The first கீர்த்தனைகள் were composed by முத்துத்தாண்டவர், அருணாசலக்கவிராயர், and மாரிமுத்தாபிள்ளை in the 16th and 17th centuries A.D.. This section of the lesson focuses on முத்துத்தாண்டவர் who historically preceded the other two composers. It begins with a rendition of of one of Muthuthandavar’s famous compositions glorifying Lord Natarajar of Chindambaram . This is followed by details about his personal background and his musical background. An important part of his life that is highlighted is his living as an outcaste because of an incurable affliction until a miraculous event transformed him and his life.

The story of how தாண்டவர், as he was originally known, came to be called முத்துத்தாண்டவர், because of the pearly glow on his face after he was offered food by Goddess Parvathi in the guise of a little girl, is narrated. Also told is his pilgrimage to Chidambaram as per divine instruction, his composing his first கீர்த்தனை to Lord Nataraja and being cured of his terrible affliction.

It is estimated that முத்துத்தாண்டவர் who lived up to 80 years had composed several hundred கீர்த்தனைகள் of which only 85 are available today. Of these, 60 songs address the Lord directly while the remaining 25 sing to Him as a beloved. A special feature of Muthuthandavar’s compositions on Lord Nataraja is the use of the rhythmic sound patterns or தாளம் used in dance, to reflect the eternal rhythm of the Lord’s feet resonating in his heart. Another distinct feature is the arrangement of sounds to construct unusual lyrical structures. These formalistic innovations influenced later musicians such as கோபாலகிருஷ்ண பாரதியார், நீலகண்ட சிவன், சுத்தானந்த பாரதியார், பாபநாசம் சிவன். A list of Muthuthandavar’s famous compositions with their இராகம் and தாளம் is presented.