century to be a romantic apostle of Lord Siva. Manikkavachagar of the same Century exhorted all to sing the ecstatic joy of the Lord soaked in graceful raga.

More musical notes will flow…