Vedanayagam Sastriar
Encyclopedia
Vedanayagam Sastriar 1774 -1864 of Thanjavur, Poet-lyricist, Court poet in the palace of Serfoji II
. He was a famous poet and writer with 133 books and over 500 lyrics to his credit.
At the age of ten, he is said to have had a vision of the cross of Christ.
Influenced by the teachings of the New Testament, as shown to him by some acquaintances, he sought out Rev C. F. Schwartz
, a German missionary and embraced Protestantism at the age of 12.
He had his education under the tutorage of Rev C. F. Schwartz. At the time, the latter had another younger but notable pupil, Prince Serfoji
, who became the Raja of Tanjore. Their education was modelled after the gurukulam style where guru and pupils live together.
He then did his theological studies at the Lutheran Seminary in Tranquebar. His professor was Dr. John. Others who influenced him were Dr. Kammerer and Rev. Rottler.
He worked in the villages around Tanjore as a mission school teacher at the age of 19. He taught Literature and Arithmetic, along with other subjects. He then became the Head Master.
He was appointed as the official court poet in the palace of his classmate, King Serfoji
. In the early days, his life in the palace was peaceful, the King himself regarding him as an elder brother. But in later years, several powerful individuals in the palace were intolerant towards Christianity. Nevertheless Vedanayagam Sastriar was fearless and outspoken, respecting the faith of others but also firm in his own. The only bajans he would sing till the very end were those of Jesus Christ.
His faith and convictions influenced many. Notable among them was his influence over the much younger N. Samuel of Tranquebar
, whose father, the librarian in the Saraswathi Mahal Library
, engaged in many an argument with the older court poet about religion before he converted to Christianity.
His songs are sung in Tamil churches to this day. The popularity and timeless quality of the songs may be attributed to their clear and simple message, skillful poetic craftmanship, richness of the Tamil usage, and pleasant and suitable melodies.
He introduced and popularized a number of phrases describing the greatness of God.
Some of the best-loved of his 500 lyrics
The best-known of the 133 books authored by him
He is the foremost among the triumvirate of Tamil Christian poets, the other two being Krishnapillai of Palyamkottai
and N. Samuel of Tranquebar
.
The United Theological College in Bangalore, preserves some of the original manuscripts of his writings, as part of their collection of ancient palm-leaf manuscripts and rare books.
He has been inspired by the efforts and work of Johann Phillip Fabricius
(German missionary who carried forward the work of Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg) in translating The Bible into Tamil. He has paid tribute to this work by calling it “the golden translation of the immortal Fabricius".
Serfoji II
Serfoji II was the last ruler of the Maratha principality of Tanjore to exercise absolute sovereignty over his dominions. His descendants, however, have managed to thrive as titular Maharajahs of Thanjavur to the present day...
. He was a famous poet and writer with 133 books and over 500 lyrics to his credit.
Life
Born into a Roman Catholic family in Tirunelveli on 7 September 1774, first son of Catechist Devasahayam Pillai(previously Arunachalam) and Gnanapoo. He, and his sisters Susaiammal and Bakkiammal lost their mother at a young age.At the age of ten, he is said to have had a vision of the cross of Christ.
Influenced by the teachings of the New Testament, as shown to him by some acquaintances, he sought out Rev C. F. Schwartz
Christian Friedrich Schwarz
Christian Friedrich Schwarz was a German Lutheran Protestant missionary to India, born on 8 October 1726 at Sonnenburg, in the electorate of Brandenburg, Prussia. Having learned Tamil to assist in a translation of the Bible into that language, he was led to form the intention of becoming a...
, a German missionary and embraced Protestantism at the age of 12.
He had his education under the tutorage of Rev C. F. Schwartz. At the time, the latter had another younger but notable pupil, Prince Serfoji
Serfoji II
Serfoji II was the last ruler of the Maratha principality of Tanjore to exercise absolute sovereignty over his dominions. His descendants, however, have managed to thrive as titular Maharajahs of Thanjavur to the present day...
, who became the Raja of Tanjore. Their education was modelled after the gurukulam style where guru and pupils live together.
He then did his theological studies at the Lutheran Seminary in Tranquebar. His professor was Dr. John. Others who influenced him were Dr. Kammerer and Rev. Rottler.
He worked in the villages around Tanjore as a mission school teacher at the age of 19. He taught Literature and Arithmetic, along with other subjects. He then became the Head Master.
He was appointed as the official court poet in the palace of his classmate, King Serfoji
Serfoji II
Serfoji II was the last ruler of the Maratha principality of Tanjore to exercise absolute sovereignty over his dominions. His descendants, however, have managed to thrive as titular Maharajahs of Thanjavur to the present day...
