Arutprakasa Vallalar Chidambaram Ramalinga Swamigal
Encyclopedia
Arutprakasa Vallalar Chidambaram Ramalingam (5 October 1823 – 30 January 1874), whose pre-monastic name was Ramalingam, is commonly known in India and across the world as Vallalar . He was one of the most famous Tamil Saints and also one of the greatest Tamil poets of the 19th century and belongs to a line of Tamil
saints known as "gnana siddhars
" (gnana means higher wisdom
). The Suddha Sanmarga Sangam was spread and passed on by him not only in theory
but mainly in practice by his own way of living which was itself inspiration for his followers. Through the notion of Suddha Sanmarga Sangam, the saint endeavored to eliminate the menace of caste
. According to Suddha Sanmarga, the prime aspects of human life should be love connected with charity
and divine
practice leading to achievement of pure knowledge
.
in South Arcot district
, a village 15 km north-west of Chidambaram
. Ramiah Pillai's first five wives had died childless and in quick succession. Chinnamaiar, however, bore him five children; the older ones were two sons, Sabhapati and Parasuraman, and two daughters, Sundarammal and Unnamali. They named their youngest child Ramalingam.
. It is said that this infant laughed aloud when the priest
offered the traditional Deepa aradhana
to the Lord. This apparently routine visit to the temple thus offered him his first spiritual experience as well. In later years he said of the experience,
In 1824, the very next month, his father Ramiah Pillai died. His sudden death forced a helpless Chinnamaiar to shift to the residence of her eldest son Sabhapati and his wife Parvathi at Chennai
. When Ramalingam was five years old, Sabhapati, decided to formally educate his youngest sibling Ramalingam but the young child however showed a deep disinclination towards formal education but on the other hand preferring trips to the local Kandasamy temple. Sabhapati was convinced that the child was on a self-destructive path. As a punitive measure, he forbade his wife from giving Ramalingam his daily meal. His compassionate sister-in-law, however, surreptitiously fed him food and gently prevailed upon him to pursue his studies seriously at home. Ramalingam relented on the condition that he be given a separate room of his own. Now, in the solitary confines of this room, he set up a mirror and in front of it a small, lighted lamp. With these as aids he relentlessly meditated
and this was the beginning of the young boy's spiritual journey. The first reward came in the form of a vision of Lord Muruga
. In the saint's own words:
(one who tells religious stories). It so happened that once Ramalingam had to substitute for his brother at an upanyasam
session. His brilliant exposition and uninterrupted flow of words while enunciating a verse from the `Periyapuranam' by Shaivism
an epic poem by Sekkizhar
narrating the episodes connected with the 63 Nayanars
amazed the onlookers. Later his brother also graciously acknowledged the mental and spiritual superiority of his brother. Ramalingam himself expresses his gratitude to the Divine
when he says:
to worshiping the formless. Totally averse to money, he was later on to shun food and even sleep. He renounced the world at the age of thirteen. Surprisingly he remained fit in form. A hurdle on his chosen path came in the form of a forced marriage to his sister's daughter. It is said that the bridegroom spent the nuptial night reading the Tiruvasakam
. Possibly his ability to remain in fit form was a result of his supposed physical transformation.
and the negative impact it had on society. In an attempt to redress the situation he established the `Samarasa Suddha Sanmarga Satya Sangam' in 1865, which means `Society for pure truth in universal self-hood'. He had also by this time shifted to a place called Karunguzhi
from Chennai. His next step in establishing a practical approach to religion was the setting up of a free eating house called The Sathya Dharma Salai in a place called Vadalur
in 1867, where all could eat without any distinctions whatsoever. Ramalinga Vallalar abhorred non-Vegetarianism
. In one of his poems he says:
Ramalinga Adigal opened a temple at Vadalur
on January 25, 1872, called the "Sathya Gnana Sabha
" (Hall of True Knowledge), -
One of the primary teaching of valallar is "Service
to mankind
is path of moksha
". He declared that death is not natural that our life's first priority should be to fight death. He declared religion in itself is a darkness. He laid a very great emphasis on being vegetarian. He said God is "Arul Perum Jothi" who is personification of mercy and knowledge. He said the path of compassion and mercy are only path to God.
