Kalugasalamoorthy Temple (Kalugumalai Murugan temple),
Kalugumalai, Thoothukudi – Literary Mention
Annamalai
Reddiyar of Chennimalai, in Tirunelveli district (1865 – 1890 / 1891), an
ardent devotee, has composed the 'Kavadi Chindu,' one of the forms of light
compositions in Tamil, in praise of Lord Kalugasalamoorthy. ‘Chindu’ means a
couplet or poem in Tamil set to a particular meter. Kavadi Chindu, a kind of
folk song is sung by ardent Muruga devotees as they carry the ‘Kavadi’ to
Muruga temples, typically located up on the hillocks, to ease out some of the
strain and physical exhaustion resulting from the journey.
The
stanzas are highly popular for its simplicity, rhymes, musical
rhythm and melody. The poet also has set to music in ragas like Sindhu
Bhairavi, Chakravaham, Ananda Bhairavi, etc. He has also compiled the Thalapuranam
(Mythological history). Opposite to Kalugasalamoorthy temple there is a small
palace which served as local residence of Raja of Ettayapuram.
