Pattinattar, also known as Pattinathar, was a Shaivaite saint, spiritual leader and a Tamil poet. He resided at Kaverippumpattinam during the 10th or 11th century AD. Pattinattar composed several devotional hymns and verses that were incorporated in the 11th Caivattirumuraikal or Chaivathirumuraikkal. Some of his most renowned poetic works of Tamil literature include Tirukkalumala Mummanik Kovai, Tiruvorriyur Orupa Orupatu, Koyil Nanmanimalai, Tiruvekampamutaiyar Tiruvantati and Tiruvitaimarutur Mummanikkovai. The poems in the literary Tamil works comprises of poetic excellence that fascinate and enthrall the mind of readers. The hymns and verses are composed in the akaval metre and are well known for its composition and its lucidity, effortless and uncomplicated readability and presentation.
Pattinattar (Pattinathar), the Shaivaite poet saint followed a basic principle that every individual should perform their general duties well, bearing always in mind the thought of God. According Pattinattar, by keeping the mind in tune with the Lord, a person neither loses his family life nor the life in the spirit.
Early Life of Pattinattar
The Tamil poet saint Pattinattar was born to Shivanesa Chetty and Gnanakalai. His father used to be a trader in the region of Tiruvidaimarudur, in Thanjavur district. Pattinattar was born as Swetharanyar, named after a soubriquet of Lord Shiva at the temple of Swetharanyeswarar. The Shaiva saint was also popularly known as Thiruvenkadar. Pattinattar himself was a wealthy trader and fed many devotees of Shiva regularly. He was married at the age of 16, to the daughter of another trader named Shivasithamparam Chettiyar and his wife Shivakamy. His wife was known as Shivakalai. It is widely believed that even after 15 years of marriage, the couple had no children.
Poetic Works of Pattinattar
Pattinattar composed several devotional works devoted to Lord Shiva, which are Tiruvitaimarutur Mummanikkovai, Tiruvekampamutaiyar Tiruvantati, Koyil Nanmanimalai, Tiruvorriyur Orupa Orupatu and Tirukkalumala Mummanik Kovai. Another renowned work by the Tamil author is titled Pattinatuppillaiyar Pataltirattu. This literary work comprises of mostly devotional poems and has gained much popuklarity amongst the Tamil people. The verses contained in the poetic collection are composed in a simple and lucid way with easy readability; thus it is easily understood by the general people. The verses in the Tamil anthology series are renowned for their plain and simple style and appropriate expression of emotions.
To increase the emotional appeal in the verses, some colloquial and informal terms have also been utilised generously. The announcement of Pattinattar (Pattinathar) against family life and his disapproval and censure of worldly life are clearly expressed in most of the hymns in the poetic collection. Some of the poignant poems composed by the poet were on the topic of the death of his mother, which portrays his deep affection towards his mother. Legends and tales related to Pattinattar narrates about the stern and austere life that he lived, which are also evident in the lines of his devotional verses. Pattirakiriyar was a disciple of Pattinattar, who also attained salvation and fame. His poems were compiled under the title Pattirakiriyar Pulampal.