In 1865 he established a center for feeding the poor people. On the inaugural day he lit the fire of the stone stove, with a declaration that the fire be ever alive and the needy shall be fed forever. Around 1870 he established the Sathya Gnana Sabai, hall of True Wisdom Forum and ensuring it was entirely secular . This place is not a temple
as no offerings of fruits or flowers could be made, and no blessings were given. It was open to people of all castes except those who ate meat, who were only allowed to worship from the outside. The oil lamp lit by him is kept perpetually burning. He said that our soul
is blinded by 7 seven veils. There are seven cotton fabric screens, representing the seven factors that prevent a soul from realizing its true nature.
The entire complex is bound by a chain with 21,600 links, said to represent 21,600 inhalations by a normal human being.
He said intelligence we possess is Maya intelligence which is not true and final intelligence. Path of final intelligence is "Jeeva Karunyam".
He advocated a casteless society. Vallalar was opposed to superstition
s and rituals. He forbade killing animals for the sake of food. He advocated feeding the poor as the highest form of worship. He condemned inequality based on birth.
Today there are spiritual groups spread out all over the world who practice the teachings of Swami Ramalingam and follow the path of Arul Perum Jothi. The most notable living Siddhars of this age are Sri Pranasiddhar and Sri Vadapalani Paranjothi Baba.
. At the entrance of the temple, there is a hall called Parivedan mandapam. Sculptured image of Vezhmugathu Vinayakar
in sitting and standing positions are kept on either side of the mandapam. To the front of the Artha mandapam
, there is a dwajasthambam (Flag Staff). The Mukha mandapam
is where the idols of Sarva Siddhi Vinayakar
, Meenakshi Sundareswarar, Idumban, Sri Ramalinga Swamigal, and Pamban Swamigal are found.
Beyond this state there was a subsequent transformation by which the Perfect Body transformed further into the Grace Body possessing the following attributes: This body have automatically a young appearance like that of a kid, can be seen but cant be touched, and has complete and absolute dominion over all the Siddhis.
Even beyond he State of the Grace Body supposedly there was a third and final transformation in which the Grace Body was transformed into the Bliss Body. This body is the body of the Supreme Godhead and is automatically omnipresent but cant be perceived by anyone.
By achieving this Ramalinga demonstrated that the ultimate states of spirituality can in fact be attained in this world with the physical body and death is not a necessity to experience the ultimate spiritual experience.
Adigal on January 30, 1874, entered the room and locked himself and told his followers not to open it. He said that even if they did open it they would find nothing. His seclusion spurred many rumors, and the Government finally forced the doors open in May. The room was empty, with no clues. The Madras District Gazette
er published by the South Arcot District in 1906 records his disappearance.
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
saints known as "gnana siddhars
Siddha
A Siddha सिद्ध in Sanskrit means "one who is accomplished" and refers to perfected masters who, according to Hindu belief, have transcended the ahamkara , have subdued their minds to be subservient to their Awareness, and have transformed their bodies into a different kind of body dominated by...
" (gnana means higher wisdom
Wisdom
Wisdom is a deep understanding and realization of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to apply perceptions, judgements and actions in keeping with this understanding. It often requires control of one's emotional reactions so that universal principles, reason and...
). The Suddha Sanmarga Sangam was spread and passed on by him not only in theory
Theory
The English word theory was derived from a technical term in Ancient Greek philosophy. The word theoria, , meant "a looking at, viewing, beholding", and referring to contemplation or speculation, as opposed to action...
but mainly in practice by his own way of living which was itself inspiration for his followers. Through the notion of Suddha Sanmarga Sangam, the saint endeavored to eliminate the menace of caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
. According to Suddha Sanmarga, the prime aspects of human life should be love connected with charity
Charity (virtue)
In Christian theology charity, or love , means an unlimited loving-kindness toward all others.The term should not be confused with the more restricted modern use of the word charity to mean benevolent giving.- Caritas: altruistic love :...
and divine
Divinity
Divinity and divine are broadly applied but loosely defined terms, used variously within different faiths and belief systems — and even by different individuals within a given faith — to refer to some transcendent or transcendental power or deity, or its attributes or manifestations in...
practice leading to achievement of pure knowledge
Knowledge
Knowledge is a familiarity with someone or something unknown, which can include information, facts, descriptions, or skills acquired through experience or education. It can refer to the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject...
.
