The tradition of singing the Thirumurais to the accompaniment of the Yazh, an ancient Tamil stringed instrument, has a history stretching back more than a thousand years. During the 7th century CE, Thiruneelakanta Yazhpanar and his wife, Mathanga Choolamaniyar, accompanied Thirugnanasambandar on his pilgrimages. While Yazhpanar set Sambandar’s divine Pathigams to music on his Yazh, his wife sang them, enriching the great tradition of Tamil devotional music. How heartening it is to see this ancient musical heritage being kept alive even today! Here is a beautiful rendition of a verse from the Mootha Thirupathigam of Karaikal Ammaiyar, one of the earliest and most revered Shaiva saints. A wonderful reminder of the remarkable continuity of our Tamil Shaiva devotional traditions! கொங்கை திரங்கி நரம்பெ ழுந்து குண்டுகண் வெண்பற் குழிவ யிற்றுப் பங்கி சிவந்திரு பற்கள் நீண்டு பரடுயர் நீள்கணைக் காலோர் பெண்பேய் தங்கி யலறி யுலறு காட்டில் தாழ்சடை எட்டுத் திசையும் வீசி அங்கங் குளிர்ந்தன லாடும் எங்கள் அப்ப னிடந்திரு ஆலங் காடே Hope the age old temple tradition is revived in the temples of Tamilakam. (Video received through WhatsApp.)