Kannappa is a legendary figure in South Indian folklore, widely celebrated for his devotion to the Hindu god Shiva.[1] His story documented in the Periya Puranam, a12th-century Tamil hagiography. Kannappa, originally a hunter and called as Thinnan became renowned for offering his eyes to a Siva Lingam as an act of ultimate devotion. Before he could sacrifice both eyes, Shiva appeared and stopped him.[2] [3]
Kannappa was born as Thinnan[4] into a hunter family from the south India.[5] .[6] [7]
Kannappa's devotion to Shiva began when he discovered the Vayu Linga of the Srikalahasteeswara Temple while hunting in the forest. Unaware of traditional rituals, he offered Shiva whatever he could, including water from his mouth and meat from his hunts. These acts, while unconventional, were accepted by Shiva due to the hunter's sincerity and pure heart.[8] [9]
According to legend, Kannappa once noticed that the Siva Lingam was bleeding from one of its eyes. Without hesitation, he plucked out one of his own eyes and placed it on the lingam to stop the bleeding. When the other eye of the lingam began to bleed, Kannappa prepared to offer his remaining eye. To ensure he could correctly place his eye, he marked the spot with his foot. Moved by this act of devotion, Shiva appeared and stopped him, restoring his sight and granting him liberation.[10]
Kannappa's devotion is revered in Tamil Shaivite traditions, and his story is documented in the Periya Puranam, a 12th-century Tamil hagiography of the 63 Nayanars.[11] He is venerated as a symbol of devotion in Shaivism, and his life continues to inspire worshippers.
Kannappa is portrayed, along with other devotees, in the thousand-pillar corridor of the Meenakshi temple in Madurai.[12]
Kannappa's life has been depicted in several Indian films across different languages.
| 1938 | Kannappa Nayanar | Tamil | V. N. Sundaram | [13] | |
| 1954 | Bedara Kannappa | Kannada | Dr. Rajkumar | ||
| 1954 | Kalahasti Mahatyam | Telugu | Dr. Rajkumar | ||
| 1955 | Shiv Bhakta | Hindi | Shahu Modak | ||
| 1976 | Bhakta Kannappa | Telugu | Krishnam Raju | ||
| 1988 | Shiva Mecchida Kannappa | Kannada | Shiva Rajkumar, Puneeth Rajkumar (younger version) | ||
| 2025 | Kannappa | Telugu | Vishnu Manchu | [14] |