The arrival of Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg on July 9, 1706 in a Tamil village of Tranquebar on the Coromandel Coast in South East India marks the beginning of an interesting chapter not only in Indo-German relationship but also in Tamil language literature and culture. Ziegenbalg came to Tranquebar with an expressed purpose of introducing German Lutheran pietism to the people of Bhakthi religions belonging to popular village religiosities but his encounter with Tamil people and Tamil culture and literature transformed him so much that he became the author for Tamil culture and religious heritage. The 300th anniversary of his arrival gives an exciting opportunity to commemorate the contribution of this great Dravidologist of South India.

::: Achievements of Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg

1. Initiated a new method of learning Tamil language

Ziegenbalg initiated a new way of learning Tamil language. He approached the children of the local Tamil schools (Thinnai Pallikudam) to teach him the right way of pronouncing colloquial Tamil words. The school teachers taught him the beauty of Tamil Poetry, Grammar and Puranas, the great epics of Kamba Ramayanam. Within 8 months, he was able to read and write Tamil but he did not understand the meaning of the Tamil language very well. At this time Tamil people who were fluent in German, Dutch, Portugal and Danish languages came forward to help him understand the complexities of Tamil literature heritage. So his learning of Tamil language led him to build literary bridge between Germany and India. He translated the New Testament into Tamil which in turn became the first long prose literature written in colloquial Tamil language. Obviously all writings of any importance were in poetry of which not everybody understood. But Ziegenbalg's Tamil could be understood by anybody. His translation removes the stigma attached to the use of local language in any formal occasion. Thus we can say that Ziegenbalg is the father of modern Tamil prose.

2. Promoted Interaction between German Literature and Tamil Literature

Secondly, he tried to integrate German literature thoughts in prose form and their theological writings, which he circulated among people, inviting them for serious informed interaction. Some of his partners included outstanding Tamil scholars and Shastris, who lived in the Kingdom of Thanjavur. They wrote to him letters explaining Tamil worldviews, Tamil religious customs and socio-cultural practices. These letters provided wealth of information on the 18th century study of Tamil people.

3. Translated Tamil Grammative Prose into Latin

Ziegenbalg was moved by the orderliness of Tamil language that he translated most of the grammatical prose into Latin. He was familiar with grammars such as Tholkappiam and Nannul. He read European grammars of Tamil language such as Arte by Hendriques Hendriques in Thoothukudi. His description about Tamil people created great interest amongst German readers that they wanted to know more about Tamil literature. In order to facilitate this inter-cultural learning, he composed the first Grammatica Dumalica, which was published in 1716 in Halle, Germany. This book still remains as a great achievement of Ziegenbalg, which is yet to be studied.

4. Two comprehensive treatises on South Indian Literature

He left behind two comprehensive treatises or detailed writings on South Indian literature. In 1711, he wrote Malabarian Gods, which can be translated as South Indian Society. In this valuable book, he quotes long passages from 176 Tamil Literary works including Sivavackiam, Gnanavenba, 64 Thiruvilayadal Puranam, Udalkuru Thathuvam and the like. His main aim was to introduce his European readers to the theological and theosophical thought patterns and behaviours of Tamil people. The Second book is the 'Genealogy of Malabarian Gods. It includes a detailed study of Savaite and Vaishnavite beliefs coupled with popular varied religiosities. In this exciting writing, he incorporates 145 letters written by Tamil scholars. In this way Ziegenbalg did not write about Tamil people rather he led them speak for themselves. This particular way of writing is very unique in European colonial era in India.

5. First to interpret Tamil culture and civilization to Europe

As far as his contributions to European scholars are concerned, he was determined to dispel the European preachers that the Tamil people were uncivilized wild people. To prove his point he translated in 1718 three colloquial works such as Ulaganeedhi, Konrai Vendhan and Needhi Venba. Probably these are the first Tamil literature to be presented in a European language. His letters, poetries and other correspondences contained useful information, which is not found anywhere else. Most of these are written on paper but some of them like his 26 ceremonies of 1709 and 46 prarthanais, i.e. songs, are still found in the form of palm leaf manuscripts.

6. Peter Malaiyappan was taught German and produced before Copenhagen Court

Another way of helping his European contemporaries was his effort to take a Tamil person by name Peter Malaiyappan on his journey to Europe. Peter Malaiyappan seems to have been a German scholar who did not hesitate to speak in front of royal dignitaries both in Copenhagen as well as in London. So the two-way cultural traffic that Ziegenbalg initiated continues till this day.

7. Introduction of Printing Press in India

Another contribution that invariably helped the promotion of Tamil language was his introduction of a Tamil printing press in Tranquebar in 1712. Again it was a collaborative undertaking between the Germans, British and the Tamil people. So the letters were cut in Halle, the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge (SPCK) in London provided both the press and the paper. The Tamil people gave the labour. Thus the first Tamil books were printed in Tranquebar from 1712. The 'Nirubam', a small circular enlisting the Tamil readers for a dialogue with Ziegenbalg marks the first printing. In 1713 Ziegenbalg wrote another Tamil prose about the religious state of the people whom he knew. Then the books of New Testament were printed in 1714. Thus Ziegenbalg's work initiated a process of dramatizing Tamil characters and enabling the common people to read the printed Tamil books.

8. Interaction with Socially and Religiously marginalised

Ziegenbalg's greatest contribution however is his interaction with socially and religiously marginalized people in and around Tranquebar. His commitment to serve the poor people and willingness to collaborate with them resulted in a new Tamil Christian community, which still continues. He taught them that they need not labour under the unjust social customs such as untouchability; and caste hierarchy. He encouraged them to aspire for social upward mobility, begin an alternative way of thinking and doing certain things so that without any social dislocation they could live a dignified human life within their society. This particular way of facilitating social upward mobility has resulted in an enormous growth of a Christian population in Tamil community. Through them, people of other faiths have tried to adopt certain methods like public education. Within this context, Ziegenbalg stands out for establishing the first school for girls, which was established in 1710. People of any religion can send their daughters to this school, through this he initiated female liberation.

9. Catalytic role promoting Tamil culture in and outside India

The importance of Ziegenbalg lies not only in the Indo-German relationship but above all his catalytic role in the promotion of Tamil people and their culture both within India and outside India. So this 300th anniversary becomes a vital opportunity to commemorate the arrival of Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg as the first Protestant Missionary to India.