ABC Audio Samapti Suprabhatam Reflections on South: Reflections on South Indian Bhakti Tradition in Literature and Art

The book is in two parts dealing with the sacred hymns of the Alvars and Nayanmar; rooted in the Vedas, the Itihasas, the Gita and the Sahasranamas of Visnu and Siva. The first part presents the Roman transcription and English translation of the holiest of the hymns, the Tiruppavai and Tiruvempavai. The second part is on "Morphological Riddles and Mythological Setting" of the Alvars hymns, and historical reflections on the 'Divyadesas" (Sacred Geography) of Visnuism in the Kaviri delta. The book includes an historical introduction on the bhakti cult. Rooted in the 'Bhagavata' or Vrsni-vira worship, the bhakti adumbrated by the Alvars and the Nayanmar (6th-9th century CE) had a tremendous impact over the course liturgical literature, temple building and the temple arts, sculpture and painting through the ages in South and Southeast Asia. Fourth and fifth chapters elaborately deal with the Tamil Veda, the 'Nalayiram' in the context of the ideas aired in second and third chapters. The annexures on Visnusahasranama and Sivasahasranama pinpoint their art historical relevance.