Early life
Ramalinga Adigal was the youngest child of Ramiah Pillai and his sixth wife Chinnamaiar, who lived in MarudurMarudur
Marudur is a panchayat town in Karur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Demographics: India census, Marudur in Karur District, Tamil Nadu, had a population of 10,205. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Marudur has an average literacy rate of 60%, higher than the...
in South Arcot district
South Arcot
South Arcot is a former district of India, located in the state of Tamil Nadu.South Arcot was the southern portion of the Mughal province of Arcot. Arcot came under the control of a local Nawab after Mughals lost control southern India in the 18th century...
, a village 15 km north-west of Chidambaram
Chidambaram
Chidambaram is a fast growing industrial city in Eastern part of Tamil Nadu and the taluk headquarters of the Cuddalore district. It is located in 58 km from Pondicherry, 60 km from Karaikal, and 240 km south of Chennai by rail...
. Ramiah Pillai's first five wives had died childless and in quick succession. Chinnamaiar, however, bore him five children; the older ones were two sons, Sabhapati and Parasuraman, and two daughters, Sundarammal and Unnamali. They named their youngest child Ramalingam.
Notable happenings during childhood
When Ramalinga Adigal was five months old, his parents took him to the Chidambaram TempleChidambaram Temple
Thillai Natarajah Temple, Chidambaram is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in the town of Chidambaram, East-Central Tamil Nadu, South India. The temple is known as the foremost of all temples to Saivites and has influenced worship, architecture, sculpture and performance art for over two...
. It is said that this infant laughed aloud when the priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
offered the traditional Deepa aradhana
Archana (Hinduism)
Archana is a special, personal, abbreviated puja done by temple priests in which the name, birth star and family lineage of a devotee are recited to invoke individual guidance and blessings. Archana also refers to chanting the names of the Deity, which is a central part of every puja. The Sanskrit...
to the Lord. This apparently routine visit to the temple thus offered him his first spiritual experience as well. In later years he said of the experience,
"No sooner the Light was perceived, happiness prevailed on me" "The sweet nectar was tasted by me as soon as the Arutperunjothi (Supreme Grace Of Light) became visible"
In 1824, the very next month, his father Ramiah Pillai died. His sudden death forced a helpless Chinnamaiar to shift to the residence of her eldest son Sabhapati and his wife Parvathi at Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
. When Ramalingam was five years old, Sabhapati, decided to formally educate his youngest sibling Ramalingam but the young child however showed a deep disinclination towards formal education but on the other hand preferring trips to the local Kandasamy temple. Sabhapati was convinced that the child was on a self-destructive path. As a punitive measure, he forbade his wife from giving Ramalingam his daily meal. His compassionate sister-in-law, however, surreptitiously fed him food and gently prevailed upon him to pursue his studies seriously at home. Ramalingam relented on the condition that he be given a separate room of his own. Now, in the solitary confines of this room, he set up a mirror and in front of it a small, lighted lamp. With these as aids he relentlessly meditated
Meditation
Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
and this was the beginning of the young boy's spiritual journey. The first reward came in the form of a vision of Lord Muruga
Murugan
Murugan also called Kartikeya, Skanda and Subrahmanya, is a popular Hindu deity especially among Tamil Hindus, worshipped primarily in areas with Tamil influences, especially South India, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius and Reunion Island. His six most important shrines in India are the...
. In the saint's own words:
"The beauty endowed divine faces six, the illustrious shoulders twelve"His elder brother Sabhapati was a learned scholar and upanyasaka
Katha (storytelling format)
Katha is an Indian style of religious storytelling, whose performances are a ritual event in Hinduism, and often involves professional storytellers called kathavahchak or vyas, who recite the Hindu religious texts, such as the Puranas, Ramayana or Bhagavata Purana, often followed by a commentary,...
