The European scholars were largely responsible for herald rig the renaissance in later Tamil devotional literature. Apart from their manifold contributions to other fields of Terminology, they have composed devotional Christian poems in Tamil which stimulated interest among the native poets too. An apparently conflicting environment thus ensued contributed to the growth of multifarious devotional poems in Tamil.
The contribution of European scholars to Tamil devotional poetry is not very significant when we look into the nature of the poems composed by them. Yet, it is historically significant in so far as it marks the beginning of the emergence of Tamil Christian hymns and lyrics with native spirit and temper.
Among the European Tamil poets, the names of the missionaries such as Robert de Nobile, Busch, Ziegenbalg, Ellis, Rhenium, Gnu. Pope and Robert Caldwell are worth-mentioning. It is said that Robert de Nobile (1577-1656) has composed three poetical works in Tamil, namely Namatu. Kanavutil. Tuyaranka (On the Suffering of our Lord), Umaiyaga .Camay am (Apology of the True Religion) and Nittiya Valve (Eternal Life). Apart from these, he has composed. a number of Christian hymns in Tamil which are not available to us. Charles E. Gover says, "Robert de Nobile had set an example many years before in poems which were then highly esteemed" (quoted in K. Meenakshisundaram, 1974: 317).
The untiring efforts by missionaries like Ziegenbalg (1682-171?) to translate into Tamil the German hymns, used in liturgies, are worth-mentioning. In 1713, Ziegenbalg compiled the Book of Hymns Set to Malabar Music which was greatly responsible for the growth of native Christian lyrics (Ibid. 318). Christian faith began to find indigenous expression in this work. It is supposed to be the first work of its kind printed in Tamil. It had a collection of 48 verses. Ziegenbalg is also said to be the first to introduce singing in the Tamil Church. His translation of 48 hymns . appeared in print in 1713, and this was soon enlarged by his successors to 307 hymns. Ziegenbalg was followed by his successors such as B. Schultz, C.P. Presser and T. Walker who have made significant contributions to Tamil Christian literature.
Ziegenbalg's meritorious achievements had a considerable response among the native congregation, and this enthused other missionaries to venture on composing more hymns in Tamil. ·E. Webb of the American Mission, recognizing the desirability of adapting the hymns to Indian meters in public worship, edited Kirustavak Kirttanaike] (Christian Lyrics) in 1859 and had it published through the Christian Vernacular Education Society for India. Following this, books like Tiruccapaik Kirttanaika (Church Lyrics), Tovar Tamil kurttalaikal (DonnavurTamil Lyrics), Pukalmalai and others came to be printed.
A pioneering European scholar, Ellis had also composed a few poems in Tamil on Christian faith. His poems were written in koccakak: kalippa: metre. This was first printed by Appavu Pillai, on which A. Muttucuvami Pillai wrote a commentary.
Rhenium has written a few hymns in Tamil but he followed the western metrical pattern. Another important European Tamil poet, Philip Fabric us (1742-1791) has enriched the Christian hymnody with his creative ability and beautiful images. His lyrics are highly esteemed by the Tamil Christian congregation. Apart from the multifarious short hymns, Robert Caldwell (1814-1891) has composed a book of beautiful hymns under the title Najkarunai Tiyanamalai. The short lyrics composed by Robert Caldwell are found in Rev. E. Webb's Christian Lyrics for Public and Social Worship.
Book's Contents and Sample Pages
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