Friday, August 7, 2026 · 天火 · tianmu.org
Tamil Saiva and Siddhar Traditions
Tamil Saiva, Siddhar, Tevaram, Pattinathar, Sivavakkiyar, and related Hindu devotional materials moved out of the non-sectarian Tamil literary shelf.
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Texts
Paththirakiriyar — The Lament of True Knowledge231 verses of longing for liberation by Tamil Siddhar poet Paththirakiriyār — each verse ending with the refrain 'when?' — first complete English translation from Classical TamilPattinathar — The Three-Jeweled Garland of TirukazhumalaTwelve devotional poems by the Siddhar saint Pattinathar in praise of Shiva at Tirukazhumala (Sirkali), cycling through three classical Tamil verse-meters. First complete English translation.Sivavakkiyam — The Words of SivavakkiyarThe complete Sivavakkiyam — 524 iconoclastic mystical verses by the Tamil Siddhar saint Sivavakkiyar, challenging caste, temple ritual, and Vedic authority while singing the direct inner experience of the Lord.Songs of the Seven SiddhasFirst-ever English translation of an anthology of seven Tamil Siddha mystics — antinomian poets who burned the scriptures and found God within the bodyTevaram — Current Translation DossierCurrent public Tevaram translation dossier, consolidating the formerly separate Tamil Saiva part and volume chunks into one honest reader-facing page.The Holy Songs of PattinatharFirst complete English translation of Pattinathar's Tiruppatal Tirattu — 204 verses of radical renunciation poetry by the naked saint of Kaveripattinam, plus four temple verse compositions. Tamil Siddha tradition, c. 10th–11th century CE.The Lament of True KnowledgeFirst-ever English translation of Paththirakiriyar's Meynjānap Pulampal — 231 verses of Tamil Siddha mystical poetry. Each verse asks 'when?' — when will the seeker attain liberation. Good Works Translation from Classical Tamil.The Temple Garlands of PattinatharFirst-ever English translation of five temple garland poems by Pattinathar, the naked saint of Kaveripattinam. Devotional verse-wreaths for five sacred Tamil temple towns, composed in the elaborate mummaṇikkōvai, tiruvandādi, and tōkai forms.