Madhurakavi Alvar | |
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| Born | April 25, 8th century[1][circular reference] Thirukollur |
| Religion | Hinduism |
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| Philosophy | Vaishnava Bhakti |
| Religious career | |
| Literary works | Kanninun Cirutampu |
| Part of a series on |
| Vaishnavism |
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Madhurakavi Alvar was one of the twelve Alvars saints of South India, who are known for their affiliation to Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. The verses of the Alvars are compiled as the Naalayira Divya Prabandham and the 108 temples revered are classified as Divya Desams. Madhurakavi is considered to be the sixth in the line of the twelve Alvars. He was the disciple of Nammalvar, considered to be the greatest among the twelve Alvars, his contributions amounting to 11 among the 4000 stanzas in the Naalayira Divya Prabandam. Madhurakavi is believed to have recorded and compiled the works of Nammalvar, the Tiruvaymoli (1102 verses). The 11 verses of Kanninun Cirutampu composed by Madhurakavi Alvar may be considered to be the inspiration for the 4000 verses of Naalayira Divya Prabandham. These verses were chanted by Nathamuni 12,000 times to propitiate Nammalvar and re-obtain the lost Naalayira Divya Prabandham from Nammalvar.
As per Hindu legend, Nammalvar remained speechless from his birth sitting in a tamarind tree and he first interacted with Madhurakavi, who saw a bright light shining to the south, and followed it until he reached the tree where the boy was residing. The works of Madhurakavi along with the other Alvars contributed to the philosophical and theological ideas of Vaishnavism. The verses of Madhurakavi and other Alvars are recited as a part of daily prayers and during festive occasions in several Vishnu temples in Tamil Nadu.