The Nalayiram und The Tirumurais: A Bro's Eue COmpcarcutive View Dr. N. SUBBU REDDIAR Sri Venkii teswara University, Tirupati The compositions of the Alvars and the Nāyanmärs, as we know, arc the products of the Bhakthi period approximately lasting from the sixth century to the eighth century. These compositions, at least many of them, bear close resemblances in their style, form, purport, motif, ideas and even in their uses of words, phrases and other expressions, since the two wings of Bhakti movement - one of Vaisnavism and Saivism – were contemporary and co-operative and had many close resemblances both as having their origin based on the Vedic faiths and having their main objective of routing their common enemics of Buddhism and Jainism. The leaders of both the faiths clearly saw that the popularity of their doctrines inculcated by them depended on their attracting adherents from all ranks irrespective of caste, creed and social status. Large concourses of peodle under the leadership of one gifted saint went from place to place chanting all along their way, visiting temples and offering their worship to the deity. Their joint recitation of the hymns necessitated a kind of simple chorus music in which any one can join. The pan system of music, which is peculiar to the Tamils, and in a way analogous to the music of Sāma Veda, was pressed into service. Thanks to the simultaneous and 371
