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TVU-p2024MN-E

  • Lesson - 3

    P20243 Minor Literatures of Christians


    In this lesson we will be introduced to Christian Citilakkiyankal, We look at example of Kuravanchi, Kalampakam, Anthathi, Sathakam and Ammanai. Literary forms keep changing over the years. Cittilakkiam become popular in 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. They differ from epics. They are also known as Prapanthankal and sing of God and kings. There are 96 varieties of Citilakkiyankal in Tamil.

    Tamil is a language for expressing devotion. Christian Citilakkiyankal sing the glories of Jesus, his mother Mary and father Joseph. Veeramamunivar and Vethanayagam Sastriyar were the pioneers of Cittilakkiam in Tamil Christian literature. The Christian Cittilakkiam has some special features.

    1.
    It avoids conventions unsuitable to Christian’s religious tradition.
    2.
    It sings of the qualities of divine people rather than their physical beauty.
    3.
    Nayaka Nayaki Pavam (Bridal mysticism) in Tamil literary tradition have been followed by the genre too.
    4.
    The 4th Most of the works are in the form of allegories and lastly Many works of Vetha Nayagam Sastriyar have the prefix ‘Gnana’

    Pethlakem Kuravanchi was written in 1800 by Vedanayagam Sastriyar. It has five parts: Iraivazthu, Esuvin Ula, Devamogini Kathal, Kurathi Kurikural and Sinken Varukai. The heroine is Devamogini, the daughter of Seeyon. She is in love with Jesus. The gypsy predicts that Jesus would come and mary her. Devamogini gives her a lot of presents. Then Sinken comes in search of Sinki (the gipsy) and both sing the praise of the lord.

    Thirukavalur Kalambagam was written by Veeramamunivar. The poem sings about Hadaikalamatha in the Thirukavalur church, built by the author. He describes mother’s beauty with great devotion.

    Mayuram Vedanayagam Pillai wrote Devamaatha Anthathi. It consists of 100 verses. The first part describes the great qualities of Mother; the second part is the prayer of a devotee for divine grace. The poet appeals to Matha to bless him in spite of all his shortcomings. The poem has also rich literary beauty.

    Amalagurusathagam was written by G.S. Vedanayagar. It is didactic in nature.

    Suvikaranar wrote Mukthi Vazhi Ammanai. Ammanai is a game girls play with pebbles. This work is based on Banyan’s Pilgrim’s progress.

    Citilakkiyankal in Tamil Christian literature filled with intense devotion as well as aesthetic beauty.

     

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Updated Date : 01-09-2016 12:01:55 IST