Sri Ramanuja Matham

Sri-Vaishnava Disciplic Succession - The disciplic succession of the Sri-Vaishnavism, originated from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sriman Narayana. He taught the tenants of the philosophy to His eternal consort Laksmi; She in turn revealed them to Visvaksena the Commander in Chief of the martial entourage of the Lord. He revealed them to Nammalvar (Satakopan), the first of the Alvars.

The Srimad Bhagavatam (Canto XI, chapter 5: verses 38 & 39) has predicted that in the beginning of the present age (Kali yuga), many devotees of Sriman Narayana would take birth on the bank of the river Tamraparani inTamil Nadu, South India. They are said to be the 12 Alvars (saints) the pioneers of the devotional movement.

The Alvars composed hymns of devotion in the Tamil language, describing their revelations received from the Lord Himself. The Alvars are revered by the Sri-Vaishnavas and their compositions have influenced Sri-Vaisnava theology.

Ref: http://www.srimatham.com/history-srivaisnava-succession/