Persons in News: Saint Sundarar
Context:
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced the repatriation of three historic Indian bronzes from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in the United States.
The repatriated artefacts include:
A Chola-period Shiva Nataraja dating to circa 990 CE,
A 12th-century Somaskanda (Shiva and Uma),
And a 16th-century Vijayanagara-period sculpture of Sundarar with Paravai.
These sacred bronzes, originally from temples in Tamil Nadu, had been illegally removed from India during the mid-20th century.
About Saint Sundarar
Sundarar, also known as Sundaramoorthy Nayanar, was one of the most prominent saints among the 63 Nayanars of Tamil Shaivism.
He lived during the 8th century in present-day Tamil Nadu and was an important figure of the Bhakti movement devoted to Lord Shiva.
His devotional hymns form part of the sacred Thevaram literature, which is central to the Shaiva Siddhanta tradition.
Sundarar’s compositions are known for their lyrical beauty, emotional depth, and intimate relationship with Lord Shiva.
Unlike many devotional saints, Sundarar addressed Shiva as a friend and companion, giving his hymns a deeply personal and conversational tone.
His hymns reflect themes such as:
Divine love,
Human emotions,
Spiritual devotion,
And Shiva’s grace.
Sundarar also composed the “Tiruthondar Thogai,” a hymn dedicated to the 63 Nayanars, highlighting the importance of devotion in Tamil Shaivism.
His works continue to be sung in Shiva temples across Tamil Nadu and remain an important part of Tamil devotional literature and spiritual heritage.