(one who tells religious stories). It so happened that once Ramalingam had to substitute for his brother at an upanyasam
Katha (storytelling format)
Katha is an Indian style of religious storytelling, whose performances are a ritual event in Hinduism, and often involves professional storytellers called kathavahchak or vyas, who recite the Hindu religious texts, such as the Puranas, Ramayana or Bhagavata Purana, often followed by a commentary,...
session. His brilliant exposition and uninterrupted flow of words while enunciating a verse from the `Periyapuranam' by Shaivism
Shaivism
Shaivism is one of the four major sects of Hinduism, the others being Vaishnavism, Shaktism and Smartism. Followers of Shaivism, called "Shaivas," and also "Saivas" or "Saivites," revere Shiva as the Supreme Being. Shaivas believe that Shiva is All and in all, the creator, preserver, destroyer,...
an epic poem by Sekkizhar
Sekkizhar
Sekkizhar was a poet and scholar of Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta, a Saiva saint contemporary with the reign of Kulothunga Chola II. He compiled and wrote the Periya Puranam , 4253 verses long,recounting the life stories of the sixty-three Shaiva Nayanars, the poets of Shiva who composed the liturgical...
narrating the episodes connected with the 63 Nayanars
Nayanars
The Nayanars or Nayanmars were Shaivite devotional poets of Tamil Nadu, active between the fifth and the tenth centuries CE...
amazed the onlookers. Later his brother also graciously acknowledged the mental and spiritual superiority of his brother. Ramalingam himself expresses his gratitude to the Divine
Divinity
Divinity and divine are broadly applied but loosely defined terms, used variously within different faiths and belief systems — and even by different individuals within a given faith — to refer to some transcendent or transcendental power or deity, or its attributes or manifestations in...
when he says:
"Effulgent flame of grace that lit in me intelligence to know untaught"As he made quantum leaps in his spiritual journey he progressed from being a devout Lord Siva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
to worshiping the formless. Totally averse to money, he was later on to shun food and even sleep. He renounced the world at the age of thirteen. Surprisingly he remained fit in form. A hurdle on his chosen path came in the form of a forced marriage to his sister's daughter. It is said that the bridegroom spent the nuptial night reading the Tiruvasakam
Tiruvasakam
Thiruvasagam is a volume of Tamil hymns composed by the ninth century Shaivite bhakti poet Manikkavacakar...
. Possibly his ability to remain in fit form was a result of his supposed physical transformation.
Teachings
He made an indelible mark in the religious history of India when he came out openly against its caste systemCaste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
and the negative impact it had on society. In an attempt to redress the situation he established the `Samarasa Suddha Sanmarga Satya Sangam' in 1865, which means `Society for pure truth in universal self-hood'. He had also by this time shifted to a place called Karunguzhi
Karunguzhi
Karunguzhi is a town in Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.- Demographics :Karunguzhi is about 2 hours drive away from Chennai ....
from Chennai. His next step in establishing a practical approach to religion was the setting up of a free eating house called The Sathya Dharma Salai in a place called Vadalur
Vadalur
Vadalur is a panchayat town in Cuddalore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.About the TownRamalinga Swamigal popularly called 'Vallalar' had established the Sathyagnana Sabhai. The "Thai Poosam" function in January is a festival of this place. The Swamigal sang thousands of songs called...
in 1867, where all could eat without any distinctions whatsoever. Ramalinga Vallalar abhorred non-Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism encompasses the practice of following plant-based diets , with or without the inclusion of dairy products or eggs, and with the exclusion of meat...
. In one of his poems he says:
When I see men feeding on the coarse and vicious food of meat, it is ever-recurring grief to me.It is significant that the land on which this eating house was built was donated by a few landowners. The registered document is available for inspection even today and the service of providing free food also continues to this day.
Ramalinga Adigal opened a temple at Vadalur
Vadalur
Vadalur is a panchayat town in Cuddalore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.About the TownRamalinga Swamigal popularly called 'Vallalar' had established the Sathyagnana Sabhai. The "Thai Poosam" function in January is a festival of this place. The Swamigal sang thousands of songs called...
on January 25, 1872, called the "Sathya Gnana Sabha
Satyagnana Sabha, Vadalur
Satyagnana Sabha or the "Temple of Wisdom" is an octagonal structure constructed by the Saivite saint Ramalinga Swamigal in the town of Vadalur in Cuddalore district. The sanctum sanctorum of this temple is concealed from the main hall by seven curtains which are parted only on Thai Poosam day...
" (Hall of True Knowledge), -
One of the primary teaching of valallar is "Service
Community service
Community service is donated service or activity that is performed by someone or a group of people for the benefit of the public or its institutions....
to mankind
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
is path of moksha
Moksha
Within Indian religions, moksha or mukti , literally "release" , is the liberation from samsara and the concomitant suffering involved in being subject to the cycle of repeated death and reincarnation or rebirth.-Origins:It is highly probable that the concept of moksha was first developed in...
