History of Tamil Christian Keerthanai

History of Tamil Christian Keerthanai

A century ago, this term would have immediately conjured up the names of three lyricists
who formed the Triumvirate of Tamil Christian poets: Vedanayagam Sastriar of Tanjore,
Krishnapillai of Palyamkottai, and N. Samuel of Tranquebar.

These are mostly a collection of indigenous hymns written by Protestant Tamil Christian
poets. A few of them are translations of Christian hymns from other languages.

These hymns were written in the early stages of Protestant Christianity in India. These hymns
are widely used in worship services by the Tamil Churches belonging to the "main-line" or
traditional denominations. Some of the more popular hymns include "Mangalam Selikka"
(used during wedding celebrations) and "Ellam Yesuve".

SASTRIAR

The songs of Poet-Lyricist Vedanayagam Sastriar form an inalienable part of Christian
worship in South India. The richness of the Tamil language and the religious fervour of the
songs instantly evoke zeal in the worship. The reverence in the songs is further augmented by
their pleasing melodies. One is tempted to go back in time to trace the life and history of
Vedanayagam Sastriar to appreciate the circumstances and events that shaped him to be a
prolific and poetic crusader for the Triune God.

Vedanayagam Sastriar was born on the 7th of September, 1774, the first son of Mr.
Devasahayam, a native of Tirunelveli. He lost his mother at a young age. At the age of ten, he
had a clear vision of the Cross and Christ, an event which was to influence his entire life. In
1785, a German Missionary, Rev. Swartz visited Tirunelveli. He took Vednayagam with him
to Tanjore. At that time, Prince. Serfoji was also studying under Rev. Swartz. Vedanayagam
went on to study Theology at the Lutheran Seminary in Tharangambadi, now known as
Tranquebar.

After completing his studies, Vedanayagam worked in the villages around Tanjore. He
worked as a teacher in a missionary school for a short time. He began to write Christian lyrics
and literature. He wrote 133 books and his most famous work is ‘Bethlehem Kuravanji’. His
well known songs include ‘Thandanai Thudhipome’, ‘Amen Alleluyah, Mahathuva
Thambarabara’ and ‘Esuvaiye Thudhi sei nee Maname.’

A turning point in his life came when his former classmate, Prince Serfoji became king of
Tanjore and appointed Vedanayagam as the official court poet. Vedanayagam was conferred
various titles such as ‘Gnanadeepa Kavirayar’, Veda Sastrigal and ‘Suvisesha Kavirayar’
which established him the King of Evangelical Poets.

Sastriar’s songs were based on Thevaram (hymns of SaivaiteSaints) and Tiruppugazh
rhymes. Some songs in Thayumannavar’s style are found in his song collection called the
‘Jebamalai’ which means ‘Garland of Prayers’. His compositions glorify the Triune God and
are characterized by high literary quality. He continued to glorify God and he spread the
Gospel as far as Ceylon in spite of personal tragedies and setbacks. His songs are still being
sung in Tamil churches and are peerless in their richness and melody.

Henry Alfred Krishnapillai

Henry Alfred Krishnapillai (1827–1900) 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 works. After his retirement he worked on his
magnum opus, Ratchanya Yaatrigam. This work was based on John Bunyan's Pilgrim's
Progress, although not a translation. The work itself took 16 years to complete and is one of
finest works of Tamil literature of the nineteenth century.

Krishnapillai is well known to use analogies from Hindu text in his Christian writings. His
Christian hymns are still popular among Tamil Protestants. These hymns are similar in style
to Hindu text Tevaram.

Krishna Pillai was born in 1827 at Karaiyiruppu, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu. He was
born into an orthodox Hindu family belonging to Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. He
received his early education in Tamil grammar and literature in the village. In May 1853, he
moved to Sawyerpuram, a Christian hamlet. The settlement was founded by the Society for
Propagation of the Gospel.[1] There Krishnapillai was appointed as a Tamil teacher by
Bishop Robert Caldwell. It was in Sawyerpuram that he first encountered Christianity
through his friends[1] and eventually was baptised an Anglican[3] in the St Thomas Church
in Mylapore, Chennai. He was christened Henry Alfred through his baptism but he still
retained his Hindu name Krishna Pillai. Later in 1875, he was appointed as a Tamil pundit at
Church Missionary Society (CMS) college at Tirunelveli.

