Kanappan’s Story

Kanappan literally means, “father of the eye.” This is not Kanappan’s original name. The name his parents gave him was Thinnan. He got the name Kanappan in referance to his saintly act of devotion for which he is recognized as a nayanar.

Kanappan’s story starts with his parents. His parents were Nagan his father and Thaththai his mother. They were forest dwellers, adivasis who made their living collecting meat and plant products from the forest. Their community lived in the forest surrounding the famed Thirupathi Venkatesvara temple. This community was feared by the villagers surrounding the forests. The tribesmen occasionally stole livestock from the villagers, and any villager caught wandering in the forests would be robbed. They were also famed archers. Occasionally kings would send messengers to the tribe to recruit young men as archers for their army. Nagan was the leader of this community and he was their most accomplished archer. Nagan though famous for his archery and courage was hardly known as a pious man. However after years of being childless, he and his wife began to pray fervently to Lord Murugan for an heir. Their prayers was answered and Thathai gave birth to a son whom they named Thinnan.

When Thinnan was born, it was said, his father could not carry him because he was too heavy by virtue of some spiritual force. Thinnan grew up to be a strong young man admired by his community. He had mastered the art of archery even at a young age and became the fastest runner in his village. As Nagan was getting older, he decided that it was time for Thinnan to be the leader of the community. As a leader, one of the duties of Thinnan was to lead the annual hunting party. According to the custom of the adivasis, once a year the hunters of the adivasi communities from different parts of the forest will gather at Nagan’s village and go on a massive hunt to fill their stores with animal products. Before they go for the hunt they will pray together the night before to the nature deities for permission for the hunt and their safety. It was on such an occasion that Nagan announced to all the hunters that Thinnan is their new leader and he would lead the hunt.

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