Vedanayagam Sastriar
Vedanayagam | |
|---|---|
| Native name | வேதநாயகம் சாஸ்திரியார் |
| Church | Catholic Church (1774-85) Lutheranism (1785-1864) |
| Orders | |
| Rank | Catechist |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Vedapodagam 7 September 1774 |
| Died | 24 January 1864 (aged 89) |
| Buried | CSI St. Peter's Church, Thanjavur |
| Parents | Gnanapoo (mother) Devesagayam (father) |
| Spouse |
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| Children |
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| Occupation | Tamil poet, dramatist, scholar, theologian, hymnwriter |
| Alma mater | Tranquebar Mission |
Vedanayagam Sastriar (7 September 1774 - 24 January 1864) was a Tamil poet, dramatist, scholar, theologian and hymnwriter from the Lutheran tradition. He composed a total of 133 books, including plays such as Bethlehem Kuravanji (1800) and theological texts such as Aranathintham (1837). He also composed more than 400 hymns, may of which are still used in Tamil Christian keerthanai tradition.
Vedanayagam preached Christianity at many places including Madras and Jaffna. He had knowledge in various fields like theology, astronomy, mathematics, physiology and sociology. He was conferred with several titles including Gnanadeepa Kavirayar (king among poets of the Divine Light). During 1829-32, he served as court poet of Serfoji II, the penultimate Maratha King of Thanjavur.
His descendants continue to carry his theological legacy.