Tamil Christian literature
After his retirement, Krishnapillai aspired to write Tamil Christian classics along the lines of
Hindu epics. Hence, he spent the 16 years writing the book Rakshanya Yatrikam (the journey
of salvation, 1894). This work was modeled after John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress.
Nevertheless, it was not a translation but an adaptation of the story in Tamil.This work is
considered as his masterpiece. He had read the Pilgrim's Progress even before his conversion
and had planned to retell the story in Tamil verses. However, he started working on it only in
1878 to appear serially in Friendly Instructor. He fell ill with malaria in 1879, and then, with
encouragement from his friends, Krishnapillai decided to compile the work in an epic form
similar to the Tamil Ramayana. After 16 years, it was sent to print in 1894 and is considered
one of the most significant Tamil poetry works of the nineteenth century.In addition to this
masterpiece, Krishnapillai wrote several other books in Tamil on Christianity.Although he
was a converted Christian, he used many analogies from Hindu text in his work. He is
sometimes referred to as Christian Kamban.Some of the hymns he composed are still
prevalent amongst Tamil Protestants.His hymns were based on Hindu texts such as Tevaram.

N. Samuel of Tranquebar

Rev. N. Samuel (18 September 1850 - 20 May 1927), Professor in Divinity, Pastor, Tamil
Evangelical Lutheran Church (T.E.L.C.). He was a famous poet and author of many books.
He was also the first member of the Leipzig Evangelical Lutheran Mission (L.E.L.M.)
Council.

Rev. N. Samuel (18 September 1850 - 20 May 1927), Professor in Divinity, Pastor, Tamil
Evangelical Lutheran Church (T.E.L.C.). He was a famous poet and author of many books.
He was also the first member of the Leipzig Evangelical Lutheran Mission (L.E.L.M.)
Council.

He was the first Indian professor in the Theological Colleges in Tranquebar, Porayar, and
Bangalore (United Theological College). He was slated to teach some classes in the Gurukul
Lutheran Theological College, in Chennai, when death intervened.

Best known among his lyrics are "En Meetpar Vuyirodirukayilay" (என் மீட்பர்
உயிர ோடிருக்கயிரே), "Senaigalin Kartharey" (ரேனைகளின் கர்த்தர ),
"Seerthiri Yegavasthey" (ேீர்திரி எகவச்ரத நரமோ நரமோ), and "Gunapadu Paavi"
(குணப்படு போவி). He composed the college song "Arulaar Putkarathil Thangi" and
designed the monogram for the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College.

Vedanayagam Sastriar of Tanjore, Krishnapillai of Palyamkottai, and N. Samuel of
Tranquebar were known as the triumvirate of Tamil Christian poets.

One of his earliest compositions was about a journey to Tanjore called "Thanjai Payan
Padham." Another was "Kallu Kummi" (The Toddy Kummi), where the strong drink talks
about her glories, which made the drunkard blush in shame. His book Gospel Lyrics contains
200 songs composed over a period of 60 years.

He put the following German hymns into Tamil meter:

Gott sei Dank in aller Welt, "Kartharukku Sthothiram" (கர்த்தருக்கு ஸ்ரதோத்தி ம்)
O Haupt Voll Blut und Wunden, "Erathangaayam Kuth-thum" (இ த்தம் கோயம்
குத்தும்)
Nun freut euch, Gottes kinder all, "Magizh Karthaavin Manthayae" (மகிழ்
கர்த்தோவின் மந்னதரய)
Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, "Aa Yesuvae, Neer Yengalai" (ஆ ஏசுரவ, நீர்
எங்கனள)
Wer weiss, wie nahe mir mein, "Ende Naal Pome, Yen Saavu Velai" (எந்த நோள்
ரபோம், ஏன் ேோவு ரவனள)
Laudamus te, "Ummai Thuthikirome" (உம்னம துதிகிர ோரம)
Du, o schones Weltgebaude, "Veghuperuku-inbamaana" (வவகுவபருக்கு
இன்பமோை)

ABRAHAM PANDITHAR (A brief History about a renowned Tamil Lyric
writer/composer)

ABRAHAM PANDITHAR (A brief History about a renowned Tamil Lyric writer/composer)
August 2, 1859-August 31, 1919 Rao Sahib Dr. Abraham Pandithar was born on the 31st of

July 1860 at Sambavar Vadakarai near Tenkasi to Muthuswami Nadar and Annammal.. His
ancestors traced their origin to the ancient Kun-Pandyan family.

