INTRODUCTION: 
Siva Prakasar was a poet, Shiva devotee and a Shaivite saint who lived during the 17th century AD. He was also known as 'Thurai mangalam Sivaprakasar'. He had contributed lot of texts in Tamil, among them is the greatest text Nanneri, a work which contains teachings. He is a great poet and translated other language texts into Tamil texts. He wrote a Tamil poem “Neerotta Yamaha Anthathi”, which is considered as a best poem among the scholars and the common people.
LIFE
Sivaprakasar was born in Kanchipuram into a Shaivite Tamil Desikar family. He learnt Tamil under Valliyur Thambiran at Thirunelveli. Sivaprakasa Swamigal traveled throughout Tamil Nadu and during his travel he met Santhalinga Swamigal, and visited Mailam Murugan Temple along with him. Siva prakasa Swamigal met his guru Sivagnaana Balaya Swamigal at mailam and became his best disciple. And he was given the name of ‘Sivanuputhichelvar’ by his guru, due to his great efficiency in Tamil literature and in penning beautiful poems on Lord Shiva. He had written a poem in praise of his guru “Sivagnaana Balaya Swamigal”, along with the poems on Lord Shiva.
Then he traveled to Thurai mangalam and met a pious Shiva devotee Annamalai reddiyar and stayed with him. With his help, he built mutts in many areas of Thurai mangalam, for worshiping Lord Shiva and also for providing food to the poor devotees of Lord Shiva. He worshiped the most famous Virudhagireeshwarar Temple, at Virudhachalam.
He attained SALVATION in Nallathur nearby Pondicherry at the age of 32. He is still remembered for his contribution to the Shaivism and for his greatest Tamil works, and for his social service to the people.
IMPORTANT WORKS
1. Tiruchendil Neerotta Yamaha Anthathi
2. Nanneri
3. Thiruvengai Kalambagam
4. Thiruvengai Kovai
5. Thriuvengai Ula
6. Thiruvengai Alangaram
7. Thirukoova Puranam
8. Seekalathi Puranam
9. Periyanayaki Ammai Kalithurai
IMPORTANCE
He lived a pious and a noble life, and dedicated his entire life towards spreading the principles of Shaivism, and also done lot of welfare activities to the poor people and to the Shiva devotees. He had performed many miracles in the life of his devotees through his meditative powers, and was worshiped by the people for his high spiritual power and kindness. He contains great wisdom, courage and boldness and was an expert in Hindu scriptures, and was a well-versed poet. He got great knowledge in Tamil, and wrote lot of Tamil devotional texts, and also gave devotional lectures to the people.
Let us worship the great saint and be blessed.
“OM SREE SIVA PRAKASA SWAMIGALE NAMAHA”
“OM NAMAH SHIVAYA”
“OM SAKTHI PARASAKTHI”
SENT BY
R.HARISHANKAR
