Vedanayagam Sastriyar
∆ BIRTH : 07.09.1774∆ DEATH : 24.01.1864∆ CITY : Tirunelveli∆ COUNTRY : India∆ PLACE OF VISION : IndiaIt was at the court of the King of Tanjore, where all the ministers gathered happily. King Serfoji entered the court and sat on his throne. Next to him sat his dear friend Vedanayagam Sastriyar, the official court poet.That day the King asked Sastriyar for a unique favor. He asked him to sing a song praising his (the King's) God. Sastriyar could not fulfill the King's wish and sadly returned home. After knowing the real reason, his wife also shared his grief. At that moment, he wrote the following lines,"_Yesuvaiyae thuthi sei, nee manamae Yesuvaiyae thuthi sei_" (Sing praises to the Lord alone, my heart, Sing praises to the Lord alone). He went back to the King's court and sang the same song. Never after that, the King asked him to sing for his God.Sastriyar was firm in his faith. With this poetic talent, he wrote many hymns for the glory of the Lord. He was a good author too. He wrote more than 52 books even before he was 34 years old. One of his best works is 'Bethlehem Kuravanji. In 1849, during the New Year worship service, he sang the hymn “Paadi thuthi manamae, Paranai kondaadi thuthi manamae_" (sing praises my heart, sing praises celebrating the Lord), which became a famous hymn.He is also called as the 'Evangelistic poet' and as 'A poet with divine wisdom.' He continued to glorify God, and he spread the Gospel as far as Ceylon despite personal tragedies and setbacks. His spiritual father was missionary Schwartz with whose help attained Biblical knowledge. He contributed immensely to the Christian community. His descendants are called "Sastriars,' and they continue to serve God and bring many people to Christ through songsof praise. Beloved, how are you utilizing the talents that God has gifted you?
