theologians and invite them for a dialogue. Kanapati Vâttiyâr (the teacher "Lord of the group / army of Šiva"). who is known in the missionary literature as Kâ.ampáüi Vattiyâr (teacher who sings songs), was the son of Ziegenbalg's old Tamil language teacher. Before his conversion he composed poems on the Small Catechism of Martin Luther, the Ten Commandments. the Story of Jesus Christ. the Gospel of Matthew, on the Church Hymn Book in Tranquebar. He composed these songs before his conversion to Christian faith. The tradition begun by this leader reached a new height in the life and work of Vêtanayakam Sâstiriyâr (1774-1864) who could compose several touching Kirtans (i.e. lyrics) for the Tamil Church. In his palm leaf manuscript (TAM 87) written in 170911 Kaöapati Vâttiyâr put forth several questions on the nature and function of gods, heaven, crawling, swimming and flying creatures and five elements (water. fire, air, matter, ether). His writing reflects the prevailing world view among the Tamils. Should the European theologians answer his questions adequately he expected that many learned Tamils would embrace Christian faith 12. Since no reply came
11 Propagation of the Gospel in the East. London, Society for Promoting Christian. Knowledge, 1718, p 30 Ziegenbalg wrote on 19.10 1709: Three days ago we baptised a Tamil Poet who was with us for three years. "He has been particularly helpful to me both in purchasing abundance of Malabar Authors, whom he procured for me; and in getting a competent insight into the Poetry of this Nation, which he himself gave me. Almost a Quarter of a Year ago, he wrote a Letter, and directed it to all the Learned in Germany, together with 608 Questions, treating upon Divinity and Philosophy, wherein he wanted to have their Determination. I have indeed translated those Questions, but never could be induced to believe this young Man would ever embrace in good earnest our holy Profession; as being too much influenced by [p. 31] the Suggestion of his own corrupt Reason, which you, know, is apt to cast Mists before Peoples' Eyes, and when it gets the Sway, to adulterate the Simplicity of Christian Faith and Practice. But the Lord has given a Check to this my Unbelief. [.. Now he is baptised. He] reduc'd the Catechism and the History of Christ into Damulian Verse, which at Night, when Business was over, he would sing with the Children at the Top of the House."
12 Archives of the Francke Foundation, Palmleaf TAM 87, Leaves 38v-39r. "Bluug சொல்லப்பட்ட கெழவிகளெல்லாம் தெவமார்கள் வாசித்துப் பாத்து அவதானிசசுக கொண்டு கெழவிக்கு உத்தாவு தெவரீரமாகளெல்லாம் கூடி எழுதி இவனிடத்திலே அனுப்பிவித்தால் இந்த லோகத்தில் இருக்கிற பெரியொர்கள வித்துள்ளவகள் ஈராக்கள் சகல மதத்திலே இருக்கிற பொகளுந் தேவரளமாகளை மென்மெலுs தோததாவு பண்ணி இந்த கெழவியினுடைய உத்தாவு சகல மதத்துக்குளு சசியமிருந்தால் ஈறுவெகானுடைய கிருபை கொண்டு இந்த சத்திய வெத் ஞாயத்திலும் அனெகம பொகளுடன்படுவார்கள் தெவர்ர்மாகளனைவரும் ஈறும் மத்த்துக்கும் ரம்மியமாக எழுதி அனுப்புவிக்கக் கட்டளையிடவும் இப்படிக்கு சறுவெகாலுடைய BBLAELAND YESIL $ " If you, Lords [1.e. the theologians of Europe] read these questions, consider them carefully and answer them accordingly, many of our. great people, scholars and kings of our country will praise you. Should your answers be acceptable to the people of all religions many will become Christians. Send me suitable [lut: pleasant] answers May the blessings of the grace of the Lord be with you.
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காகிதச்சுவடி ஆய்வுகள்
