334 | The Contribution of European Scholars |
The beautiful earthern-ware pots of Bengal, picturesquely painted are often mentioned in the Tēmpāvaṇi.55 Beschi has also introduced with great effect the rose, the lily and the sunflower - flowers which followed in the wake of foreign contacts........... in the verses of the Tēmpāvaṇi.56 We see that Sanskrit words have found a place in the Tēmpāvaṇi. The Tamil style then prevalent liberally employed Sanskrit words and there is no wonder when Beschi did the same. Certain ways in which Tamil words have been employed by him are noteworthy. For instance piṟarkaḷ, talaimakarai, niy, makavar.57 In a few instances, Beschi has coined some words in accordance with Tamil grammatical traditions. Examples: Kuṭatti, mullaiyar.58 On one occasion, Beschi calls the Creator peruntaccaṉ (a great carpenter). This is a beautiful attribute.59 Tamil literature mainly speaks of chastity as the important trait of a woman. Beschi describing Joseph uses the beautiful Tamil word kaṟpu and brings out his chaste quality.60 Beschi has excelled in the translation of the word John. It is a Hebrew word meaning the gracious gift of God. This is aptly translated by him into Tamil as Karuṇaiyaṉ. The genius of Beschi is revealed, when he metaphorically describes the various qualities required for the righteous life of a man. Each of these qualities is personified as a family.61 Robert Charles Caldwell writes, “Beschi imitated Kampaṉ in the most elaborate manner and gloried in so doing. He wished to present to Christian natives a poem which would be to them
55. Tem. Ch. 10, St. 35; Ch. 27, St. 80 56. Tem. Ch. 8, Sts.50, 51, 53 57. | Tem. | Ch. 20, St. 98; Ch. 12, St. 2; Ch. 5, St. 70; | | | Ch. 7, St. 94 etc.; Ch. 25, St. 90 |
58. Tem. Ch. 11, Sts. 2, 3 59. Tem. Ch. 28, St. 20 60. Tem. Ch. 34; St. 39 61. Tem. Ch. 26, St. 69 |