Which of the following statements is/are not correct about Bhakti tradition in South India ? 1. Earliest Bhakti movements in India were led by Alvar and Nayanar saints 2. Nalayira Divyaprabandham, frequently described as Tamil Veda is an anthology of compositions by the Alvars 3. Karaikkal Ammaiyar, women Alvar saints, supported patriarchal norms Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The Bhakti movement in South India was pioneered by the Alvars (Vaishnava) and Nayanars (Shaiva) between the 6th and 9th centuries [2]. Statement 1 is correct as they are recognized as the earliest Bhakti groups. Statement 2 is also correct; the 'Nalayira Divyaprabandham' is a major anthology of the 12 Alvars, often revered as the 'Tamil Veda' to equate its significance with the Sanskrit Vedas [1]. Statement 3 is incorrect. Karaikkal Ammaiyar was a Nayanar (Shaiva) saint, not an Alvar. Furthermore, she did not support patriarchal norms; instead, she challenged them by adopting extreme asceticism and renouncing her physical beauty to serve Shiva, thereby subverting traditional feminine roles. Since the question asks for the 'not correct' statement, only statement 3 fits.

Sources

1. [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > 9.6 Tamil Devotionalism > p. 130
2. [1] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Bhakti-Sufi Traditions > 2.2 Attitudes towards caste > p. 144