". He declared that death is not natural that our life's first priority should be to fight death. He declared religion in itself is a darkness. He laid a very great emphasis on being vegetarian. He said God is "Arul Perum Jothi" who is personification of mercy and knowledge. He said the path of compassion and mercy are only path to God.
In 1865 he established a center for feeding the poor people. On the inaugural day he lit the fire of the stone stove, with a declaration that the fire be ever alive and the needy shall be fed forever. Around 1870 he established the Sathya Gnana Sabai, hall of True Wisdom Forum and ensuring it was entirely secular . This place is not a temple
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
as no offerings of fruits or flowers could be made, and no blessings were given. It was open to people of all castes except those who ate meat, who were only allowed to worship from the outside. The oil lamp lit by him is kept perpetually burning. He said that our soul
Soul
A soul in certain spiritual, philosophical, and psychological traditions is the incorporeal essence of a person or living thing or object. Many philosophical and spiritual systems teach that humans have souls, and others teach that all living things and even inanimate objects have souls. The...
is blinded by 7 seven veils. There are seven cotton fabric screens, representing the seven factors that prevent a soul from realizing its true nature.
The entire complex is bound by a chain with 21,600 links, said to represent 21,600 inhalations by a normal human being.
He said intelligence we possess is Maya intelligence which is not true and final intelligence. Path of final intelligence is "Jeeva Karunyam".
He advocated a casteless society. Vallalar was opposed to superstition
Superstition
Superstition is a belief in supernatural causality: that one event leads to the cause of another without any process in the physical world linking the two events....
s and rituals. He forbade killing animals for the sake of food. He advocated feeding the poor as the highest form of worship. He condemned inequality based on birth.
Today there are spiritual groups spread out all over the world who practice the teachings of Swami Ramalingam and follow the path of Arul Perum Jothi. The most notable living Siddhars of this age are Sri Pranasiddhar and Sri Vadapalani Paranjothi Baba.
Chennai Kandha kottam
Kandha kottam Kandaswami Temple is located at Parrys Corner in ChennaiChennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
. At the entrance of the temple, there is a hall called Parivedan mandapam. Sculptured image of Vezhmugathu Vinayakar
Ganesa
Ganesa can be:* Ganesa, alternate spelling of Ganesha, the Hindu god.* Ganesa , a genus of marine snails in the family Turbinidae....
in sitting and standing positions are kept on either side of the mandapam. To the front of the Artha mandapam
Mandapa
A mandapa in Indian architecture is a pillared outdoor hall or pavilion for public rituals.-Temple architecture:...
, there is a dwajasthambam (Flag Staff). The Mukha mandapam
Mandapa
A mandapa in Indian architecture is a pillared outdoor hall or pavilion for public rituals.-Temple architecture:...
is where the idols of Sarva Siddhi Vinayakar
Ganesa
Ganesa can be:* Ganesa, alternate spelling of Ganesha, the Hindu god.* Ganesa , a genus of marine snails in the family Turbinidae....
, Meenakshi Sundareswarar, Idumban, Sri Ramalinga Swamigal, and Pamban Swamigal are found.
Ramalinga Adigal's Literary works
- As a musician and poet, he composed 5818 poems breathing universal love and peace, compiled into 6 TirumuraigaL, which are all available today as a single book called ThiruvarutpaThiruvarutpaThiruvarutpa is a collection of Tamil devotional songs written by Ramalinga SwamigalIt is a collection of 5818 poems breathing universal love and peace, compiled into 6 TirumuraigaL, which are all available today as a single book called Tiruarutpa .- Thiruvarutpa :Arutperunjoti Arutperunjoti //1//...
(tiru-arut-pa, holy book of grace). - Another work of his is the Manumurai Kanda Vaasagam describing the life of Manu Needhi CholanManu Needhi CholanManu Needhi Cholan or Manuneedhi Cholan was a legendary Chola king believed to have killed his own son to provide justice to a Cow, following Manu Needhi or Manu's law. Legend has it that the king hung a giant bell in front of his courtroom for anyone needing justice to ring. One day, he came out...
