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" (என மீடப உயிேராடரககயிேல),
"Senaigalin Kartharey" (ேசைனகளின க ததேர), "Seerthiri Yegavasthey" (சீ தி எகவசேத நேமா
நேமா), and "Gunapadu Paavi" (கணபபட பாவி). 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" (க ததரகக ஸேதாததிரம)
O Haupt Voll Blut und Wunden, "Erathangaayam Kuth-thum" (இரததம காயம கததம)
Nun freut euch, Gottes kinder all, "Magizh Karthaavin Manthayae" (மகிழ க ததாவின மநைதேய)
Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, "Aa Yesuvae, Neer Yengalai" (ஆ ஏசேவ, ந எஙகைள)
Wer weiss, wie nahe mir mein, "Ende Naal Pome, Yen Saavu Velai" (எநத நாள ேபாம, ஏன சாவ ேவைள)
Laudamus te, "Ummai Thuthikirome" (உமைம ததிகிேராேம)
Du, o schones Weltgebaude, "Veghuperuku-inbamaana" (ெவகெபரகக இனபமான)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Tamil_Nadu#Tamil_Christian_keerthanai
http://www.vedanayagamsastriar.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Alfred_Krishnapillai
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N._Samuel_of_Tranquebar