Vallalar

Vallalar, born Ramalinga Adigal (1823–1874), was a Tamil saint-poet and social reformer from Tamil Nadu, India. He is best known for founding the Sathya Dharma Sabha and for composing the Arutpa, a collection of Tamil devotional hymns that form a central part of his spiritual legacy.

His teachings center on Arutperun Jothi, the "Light of Grace," a universal divine presence that transcends caste and sect. Vallalar argued that true religion manifests in universal compassion, nonviolence, and service to all beings. He advocated vegetarianism, care for animals, and the feeding of the hungry as essential religious obligations, reflecting his commitment to humanitarian ethics.

The Vallalar movement promoted a universalist approach to spirituality, emphasizing the oneness of God and the spiritual equality of all people. In Tamil Nadu, he founded the Sathya Dharma Sabha in the mid-19th century to spread his message and organized charitable activities, including free kitchens for the hungry and the establishment of temples and ashrams dedicated to his teachings.

Today, Vallalar is remembered as a major figure in Tamil religious literature and social reform. His Arutpa hymns continue to be recited in devotional settings, and the Vallalar movement persists through organizations, temples, and the memorial at Vadalur.