Vedanayagam Sastriyar [1774 – 1864]
Vedanayagam Sastriyar was born into a Christian family and received his education in grammar as early as 5-years-old. But, he lost interest after his mother’s death and started tending to his grandfather’s cows. A shepherd, much like King David.
In 1783, his father Devasagayam employed a tutor to instruct him in literature and mathematics. As he was studying one evening he saw a vision of a wooden cross. This made a lasting impression in his life and it became the central theme of most of his compositions later on. His life was not the same again.
When Rev. Friedrich Schwarz visited Tirunelveli in 1786, he was impressed with Vedanayagam and he took it upon himself to mentor him in Thanjavur with the permission of his father. Rev. Schwarz brought him up as his own and presented him with the Book of Psalms, it was providential as Vedanayagam later became the sweet singer of Tamil Christians.
Vedanayagam learned much from being mentored by the Reverend like the disciples learned a lot from ‘following’ or rather being with Jesus.
Much of his work incorporated indigenous and cultural elements in the worship and promoted the use of Indian music and Indian musical instruments. Besides the many Keerthanais (devotional songs) written by Vedanayagam Sastriyar, there are still many others sung at Tamil churches today.
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