Nandanar

Nandanar story is the embodiment of our life itself... The slum where Nandan dwells is no more than our great body. The name of slum itself obviously takes us to an aura of unsanitary condition. Correspondingly, our body contains flesh and blood only. These unsightly things are covered by skin. The Atman, Chythanyam is Nandan and it strives to attain its master Paramathma.During this attempt like Nandanar it encounter lot of difficulties and great jeevathmas reach the lord like Nandanar..

Nandanar Charitram

The simple lyrics of Nandanar songs are penned by the great contemporary composer, Gopalakrishna Bharathi and are set in soulful ragas which makes it a listener’s delight. His songs have immortalized Nandanar’s story.
And now for his famous songs,
1.“Sivaloga Nadhanaik Kandu Sevithidivom Vareer”– where Nandanar gathers his people to worship Lord Shiva.
2.“Vazhi maRaiththirukkudhE malaipOlE oru mADu paDuththirukkudhE” - This bull, the size of a mountain, is lying there and blocking my view of the Lord, sung when Nandanar visits Tiruppungoor while standing outside the temple premises. This song is moving while Nandanar sings “thEraDiyil ninRu dharisiththAlum pOdhum kOvil varamAttEn ayyE” (It is enough if I see the Lord from the place where the temple chariot is parked; I need not enter the temple)..
3.Unable to stand this, the Cosmic Lord orders Nandi, the bull to move (“Satre vilagi irum piLLAy—just move a bit, my son!), lest Nandanar, an ardent devotee, should get angry..
4.Nandanar’s incessant pining to visit Chidambaram --“Chidambaram pOgAmal iruppEnO?” – Shall I spend my lifetime here without visiting Chidambaram?) and his daily ranting that he will visit Chidambaram “tomorrow”.
5.“VaruvArO varam tharuvArO endhan manadhu sanchalikkudhaiyyE” where he is patiently waiting everyday for the Lord’s order — (Will He appear and give me the boon?)
6.“Uththaran thaarum aiye – Enakkoruvarumillai Paragadhiadaya” – Where Nandanar seeks permission from his landlord to go to Chidambaram..
7.”VarugalAmO Ayya, Nan Undhan Arugil Nindru Kondadavum Padavum – Ange”- At Chidambaram, Nandhanar asks Lord Natraja whether he could enter the temple.
8.“Kanda Mani Aduthu – Adhaik Kandu Pinivaduthu” – when Nandanar arrives at the border of Chidambaram..
9.“Enneneramum Undhan Sannidhiyile Nan Irruka Vendum Ayya , Ponayya” – Upon reaching Chidambaram, Nandanar longs to be with the Lord..
10.“Iyye Metha Kadinam” – where Nandhanar responds to his Landlord’s requests him to be his preacher..

Nandanar

Nandanar was a Paraiah (untouchable) by caste. He was born in Adanoor in the Chola kingdom. He was an embodiment of humility and devotion. Lord Siva was his sole refuge. He would often visit the holy places of pilgrimage, and supply leather drums and such other musical instruments for the temples. When he went near the temples, he always remained outside and worshipped the Lord mentally.
Once he had a desire to have Darshan of the Lord at Tirupunkur. He was also eager to do some service to the Lord there. He went to Tirupunkur and stood in front of the temple. He was grieved because Nandi which is always right in front of the Lord was hiding Him. Nandanar prayed to the Lord fervently. The Lord was highly pleased with his devotion and asked Nandi to move a little so that Nandanar might have His Darshan. Even today, at Tirupunkur, Nandi is leaning to one side! Nandanar had a delightful Darshan of the Lord. After digging a tank near the temple he returned to Adanoor.
The desire now arose in him that he should go to Chidambaram and have Darshan of Lord Nataraja. The love of the Lord had grown so intense that he would shed tears of love and tell his companions: ‘I will surely go to Chidambaram tomorrow.‘ This expression earned for him the name Tiru Nalai Povar (one who would go tomorrow). One day he actually left his place and went to Chidambaram. He went round the village and, thinking of his low birth, did not want to enter it. He prayed: ‘Oh Lord, I want to see your Cosmic Dance in Your Nritya Sabha. But, how can I? On account of my low birth they will not allow me to enter the temple.’ For days he went on praying like this. The Lord, pleased with his devotion, appeared in his dream and said: ‘Oh noble soul, do not grieve. You will come to Me. Take a fire bath. Then come to My Kanaka Sabha along with the Brahmins.’ Nandanar woke up and was highly pleased. At the same time, the Lord appeared before the Brahmins of Tillai, in their dream, and said: ‘O Brahmins, My dearest devotee, Tiru Nalai Povar, has come to Tillai. Prepare a sacred fire. Nandanar will take bath in it and then come to Me.’
The next day, the Brahmins prepared the sacred fire. They went to Nandanar, prostrated before him and related their dream. Nandanar went round the fire, and with His Name on his lips and his mind fixed on the lotus feet of the Lord, he jumped into the fire. He emerged from the fire with a new holy body, with sacred ashes smeared all over, the holy thread and matted locks. He was then taken inside the temple. In the Kanaka Sabha, he worshipped the Lord. He went into a divine ecstasy and was completely absorbed in the dance of the Lord. A dazzling light was seen in the room, and Nandanar had disappeared. He had become one with Lord Nataraja.