In the context of south Indian Bhakti traditions, who were the tenth century composers collectively associated with the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, a major Tamil Vaishnava devotional corpus?

Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to the history of Bhakti movements in South India. It focuses on the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, an important collection of Tamil devotional hymns. Knowing who composed this corpus helps students distinguish between Vaishnava and Shaiva traditions and understand how regional languages became vehicles for intense devotional expression.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The text in question is the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, meaning the collection of four thousand verses.
• The time frame mentioned is broadly around the tenth century.
• Options include Alvars, Nayanars, Appar and Sambandar.

Concept / Approach:
The Alvars were Tamil poet saints devoted to Vishnu and his avatars. Their hymns make up the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, which became central to Sri Vaishnava theology. In contrast, Nayanars were Shaiva poet saints devoted to Shiva, and within them, Appar and Sambandar are individual Shaiva saints. Therefore, the correct approach is to recognise that Nalayira Divya Prabandham is a Vaishnava text tied to Alvars and not to the Shaiva Nayanars or individual figures like Appar or Sambandar.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Nalayira Divya Prabandham is a collection of Tamil hymns in praise of Vishnu and his sacred places. Step 2: Identify the poet saints associated with Vishnu devotion in Tamil Bhakti as the Alvars. Step 3: Remember that Nayanars, including Appar and Sambandar, are Shaiva saints devoted to Shiva. Step 4: Match this understanding with the options and confirm that Alvars are the correct group linked to the Nalayira Divya Prabandham. Step 5: Select Alvars as the right answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Any standard account of South Indian Bhakti will quickly confirm that the Nalayira Divya Prabandham is described as the collected hymns of twelve Alvar saints. It is sometimes called the Tamil Veda of Vaishnavism. On the other hand, the corpus of Nayanar hymns, such as Tevaram, is separate and focuses on Shiva and Shaiva temples. This clear textual separation verifies that Alvars, not Nayanars or individual Shaiva saints, were the composers associated with the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Nayanars: They are Shaiva poet saints whose hymns form a different corpus, mainly the Tevaram and related works, not the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
Appar: An individual Shaiva Nayanar saint reputed for his hymns to Shiva, not a Vaishnava Alvar contributing to the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
Sambandar: Another prominent Shaiva child saint of the Nayanars, who composed devotional songs to Shiva, not to Vishnu in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes mix the two major Bhakti streams and assume that any Tamil devotional collection could belong to either Nayanars or Alvars. Another mistake is to pick a familiar name like Appar or Sambandar without considering whether the text is Vaishnava or Shaiva. To avoid this, remember a simple association: Alvars are Vaishnava saints linked to Nalayira Divya Prabandham, while Nayanars are Shaiva saints associated with Tevaram and related Shaiva hymns.

Final Answer:
The Nalayira Divya Prabandham is associated with the Vaishnava poet saints known as the Alvars.