Work

தரபபகழல இடமபறம வழககச சறகள / Vernacular Words used in Thiruppukazh

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: “Tiruppukazh” is a noteworthy work of worship along “Tirukkural” and “Tirumantiram” in the Tamil literature. As the saying goes, "Sandam belongs to Arunagiri" - Arunagirinathar was the poet who composed these resonant hymns in rhythmic verse (sandam kavi) to devotedly praise Lord Saravanabhava (Murugan). One must study “Tiruppukazh” to appreciate the exquisite beauty of classical Tamil (Senthamizh) and to understand the divine grace and splendour of Lord Muruga. This hermeneutic parallels Nakkeerar’s “Tirumurukarruppadai” and guides devotees toward spiritual liberation depicting Murugan’s majestic presence in his six sacred abodes (Arupadaiveedu). Arunagirinathar’s “Tiruppukazh” praises Murugan’s glory in these six holy sites and celebrates his omnipresent divine presence across India and Eelam. Literary works serve as cultural archives by capturing the linguistic, environmental and socio-cultural features of their time. This study examines the non-Tamil vernacular terms (Vazhakku Sol) used in “Tiruppukazh” by analyzing their semantic evolution and usage. The research employs textual analysis to decode Arunagirinathar’s lexical usage by revealing the connections between devotional and medieval Tamil linguistics. Further, it investigates how Arunagirinathar’s work preserves historical vernacular words while contributing to literary and religious identity. This paper also places “Tiruppukazh” as a spiritual masterpiece and a linguistic resource and offers deeper insights into the cultural and devotional practices of 15th-century Tamil Nadu.
Author: ச. கண்ணம்மாள் / S. Kannammal
Language: English
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6930642970
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