. - Jeeva Karunya Ozhukkam
Supposed physical transformation
Perhaps one of the most notable factors of this sage is the claim that he supposedly attained a divinization of the physical body. He attained a total of 3 transformation. His first transformation was the transformation of his normal human body into the Perfect Body, between the supposed attributes of this body are total invulnerability to everything thus rendering him effectively immortal and impervious to any kind of damage as well as having the attributes of being omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient this body is apparently made of Divine Light.Beyond this state there was a subsequent transformation by which the Perfect Body transformed further into the Grace Body possessing the following attributes: This body have automatically a young appearance like that of a kid, can be seen but cant be touched, and has complete and absolute dominion over all the Siddhis.
Even beyond he State of the Grace Body supposedly there was a third and final transformation in which the Grace Body was transformed into the Bliss Body. This body is the body of the Supreme Godhead and is automatically omnipresent but cant be perceived by anyone.
By achieving this Ramalinga demonstrated that the ultimate states of spirituality can in fact be attained in this world with the physical body and death is not a necessity to experience the ultimate spiritual experience.
Ramalinga Adigal's disappearance on January 30, 1874
Ramalingar raised the flag of Brotherhood on his one room residence Siddhi Valakam in Mettukuppam on October 22. He gave his last and most famous lecture, entreating his audience to undertake a spiritual quest and look into the "nature of the powers that lie beyond us and move us," and asking them to meditate on the lighted lamp from his room, which he placed outside.Adigal on January 30, 1874, entered the room and locked himself and told his followers not to open it. He said that even if they did open it they would find nothing. His seclusion spurred many rumors, and the Government finally forced the doors open in May. The room was empty, with no clues. The Madras District Gazette
Gazette
A gazette is a public journal, a newspaper of record, or simply a newspaper.In English- and French-speaking countries, newspaper publishers have applied the name Gazette since the 17th century; today, numerous weekly and daily newspapers bear the name The Gazette.Gazette is a loanword from the...
er published by the South Arcot District in 1906 records his disappearance.
Songs
- His (ThiruvarutpaThiruvarutpaThiruvarutpa is a collection of Tamil devotional songs written by Ramalinga SwamigalIt is a collection of 5818 poems breathing universal love and peace, compiled into 6 TirumuraigaL, which are all available today as a single book called Tiruarutpa .- Thiruvarutpa :Arutperunjoti Arutperunjoti //1//...
) songs are sung in concerts and now at least 25 songs (in Thiru varuTpaa Isai Maalai) are given with swara-taala notation. - Taayagi tantaiyumai (Hamsadhwani), idu nalla tarunam (ShankaraabharanamDheerasankarabharanamDheerashankarābharanam , commonly known as Shankarābharanam, is a rāga in Carnatic music . It is the 29th Melakarta rāga in the 72 melakarta rāga system of Carnatic music....
) - Varuvar azhaitu vadi (Begada) and Thaen ena inikkum.
Some of his songs were set to music by
- Dharmapuram P Swaminathan
- Sirkazhi GovindarajanSirkazhi GovindarajanSirkazhi Govindarajan was a leading vocalist in Carnatic Music.Govindarajan, born in Sirkali in Madras Presidency) and started performing at the age of eight in Tirupurasundari Temple. His son Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram is also a Carnatic singer....
- Calcutta KS Krishnamurthy.
- Guruvayur Ponnammal
- Lalitha Seshadri, Malaiyur S Sadasivam, Premeela Gurumoorthy, Purasai Arunagiri
Important Books on Vallalar
- ThiruvarutpaThiruvarutpaThiruvarutpa is a collection of Tamil devotional songs written by Ramalinga SwamigalIt is a collection of 5818 poems breathing universal love and peace, compiled into 6 TirumuraigaL, which are all available today as a single book called Tiruarutpa .- Thiruvarutpa :Arutperunjoti Arutperunjoti //1//...
(Now Arupta Available on Wikipedia) - Aaram Thirumurai
- Annamalai University'sAnnamalai UniversityAnnamalai University is a Public University located in Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India. The university offers courses of higher education in arts, sciences and engineering.The university also provides around 380 courses under distance mode...
complete compilation of Thiruvarutpa in all six thirumurai in 10 Volumes
News
- Writ petition against Vallalar stamp rejected
- On 17.8.2007 evening Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Dr.M. Karunanidhi (Tamil: மு.கருணாநிதி) released postage stamp on Vallalar at Sir Thiagarajar Meeting Hall at 5.00 p.m.