Q. Consider the following statements regarding Alvar and Nayanar saints:

1. There were 63 Nayanar and 12 Alvar saints.
2. Nayanar songs were compiled in the Divya Prabandham.

Which of the above is / are correct?
Answer: Only 1
Notes: There were 63 Nayanars, who belonged to different caste backgrounds such as potters, “untouchable” workers, peasants, hunters, soldiers, Brahmanas and chiefs. The best known among them were Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar and Manikkavasagar. There are two sets of compilations of their songs - Tevaram and Tiruvacakam. There were 12 Alvars, who came from equally divergent backgrounds, the best known being Periyalvar, his daughter Andal, Tondaradippodi Alvar and Nammalvar. Their songs were compiled in the Divya Prabandham.

This question is part of UPSC Daily 20 MCQ Series Course on GKToday Android app.