Karaikkal-Ammaiyar

This is a ‘portrait’ sculpture of the Saiva poet-saint Karaikkal-Ammaiyar (‘Mother of Karaikkal’). She devoted her life to composing and singing hymns in praise of Shiva, and her example of selfless devotion to her god had a profound influence on popular devotional Hinduism.

Born in the 6th century to a wealthy merchant family in the port city of Karaikkal, Karaikkal-Ammaiyar was blessed with great beauty. She married young, but after a series of miracles dedicated her life solely to Shiva. She achieved her emaciated state after beseeching Shiva to free her from her all worldly encumbrances, including her beauty.

Shiva granted her wish, transforming her into the form of one of the skeletal spirits who dance before Shiva at the cremation grounds. Karaikkal-Ammaiyar spent her days as an emaciated figure singing Shiva’s praise, accompanied only by her hand cymbals.