The art of writing (literature) is the most unique and enduring of all arts. Poetry is the sweetest and most ancient among the various forms of literature. The epic is the greatest of all poetical genres. There are several such epics in Tamil. தேம்பாவணி which tells us about Christianity, occupies an important place in the history of Tamil literature. The aim of this lesson is to introduce you to that great epic and some of its beauties.

    The poet who wrote this epic, is வீரமாமுனிவர். He belonged to Italy. Coming to Tamil Nadu as a missionary he was attracted by the greatness of Tamil and became a scholar and votary of Tamil. We shall now learn about his life and work.

    Veeramaamunivar was initially known as Constantine Joseph Beschi. He devoted his life to the service of Christianity. He came to India in 1710, and settled down in காமநாயக்கன்பட்டி in Madurai district. He realized, that if his service to Christianity were to be successful in Tamil Nadu, he would have to know Tamil fluently. He had learnt about the European missionary, Robert-de-Nobili, who came to Tamil Nadu, became a Tamilian and changed his name to தத்துவ போதகர் (Preacher of Philosophy). Beschi wished to follow Nobili’s example, and called himself தைரியநாதர். Later the people named him வீரமாமுனிவர்.

    In addition to a change of name, வீரமாமுனிவர் changed his appearance also. He smeared sandalwood paste on his forehead, wore a saffron robe and pearl ear-studs, and became a pure vegetarian. He preached Christianity and served its cause in the Southern Districts of Tamil Nadu. He wrote several literary and grammatical works and even dictionaries. It is remarkable for a man to produce such works in a language which is not his mother-tongue. வீரமாமுனிவர் had this unique distinction. Having carved a niche for himself in the history of religious and linguistic service, வீரமாமுனிவர்
died in 1747, in Tamil Nadu itself.

    Like, இரட்சணிய யாத்திரிகம். தேம்பாவணி was also written in Tamil, incorporating the spirit of Tamil culture and tradition. He is believed to have written a work, “The City of God”, in obedience to the command of Mother Mary. “The city of God” deals with the story of a lady called Mary who lived in a city in Spain. “தேம்பாவணி was written not as a translation of “The City of God” but as an adaptation of that work. It tells the story of Joseph, the father of Jesus Christ. Through this story, the poet also expresses his views on morality, righteousness, meditation, humility, sacrifice and so on. Thus, தேம்பாவணி teaches you, not only the story of Jesus and his parents, but also the value of a virtuous life.