EARLY LIFEHe was put in a school at Surandai in the district of Tirunelveli. He was sent to
the C.V.E.S. Normal Teachers Training School at Dindigul, where he became a teacher after
3 year's study and training. His grand parents on both sides were medical practitioners, and
were well versed in Tamil Medical Literature, and it was no wonder that his natural
proclivities inclined towards medicine. He wished to initiate himself into the ancient system
of Indian Medicine and with this objective in view he went to Surli Hills, near the sources of
the Vaigai River in the summer of 1877.He came into contact with a great Maharishi called
Karunananda Rishi who initiated him into the world of Indian Medicine with all its nuances.
He also gave him the necessary recipes and the directions for preparing the world famed
Karunananda Medicines. During the Christmas of 1882 he married Gyanavadivu Ponnammal
of Nanjankulam and 3 months later the couple joined the Lady Napier Girls School in
Thanjavur as Tamil Pandit and Head Mistress respectively.

Their joint success in giving excellent secular education, in teaching moral lessons, in
shaping social conduct and in imparting elementary principals of private and social hygiene
was so remarkable that both of them became institutions by themselves in Thanjavur District.
What endeared them both to the citizens of Thanjavur was the wide spread application of
their Karunananda remedies in Indian medicine for every day ailments. Mr. Pandithar's wife
Gyanavadivu Ponnammal died on the 15th of December 1911 after a short illness and a few
months later he married Bhagyammal.

ABRAHAM PANDITHAR AS AN MEDICINAL PRACTITIONER
The slow but steady popularity of these remedies induced Mr. Abraham Pandithar to the
more intensive study of Tamil Literature relating to medicine. In 1890 he resigned his post as
a teacher for the more humanitarian work of alleviation of pain and misery through Indian
medicine. Gradually his research work into Hindu Medicine made steady progress and the
Indian world, especially the Tamil world, in South Indian Medicine. Gradually his research
work into Hindu Medicine made steady progress and the Indian world, especially the Tamil
world, in South India, Ceylon, Burma the Strait Settlements which were all then an integral
part of the British Empire started reaping the fruits of his patient labours. Among the special
preparations for which Mr. Pandithar's name became famous were Sanjeevi Pills, Gorosanai
Pills and Agharana Sanjeevi Pill etc.

In order to develop medicinal plants, he established an experimental farm at
Karunanandpuram in 1899. Gradually he increased the extent of this farm to nearly 550 acres.
He also transformed this farm into a multi purpose agricultural farm for modern scientific
farming. He established a garden of roses. He developed several strains of sugar cane and
during this process he discovered a new sport-cane variety which was taken by Mr. C.A.
Barber the then Government Botanist for use in the Government farm at Palur. In the
agricultural exhibitions of South India, the sugar canes from the Karunananda farm were
invariably awarded the first prize.

The cultivation of Australian golden maize and the Himalayan varieties were also
successful.Sir. Arthur Lawley, the Governor of Madras and his wife Lady Lawley visited the
farm on the 22nd of February 1908 and praised Abraham Pandithar's contribution to the
cause of scientific farming in South India..In recognition of his public services, the title of
Rao Sahib was conferred upon him on the 25th of June 1909. In presenting the Sanad of "Rao

Sahib" to Mr. Abraham Pandithar Mr. J.P. Bedford I.C.S. said that "He had much pleasure in
handling to Mr. Abraham Pandithar the Sanad conferred upon him by the Government of
India. He is a man of exceptional practical energy and ability, and his career has been a
phenomenal success, his chief claim to distinction being his agricultural farm which bears
witness to his industry and enterprise."

ABRAHAM PANDITHAR - THE GREAT MUSICOLOGIST
Abraham Pandithar has made himself immortal in the history of South Indian Music by his
two great volumes entitled "Karunamita Sagaram" which he published in 1917. It was a
treatise on music in general and Tamil Isai in particular. Abraham Pandithar learnt music
under Dindigul Sadayandi Pattar. He also underwent training under an unknown Nadaswaram
artist at Thanjavur and blossomed into a knowledgeable musicologist and a princely patron.
Rajah Sir Annammalai Chettiar, the founder of Annammalai University is considered as the
founder of the Tamil Isai movement. Long before Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar, Abraham
Pandithar championed the cause of Tamil Isai by researching into the intricacies of Carnatic
Music in the context of ancient Tamil literature on art and music.

