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Sundaramurthi Nayanar flourished in the 8th century. He was a great devotee of Lord Siva and one of the Tamil Samaya Acharyas (four Tamil religious Teachers). Sundarar had the Sakhya Bhava or the attitude of a friend towards the Lord and freely demanded of the Lord whatever he wanted. Sundaramurthi Nayanar was born Arurar in Thirunavalur village located in erstwhile Thirumunaippadi Nadu to Sadaya Nayanar and Isaignaniyar. His childhood name was Nambiyarurar. It is significant to note that both of his parents find a place among the 63 Nayanmars. Sundarar also known affectionately as “Thampiran Thozhan” (Comrade of Lord Shiva) and “Vanthondan” (the argumentative follower). He was a contemporary of Chola King Cheraman Perumal and Kotpuli Nayanar, both of who also figure in the 63 Nayanmars.

There is a legend associated with Sundarar’s life—that he was once an attendant of Lord Shiva at Mount Kailas with the name Alala Sundarar. When the Milky Ocean was being churned by Devas and Asuras, a deadly poison began to spread on the surface of the ocean threatening the existence of all beings. Alala Sundarar collected the poison in his hands and gave it to Lord Siva—who drank it for the protection of the world. Hence, the word Alala (for Halahala, the poison) was prefixed to his name. When Sundarar’s marriage was about to take place, Lord Shiva intervened and prevented it. In the guise of an old Brahmin he declared Sundarar to be bonded as his servant. He further said that Sundarar's grandfather, Aruran of Navalur had pledged him as a servant and had given this in writing on a palm leaf manuscript. Sundarar and those assembled for the wedding ceremony scoffed and called the ascetic a madman (piththan). When the crowd demanded the Brahmin show evidence, he told them to follow him to Thiruvennainallur where he had the original palm leaf manuscript. On reaching Thiruarudthurai temple in Thiruvennainallur, the ascetic disappeared inside the sanctum—and the Lord’s divine voice was heard saying from inside, that He had come to remind Sundarar of his previous birth as Alala Sundarar—his servant at Mount Kailas. He further told Sundarar that since he quarrelled with him, he would henceforth be known as “Vanthondan” and asked Sundarar to worship him by way of singing his praise. The document the Brahmin acetic produced read: “I, Aruran, the Adi Saivite of Tirunavalur, execute this bond of slavery with heart and soul. I and my progeny for all time to come are bond-slaves to Piththan of Tiruvennai Nellur, and we are bound to serve him by all means.” Piththan means Lord Siva who delights to be called a ‘mad man’, to exemplify the state of the highest Yogi whose behaviour resembles that of a mad man but who teaches us that there is nothing in this world worth taking notice of and indeed it is worldly men who are the mad ones. The Lord instructed Sundarar to compose a hymn starting with the word “piththan”. This resulted in his first song—Piththan Piraichudi". Since Lord Shiva stopped Sundarar’s wedding, the lord at Thiruvennainallur is called by the name “Thaduththatkonda Nathar”. After this, Sundarar travelled and visited numerous sacred sites and temples and rendered many pathigams in praise of Lord Shiva. At some sthalams, it is  believed his recitations created miracles. [URL unfurl="true"]https://www.arunachalasamudra.org/sundaramurtinayanar_life.html[/URL]