The Hindu Lit For Life 2025: V. Sriram and Ashwath Narayanan inspect the audacious expressions of devotion

Explore fearless expressions of devotion through audacious and heartfelt interactions with gods in Hindu Lit for Life event.

Devotion, in its most unrestrained form, can be as audacious as it is heartfelt. Historian V. Sriram and Carnatic singer Ashwath Narayanan took us through the fearless expressions of Ninda Stuti, where saints and poets mock, provoke, and even accuse their gods to forge an intimate connection.

Also see: The Hindu Lit for Life 2025 Day 2 LIVE

Sakkiya Nayanar’s peculiar ritual of throwing stones at the Shiva Linga, interpreting it as an eccentric but deeply impactful form of worship and how Manickavasagar, in his irreverent brilliance, declares that until Shiva bestows grace upon him, he would make the Lord the laughingstock of the world — mocking him as the lunatic who swallowed poison, ripped apart an elephant, and danced in crematoriums. In another poem, Manickavasagar, playfully taunts the Lord, saying, “I gave myself to you; you gave yourself to me. Who’s the cleverer? You got nothing, but I gained everlasting bliss!” Ashwath Narayanan brought these verses to life, singing ‘Thandhadu un thannai kondadhu en thannai’ in Shanmukhapriya, capturing the profound blend of surrender and defiance.

Drawing comparisons with the present times when we could be punished for hurting religious sentiments, Sriram highlighted how these composers had the liberty to write what they wanted to.

The boldness isn’t confined to Shaivite saints; Sriram highlighted Andal’s daring accusations in Nachiyar Thirumozhi. Frustrated by Krishna’s indifference, she blames his mother, Yashoda, for raising such a lawless child.

Also read: The Hindu Lit for Life 2025 Day 1 highlights

Similarly, Purandaradasa and Kanakadasa carried forward this tradition in Kannada poetry, questioning and mocking their deities with compositions like ‘Ninnantha kande’ and ‘Bande baiyya.’