Thirumazhisai Alwar was also known by the name Bhaktisara. He was called after his birthplace as Thirumazhisai Alwar. He was the son of sage Bhrigu, one of the Brahma Rishis, and an Apsara or heavenly nymph named Kanakangi or Kanakavati. His birthplace was Mahisara or Mahisarapuram, corrupted into Mazhisai or Thirumazhisai, a village near Madras.

Thiruchandavriruttam is a poem that consists of a hundred and twenty stanzas. Nanmukhan Thiruvantadi is a poem consisting of ninety-six verses. Both of them have been included in the Divya Prabhandam, a collection of the Tamil works of all the Alwars. As Thirumazhisai Alwar was a convert from Saivism to vaishnavism, we see in his works traces of bigoted devotion.

The Alwar made Kumbakonam his permanent place of residence. He died there at a very advanced age. Tradition says that he lived for four thousand and seven hundred years through his Yogic powers.

This Alwar’s message is: "Narayana is the Supreme Lord. He is the sole refuge. There is great power in the names of the Lord. Yama, the Lord of Death, whispers into the ears of his messengers that they should not approach the devotees of Lord Hari. Feel His presence everywhere. He dwells in your heart. He is your protector at all times and stages. Love the Lord. Do self-surrender and obtain His grace. You will attain eternal bliss and immortality".