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The Tiruppugal (Tamil language: திருப்புகழ், Thiruppugazh, IPA/Tamil: , meaning 'Holy Praise' or 'Divine Glory'), sometimes spelled Thiruppugazh, is a 14th-century anthology of Tamil religious songs dedicated to Murugan (Kartikeya), the son of Shiva, written by the poet-saint Arunagirinathar (Tamil: அருணகிரிநாதர், , ). The anthology is considered one of the central works of medieval Tamil literature, both for its poetical and musical qualities, and for its religious, moral and philosophical content.
The worship of Murugan has strong roots in Tamil Nadu. According to Tamil legends, Murugan was the brave warrior who defeated the powerful demon Soorapadman, and was seen as being the epitome of youth, compassion and beauty. Arunagirinathar's songs build on this tradition, hailing Murugan as the source of all knowledge, who even gave saintly advice to his father, Shiva. Murugan is described as being full of love and compassion. Arunagirinathar says in the Thiruppugazh the songs will, by the grace of Murugan, convey the pearls of devotion and wisdom. The songs contain philosophical musings on God, expressed in simple terms, placing particular emphasis on the role of God's grace or mercy in helping the individual deal with the troubles and ills that afflict humanity. The songs also deal with issues of morality and living a virtuous life on Earth, with many exhorting people to seek true happiness in God.
The Thiruppugazh makes extensive and deliberate use of the imagery associated with the Sangam landscape of classical akam poetry. The usage is not, however, straightforward. Whereas akam poetry uses the imagery in the context of secular, sensuous love, the Thiruppugazh uses the same imagery in the context of the longing of the individual for God. The imagery used in the following verse is illustrative of this usage:
The reference to Narikurava and hills, and the imagery of the bees making honey from scarlet flowers, are characteristic of the landscape. In secular poetry, the image of bees entering flowers symbolises the clandestine union of lovers, and the backdrop of the hills calls to mind the raw forces of nature. The union which Arunagirinathar uses this to symbolise, however, is that of the soul with God, and the imagery specifically calls to mind the legend of Murugan's wooing of Valli, the daughter of a Kurava chief. This appropriation of secular imagery to religious purposes is characteristic of the Thiruppugazh: just as it call people to turn from hedonistic pleasures to a life centred on God, it turns the language formerly used to celebrate carnal love to celebrate God. This was popularised by the Hindu Sadhu Vallimalai Shri Sachchidananda Swamigal.
"Born in the Madras Presidency in the mid-1800s, Vadakkupattu Subramaniya Pillai served as a district judge. On one occasion, while traveling to Chidambaram, he was captivated by the singing of Arunagirinathar's Tiruppugal hymns. This inspired him to undertake the task of compiling the Tiruppugal songs. To accomplish this, he traveled throughout South India in 1871, collecting manuscripts and handwritten copies, and published Arunagirinathar's songs in two volumes. These were released as the first edition in 1894 and the second edition in 1901.
After the passing of Vadakkupattu Subramaniya Pillai, his son, V.S. Chengalvaraya Pillai, continued his work. He dedicated himself to writing a comprehensive commentary on the Tiruppugal, complete with research notes. He devoted seven years, from 1950 to 1958, to this task and published the resulting books."
This was also composed in a simple Bhajan tune with no influence from Carnatic music by Karaikudi S.P. Meyyapan.
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