Andal, the only female Alvar, is known for her two compositions – Thiruppavai and Nachiyar Thirumozhi.

While the central theme of Thiruppavai is devotion, her composition Nachiyar Thirumozhi brims with erotic passion for the divine. This kind of Madhurya Bhakti is rather unique to the Indian Bhakti tradition and the Alvars are believed to have pioneered literature based on Viraha Bhakti.

How do we understand Andal’s love?

This video attempts to explore what her expressions of desire and longing for her divine lover mean and what inspired her to compose these poems of love!

Andal was the only female to be counted among the 12 ardent devotees of Vishnu called the Alvars.

She is credited with two works that are hailed both for their expression of devotion as well as their erotic and literary beauty – Thiruppavai and Nachiyar Thirumozhi.

This video tells the story of Andal, her pining and longing to unite with her lover lord, and the final fulfillment of her desire. The video also includes rendering of some of Andal’s verses by a trained Carnatic vocalist.