prabandham

Prabandham, or prabandha, is a genre of medieval Indian literature comprising narrative compendia that recount the deeds of kings, saints, and sacred places. The term derives from the Sanskrit prabandha, meaning a matter, record, or narrative. Prabandhas typically blend history, legend, and hagiography, weaving genealogies, pilgrimage routes, and local lore into a cohesive frame. The genre flourished from roughly the 7th to 15th centuries and appears in several languages, including Sanskrit, Prakrit, Tamil, Kannada, Gujarati, and Marathi, across Jain, Hindu, and Buddhist traditions.

In Tamil literature, prabandham also designates a form of devotional narrative poetry. The Nalayira Prabandham, a collection of about 1000 Tamil hymns attributed to the Alvars, is the most celebrated example. Traditionally dated to the 9th–11th centuries and organized for liturgical use by Nathamuni, the work became a cornerstone of Tamil Vaishnavism and the Tamil religious canon, informing temple rituals and later poetic activity.

Notable Sanskrit prabandhas include the Prabandha-Chintamani by Merutunga (14th century) and various court chronicles that interweave royal lineages with miracles and saintly legends. Such works often served to commemorate temples or lineages, legitimize rulers, or promote religious geographies by linking sacred sites with mythic histories.

Scholars study prabandhas for literary, historical, and religious insights, noting their role in preserving local histories, shaping regional identities, and transmitting devotional traditions across centuries.