A Study Focusing on the Performing Arts Traditions of the Bhakti Literature of the Pallava Period

பல்லவர்கால நிகழ்த்துகைக் கலை மரபுகள்;: பக்தி இலக்கியங்களை மையப்படுத்திய ஆய்வு

Abstract

The trajectory of the development of performing arts in Tamil history has evolved through various forms across different periods. This study focuses on only one stage of this developmental trajectory. It centers on the Tamil land and the Pallava period that prevailed in the Tamil land. Specifically, the period from 600 CE to 900 CE is historically defined as the era ruled by the Pallava kings. This period was a time when Saivism and Vaishnavism, opposing the Jain and Buddhist religions, flourished. This study examines the arts that prevailed during this period, particularly focusing on the performing arts such as dance (eldkam), drama (ehlfkam), and music (ir).
The Pallava Period: Bhakti
Known as the devotional period, during the Pallava era, around thirty-three Nayanmars (Saivite saints) and twelve Alvars (Vaishnavite saints) created numerous Bhakti literature. Among these devotional literatures, eighteen are found in Saivism and twelve in Vaishnavism. These literatures extensively discuss various aspects related to the performing arts. This study presents the performance traditions that were employed in the Bhakti literature.