Her philosophy: She believed in the unity of God and hence sang in praise of not only Muruga, but also Rama, Krishna, Devi and others, for she believed they were all one and the same.   Her devotees came from all over the world, from many cultures, following many creeds, and would be inspired by the peace she emanated.  They would come and sit with her.  Sometimes, not a word would be spoken, but the devotees would rise from her presence in a calm frame of mind. Sometimes she would hear their stories told in different languages and would understand and say that all spiritual journeys could end only at God’s door, by whatever name one called Him and whichever path one followed.  The words she spoke were minimal, but the impact was untold. 

Many devotees would see images of other great souls in her and assume that some other souls are residing in her.  Others would ask her if she was a reincarnation of those great teachers and swamis.  She would simply smile and ask: ‘who is this you are seeing in me?  Everything is nothing but the Lord. He is the thought and he is the one who writes through me.’   As far as she was concerned, she was Pichi for her Murugan, who came to her aid many times in her life as he had promised her he would do, for He wanted to hear her sing his praises.  She remained a good wife, a good mother and grandmother to her children and grandchildren and loved them unconditionally, and that love was returned manifold. The same gentleness she showed her family, she showed to everyone who came seeking her.  She inspired one by her actions and words to have simple devotion towards God in whatever form, for that was the way to salvation in Kali Yuga.  She extolled the virtues of singing and getting immersed in Bhakti with bhajans and shlokas. 

Her Works:

Andavan Pichai’s life can best be gleaned and gauged through her songs.  They take many forms: Andadis, pathikams, Sathakams, Shlokas, Namavalis, Kannigals, Anubhuthis, Alankarams, Mummani Kovais, Kshethra Kovais, Murugan Pillai Tamil, Murugan Thirupalliizyaichi, Tiru-arutpavai, Kali-venba, Kirtanai, Kavadichindu and Kummis.  A list of books published by T.T. Pani - E.K. Vemban, Sri Raja Rajeswari Press, Andavan Pichai Bhajan Mandali and others is as follows:

  1. Sashtimala, Kumarashtagam, Sadakshara Mantra Japa and other shlokas.

  2. Shanmukha Raksha Bandhanam, Chendur Subramanya Suprapadam, Shadakshara Ashtotram, Madurai Meenakshi Navaratiri Strotiramala.

  3. Murugan Arutpavai, Tirupalli-izyaichi.

  4. Thanigai Mummani Kovai.

  5. Kumaragurupara Pillai Tamizh.

  6. Thanigai Kali-venba.

  7. Kanchi Perival Shodasamala Stuti –Kirtanai.

  8. Srimad Bhagwad Gita Bodham.

  9. Nanganallur Sri Rajarajeshwari Stotiramala

  10. Shadadara Dwachakra Kirtanai.

11.  Sri Rajarajeshwari Navamani Mala.

12.  Panchamuga Anjaneya Stuti. 

13.  Sri Vaishnavi Devi Bhajanavali.

14.  Sri Vaishnavi Arutpugazh mala.

15.  Sri Vaishnavi Anugraha Manimala.

16.  Sri Vaishnavi Vaibhava Kummi.

17.  Karpagambika Sathakam.

18.  Nataraja Pancharatna Kirtanai.

19.  Subramanya Dwadasamala Kirtanai.

20.  Sri Sadguru Sivananda Puja Aksharamala.

21.  Stotramala Kirtanai – notations by Pallavi Mahalinga Iyer.

22.  Arupadai Veedu Tirupugazh Padikam.

23.  Tiruthanigesan Idayanjali.

24.  Tirumayilai Kapali, Karpagambal Isaimala.

25.  Madurai Sri Meenakshi Sundereswara Stuti Isaimala.

26.  Sri Subramanya Stotra Ratnamala.

27.  Stuti Kathambam.

28. ‘Pujyashri Annai Andavan Pichaiin Arut Daiva vaku, Arut padalgal,’ published in 2016 by her granddaughter, Meera Prakash. This book contains her songs, kavachams, shlokas, atma bodham, charitram and a short biography.    

In the Rajarajeshwari Stotramala, each song begins with a dedication to a shloka from Lalitha Sahasranamam, which depicts the various Chakras.  The songs on Devi Sharada poured out of her in the presence of Sringeri Shankaracharya, nine in all, each one a beautiful rendering of poetry, music and rhythm, the alliteration simply flowing.

The Kanchi Kamakshi kirtanais, Sharada Kirtanamala: about 50 in all came together with musical notations in ‘Kirtanamala’ in the year 1961, with forewords by Kanchi Shankaracharya, Sringeri Shankaracharya, and Prof. Sambamurthy.