THE KARUNAMRITHA SAGARAM
His magnum opus Karunamritha Sagaram is really an ocean as its name bears, of information
on musical history, science, literature and musicians etc. An encyclopedia and a thesaurus,
the 2 volumes of Karunamritha Sagaram sum up his lifetime's work.This exhaustive work
which deals with the musical systems of South India, throws a flood of light on the literature
and history of South India a general and that of the Tamil country in particular, as it's
literature and music are inseparable. The indisputable originality displayed throughout the
book by the author, the innumerable authorities quoted in support of statements, the wealth of
illustration that is brought to bear upon various subjects, the fund of knowledge he possesses
in many departments of life, the sparkling humour that now and then relieves the seriousness
of such technical work and the fearlessness and thoroughness with which the author
establishes his theory on Shruthis, all these clearly show his remarkable genius. His chief aim
is to show what the music of ancient Tamil country was and how modern Carnatic Music is
only a pale counterpart. In this arduous task he admirably succeeded.

He proved by apt quotations from Tamil works, after careful study, how in the ancient Tamil
music of South India, the octave was divisible into a number of equal tones. This was his
fundamental position.He said that this view was supported by no less an authority than the
great Sanskrit writer on Indian Music --Saranga Deva of Kashmir ---who lived about the 13th
century A.D. He thus brought all his readers into touch with the civilization of the ancient
Tamils and the marvellous efficiency attained by them in the practice of music.Several great
men of the day like mahamahopadyaya Dr. U.V.Swaminatha Iyer, Sir P.S. Shivaswami Iyer,
Justice Sadasiva Iyer, Justice Dr. S. Subramania Iyer and Mr. J.S. Chandler, Chairman Tamil
Lexicon Committee and others paid tribute to his work.

THE SANGEETHA VIDYA MAHAJANA SANGAM
Apart from being a great musicologist, he was also a great organizer. He started the
"Sangeetha Vidya Mahajana Sangam" at Thanjavur on December 14th 1912 with the support
of stalwarts like Konerirajapuram Vaidyanatha Iyer, Harikesanallur Muthiah Bagavathar and
Panchapekesa Bagavathar. In 1913 Muthiah Bagavathar promised to give free of cost one
performance per annum, for the continued upkeep of its activities.Abraham Pandithar also
made Thanjavur a national centre of music and culture by conducting all India Music
Conferences at Thanjavur.

Between 27th May 1912 and 24th October 1914 he conducted 6 All India Conferences on
music in Thanjavur on a scale not witness before in the South and rarely witnessed ever
since. The national assemblies were impressive. Solid work was done and purposeful
discussions took place among patrons, musicologists and musicians etc.THE ALL INDIA
MUSIC CONFERENCEAt the All India Music Conference held in Baroda between 20th
March and 24th March 1916, Rao Sahib Abraham Pandithar was one of the main speakers.
He spoke "On Shruthis" on 22nd March 1916 and won the appreciation of all present on the
occasion. His daughter Maragathavalliammal gave a demonstration on "Notation in Indian
music".MEETING WITH LORD MONTAGUEWhen Lord Montague came to Madras as
Secretary of State for India towards the end of 1917, Rao Sahib Abraham Pandithar called on
Lord Montague. Lord Montague has referred to his interview with Abraham Pandithar in his
"Indian Diary". Lord Montague has mentioned about the versatile and wide-ranging interests
of Abraham Pandithar.Till the end of his life, he kept up close contact with all the musical
luminaries in the whole of India.

He passed away peacefully on 31st August 1919 at Thanjavur. His was a life of creative
fulfillment -- a life of love and service guided and governed by knowledge and an
unquenchable thirst of knowledge.The Indian Patriot referring to him stated: "Another
remarkable man of whom Young India has heard much and whose activities are well known
is Abraham Pandithar. We knew him as a practical agriculturist, we knew him as an excellent
medical man. When we went to see him in the dark hours of the evening, he was poring over
some proofs of a music work, to which, at great devotion of time and wealth, he has been
applying himself. Proprietor of an up to date press, enthusiast of every kind of useful activity,
a man of inexhaustible energy and confidence in himself, Abraham Pandithar is a shining
example for Young India. 'Be ever active and strive to do good' is the permanent message of
his life.

Source
http://tamilkeerthanaigal.blogspot.in/2008/09/abraham-pandithar-brief-history-about.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Tamil_Nadu#Tamil_Christian_keerthanai
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Alfred_Krishnapillai
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N._Samuel_of_Tranquebar
http://tamilkeerthanaigal.blogspot.in/2008/09/abraham-pandithar-brief-history-about.html