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 மீ ட்பர் உயிர ோ டிருக்கயிோர), 'Senaigalin Kartharey' (ோரனைகளின்

கர்த்தர ), 'Seerthiri Yegavasthey' (ோ ர்திரி எகவச்ரத நரோம நரோம ), and 'Gunapadu Paavi'

(குணப்படு ோப வி). 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 ஸ்ரோத த்தி ம்) O Haupt Voll Blut und

Wunden, 'Erathangaayam Kuth-thum' (இ த்தம் ோக யம் குத்தும்) Nun freut euch, Gottes kinder

all, 'Magizh Karthaavin Manthayae' (மகிழ் கர்த்ோத வின் மந்ைதரய) Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu

uns wend, 'Aa Yesuvae, Neer Yengalai' (ஆ ஏசுரவ, நீர் எங்கைள) Wer weiss, wie nahe mir mein,

'Ende Naal Pome, Yen Saavu Velai' (எந்த ோந ள் ரோப ம், ஏன் ோ ோ வு ரவைள) Laudamus

te, 'Ummai Thuthikirome' (உம்ைம துதிகிர ோ ரம) Du, o schones Weltgebaude, 'Veghuperuku-

inbamaana' (வவகுவபருக்கு இன்போம ன ) 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