. In the early days, his life in the palace was peaceful, the King himself regarding him as an elder brother. But in later years, several powerful individuals in the palace were intolerant towards Christianity. Nevertheless Vedanayagam Sastriar was fearless and outspoken, respecting the faith of others but also firm in his own. The only bajans he would sing till the very end were those of Jesus Christ.
His faith and convictions influenced many. Notable among them was his influence over the much younger N. Samuel of Tranquebar
N. Samuel of Tranquebar
Rev. N. Samuel ஞா.சாமுவேல் , Professor in Divinity, Pastor, Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church . He was a famous poet and author of many books. He was also the first member of the Leipzig Evangelical Lutheran Mission Council.-Timeline:*Born at Kumbakonam on 18 September 1850*Trained by R...
, whose father, the librarian in the Saraswathi Mahal Library
Saraswathi Mahal Library
Saraswathi Mahal Library is located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the oldest libraries in Asia, and has on display a rare collection of Palm leaf manuscripts and paper written in Tamil, Hindi, English, Telugu, Marathi, and a few other languages indigenous to India. The collection...
, engaged in many an argument with the older court poet about religion before he converted to Christianity.
Titles
-
- Veda Sironmani Gnana Kavichakravarthy meaning 'Wizened Conquistador of Poetry who is the Gem of the Scriptures'
- Gnanadeepa Kavirayar meaning 'Poet King of Illuminating knowledge'
- Veda Sastrigal meaning 'The moulder of the Scriptures'
- Suvisesha kavirayar meaning 'Poet King who trumpets good tidings (Gospel)'
Contribution to literature and poetry
Sastriar introduced Tamil literary traditions to Christian literary works. His songs were based on Thevaram and Tiruppugazh rhymes. He used Thayumannavar’s style in a particular song collection entitled Jebamalai or Garland of prayers.His songs are sung in Tamil churches to this day. The popularity and timeless quality of the songs may be attributed to their clear and simple message, skillful poetic craftmanship, richness of the Tamil usage, and pleasant and suitable melodies.
He introduced and popularized a number of phrases describing the greatness of God.
-
- Saruvesan All-powerful God, or one beyond all
- Paraparan One who excels all and is accessible to all
- Meitevan Redeeemer; or he who shephereded
- Adi Andam illai One who has no beginning or end; eternal
- Vimalan One free from impurity
- Egaatipati The Sovereign Lord
- Nirai Pooranan One who is fully complete
Some of the best-loved of his 500 lyrics
-
- Thandanai thudhipome
- Amen alleluyah mahathuva thambarabara
- Esuvaiye thudhi sei nee maname
- Varavenum Enatharasae
The best-known of the 133 books authored by him
-
- Bethlehem kuravanji
- Gnanakummi
- Jebamalai A collection of prayer songs
- Parabaran malai
- Gnana eththappattu
- Gnana vazhi
- Adi anandam
- Parama needhi puranam
- Sastrkkummi
- Suviseda Gnanam
- Gnana Andadi A composition of 100 stanzas as a commentary on the Song of Solomon
He is the foremost among the triumvirate of Tamil Christian poets, the other two being Krishnapillai of Palyamkottai
Henry Alfred Krishnapillai
Henry Alfred Krishnapillai was a well known poet in Tamil language. He was born in a Hindu family, but later converted to Christianity. Even after his conversion, he retained his Hindu surname. He was an accomplished Tamil teacher and hence after his conversion sought to work on Tamil literary...
and N. Samuel of Tranquebar
N. Samuel of Tranquebar
Rev. N. Samuel ஞா.சாமுவேல் , Professor in Divinity, Pastor, Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church . He was a famous poet and author of many books. He was also the first member of the Leipzig Evangelical Lutheran Mission Council.-Timeline:*Born at Kumbakonam on 18 September 1850*Trained by R...
.
The United Theological College in Bangalore, preserves some of the original manuscripts of his writings, as part of their collection of ancient palm-leaf manuscripts and rare books.
He has been inspired by the efforts and work of Johann Phillip Fabricius
Johann Phillip Fabricius
Johann Phillip Fabricius was a German Christian missionary and a Tamil scholar in later part of his life. He arrived in South India in 1740 to take charge of a small Tamil Lutheran congregation in Madras and expanded it during his stay...
(German missionary who carried forward the work of Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg) in translating The Bible into Tamil. He has paid tribute to this work by calling it “the golden translation of the immortal Fabricius".
Descendants
The descendants of Vedanayagam Sastriar are dedicated to spreading Gospel through his Songs. The sixth and seventh generation of his descendants are Durairaj Vedanayagam Sastriar and Clement Vedanayagam Sastriar.External links
- Vedanayagamsastriar
- www.sastriars.org Sastriars/]