There were 63 Nayanars belonging to different castes- potters, peasants, 'untouchable', hunters, soldiers, Brahmanas etc. The best known were Manikkavasagar, Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar. Their songs are compiled in Tevaram and Tiruvacakam.
There were 12 Alvars from divergent backgrounds. The most known were Periyalar, his daughter Andal ana Nammalvar. Their songs were compliled in Divya Prabandham.