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VOL. 11, ISSUE 1 (2026)
The concept of Interiority (Akam) in bhakti literature
Authors
Dr. Kamaraj S
Abstract
A profound structural shift marks the
evolution of South Indian devotional expression: the adaptation of Classical
Sangam poetic conventions into the spiritual landscape of the Bhakti movement.
This paper examines the transformation of Akam (interior/love)
poetics—originally intended to convey the nuances of human clandestine and
marital love—into a theological framework for divine communion. In ancient
Tamil literature, Akam defined the "inner world," focusing on the
psychological states of lovers categorized by five distinct landscapes
(Thinai). Bhakti poets, specifically the Alvars and Nayanmars, repurposed these
secular motifs to articulate the soul’s yearning for the Divine. This
transition represents a "sacralization of the erotic," where the
human protagonist is replaced by the devotee, and the hero by the Deity.
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Pages:87-89
How to cite this article:
Dr. Kamaraj S "The concept of Interiority (Akam) in bhakti literature". International Journal of Advanced Research and Development, Vol 11, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 87-89
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