Home | Vedanayagamsastriar

வேதநாயகம்

சாஸ்திரியார்

(1774-1864)

The songs of Poet-Lyricist Vedanayagam Sastriar form an inalienable part of Christian worship in South India. The richness of the Tamil language and the religious fervor of the songs instantly evoke zeal in the worship. The reverence in the songs is further augmented by their pleasing melodies. One is tempted to go back in time to trace the life and history of Vedanayagam Sastriar to appreciate the circumstances and events that shaped him to be a prolific and poetic crusader for the Triune God.

History

Vedanayagam Sastriar was born on the 7th of September, 1774, the first son of Mr. Devasahayam, a native of Tirunelveli. He lost his mother at a young age. At the age of ten, he had a clear vision of the Cross and Christ, an event which was to influence his entire life. In 1785, a German Missionary, Rev. Christian Fredrick Schwartz visited Tirunelveli. He took Vedanayagam with him to Tanjore. At that time, Prince Serfoji was also studying under Rev. Schwartz. Vedanayagam went on to study Theology at the Lutheran Seminary in Tharangambadi, now known as Tranquebar.

After completing his studies, Vedanayagam worked in the villages around Tanjore. He worked as a teacher in a missionary school for a short time. He began to write Christian lyrics and literature. He wrote 133 books and his most famous work is ‘Bethlehem Kuravanji’. His well-known songs include ‘Thandanai Thudhipome’, ‘Amen Alleluyah, Mahathuva Thambarabara’, and ‘Esuvaiye Thudhi sei nee Maname.’

A turning point in his life came when his former classmate, Prince Serfoji became king of Tanjore and appointed Vedanayagam as the official court poet. Vedanayagam was conferred various titles such as ‘Gnanadeepa Kavirayar’, Veda Sastrigal, and ‘Suvisesha Kavirayar’ which established him the King of Evangelical Poets.

Sastriar’s songs were based on Thevaram (hymns of Saivaite Saints) and Tiruppugazh rhymes. Some songs in Thayumannavar’s style are found in his song collection called the ‘Jebamalai’ which means ‘Garland of Prayers’. His compositions glorify the Triune God and are characterized by high literary quality. He continued to glorify God and he spread the Gospel as far as Ceylon in spite of personal tragedies and setbacks. His songs are still being sung in Tamil churches and are peerless in their richness and melody.

Present Generation of Sastriars

Ancestral Tree
(Descendants of Gnanasigamani Sastriar)

Ancestral Tree
(Descendants of Noah Gnaanaadikkam Sastriar)

The Sastriar title was conferred on Durairaj at the C.S.I Missionary Chapel, Vepery, on 15th December 1956.

with the full cooperation and permission of the Chennai Diocese and the Bishop,

Durairaj’s father-in-law Mr. Manuel Pillai was a pastor of the I.E.L.C Lutheran Church. Susila and Durairaj have four children: Esther Georgina, Jeyaseelan Jebaraj , Sarah Angelina and Clement Immanuel.

When Durairaj Vedanayagam Sastriar was conferred the title of Sastriar, the congregation of the Christ Church, Vannarapettai, gave him a headgear in remembrance of the title which he wears sometimes to commence his Kalatchebam.

Durairaj has traveled widely - both nationally and internationationally - on ministerial work. Past 85 now and beset with infirmities, he keeps a low profile.

Tutored by experts in playing the violin,Clement's interest shifted towards western music and he learnt to play the guitar as well. He became acquainted with Jazz and played in the musical concerts conducted by his college. In the meanwhile he continued to go with his father on his ministerial tours.

He agreed to compile music for his father’s song albums. His first assignment was "East West Christian Melodies". In this album, he composed music for both western and for Tamil classical. He knew that God was definitely calling him to make a full commitment. Therefore, he obeyed the Lord and took up the ministry full time.

On 15th December 1996 he was consecrated as Sastriar by the then Bishop of C.S.I Diocese Rt. Rev. Dr. Azariah in the Missionary Chapel, Vepery. Clement is married to Monica . They have two children, Sudharsan Isaac and Kharisma Abigail.

With his father’s failing health, Clement has neatly stepped into his shoes and is today an acclaimed violinist, singer and preacher.

The Sastriar title was conferred on Sarah on 15th December 1995 amidst joy and resistance from various quarters. People questioned if a woman was worthy enough to be consecrated as Sastriar. Durairaj convinced them that the first Sastriar’s sister’s daughter Gnanatheepam Ammal who was adopted by Sastriar was also conferred with the title of Sastriar. Therefore Sarah stands only as the second woman Sastriar in the family. The consecration service took place in the Adaikalanathar Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tana Street, Chennai.

Sarah Martin preaches and sings both in English and Tamil. On one occasion The Rotary Club of Karaikal chose her from their district to represent India on a Group Study Exchange Programme to Missouri in the United States of America. She was there for almost 45 days visiting the Rotary Clubs of the Missouri District and she gave them the taste of Indian culture and tradition through her singing. On invitation, she conducted Spoken English Programmes for the ALL INDIA RADIO – KARAIKAL.

Now settled in Ooty, Sarah and Martin (Dr.Martin Devaprasad) travel weekly to different churches both within the country and abroad to sing and to preach respectively, almost like itinerant missionaries.

He is the second son of Late. Mr. V.S. Simon Sastriar and Mrs. Jemima Vimala Leelavathy. He was born on August 27th 1978 in Thanjavur.

In his early life, his grandfather Late. Shem Vedanayaga Sastriar played an important role in nurturing him in a sound Christian faith. His father and grandfather were great examples for him to follow. Noah developed a keen interest even from his formative years in doing the Lord’s work. This was noticed by his relatives and the church congregation and they called him ‘little sastriar’. It was God’s will that he should take up His work even though his brother Samson was older to him.

The Lord called Noah’s father Simon Sastriar to glory at a young age. His father Venerable Shem Vedanayaga Sastriar continued to do the ministry. But on 8th June 1998 he too received his heavenly calling. At this juncture, the Christian society in Thanjavur wanted to consecrate the next Sastriar. So on the very next day, i.e. 9th June 1998, Noah was consecrated as Sastriar by the Bishop Rt.Rev.Dr. James Srinivasan, Trichy-Thanjavur Diocese. This ceremony was held in the presence of many pastors and church elders of various denominations and the prince Babaji Raja Ponsley of Thanjavur even before the funeral service of Noah’s grandfather Venerable Shem Vedanayaga Sastriar. In accordance with the custom of the Sastriar family, young Noah Sastriar led the funeral procession of his grandfather singing the funeral songs composed by Sangai Venerable Vedanayagam Sastriar. He was then just nineteen years old.

Noah is immensely inspired by the literary works of his forefather and says that his work is full of intellectual literature, filled with Biblical truths and sound doctrinal thoughts. He aspires for the literature of Vedanayagam Sastriar to enlighten the Tamil Christian society.

In essence, Noah Sastriar is a sixth-generation Sastriar, born to Ven. Simon Sastriar and Jemima Leelavathy on the 27th of August, 1978. He lives along with his family comprising of his mother, elder brother, and sister in the ancestral house of Vedanayagam Sastriar in Tanjore. He is now pursuing his doctorate in the literary works of Sangai venerable Vedanayagam Sastriar.