Caste, Catholic Christianity and the Language of Conversion Social Changes and Cultural Translation in Tamil Country

Based on a wide range of published sources, archival material and field data this book is an in-depth study of the Portuguese missions and missionaries in the Tamil coast and hinterland between 1519 and 1774. It brings to light the socio-cultural interaction between the missionaries and the natives emphasizing the role of Catholic Christianity and its various institutions. In exciting and unexpected ways the book provides various dimensions of change in the Tamil society, analyzes the changes in approaches, strategies and schemes in the context of social development. It highlights the position of the people and their conditions that were more shaped by the diverse historical material conditions than by religion and ideology. It presents a fresh analysis on the theme of the Portuguese contribution to Tamil language and printing press and enriches our understanding of the Tamil Christian life and every day practices. This work is the first to offer an overall survey of the architectural and artistic traditions by placing them within proper historical and cultural context. This monograph is an exemplum of the best socio-historical and missiological study of Christianity in its analysis of texts, socio-cultural context and sets a wide gauge for understanding the history of the Tamil society. About The Author:- Based on a wide range of published sources, archival material and field data this book is an in-depth study of the Portuguese missions and missionaries in the Tamil coast and hinterland between 1519 and 1774. It brings to light the socio-cultural interaction between the missionaries and the natives emphasizing the role of Catholic Christianity and its various institutions. In exciting and unexpected ways the book provides various dimensions of change in the Tamil society, analyzes the changes in approaches, strategies and schemes in the context of social development. It highlights the position of the people and their conditions that were more shaped by the diverse historical material conditions than by religion and ideology. It presents a fresh analysis on the theme of the Portuguese contribution to Tamil language and printing press and enriches our understanding of the Tamil Christian life and every day practices. This work is the first to offer an overall survey of the architectural and artistic traditions by placing them within proper historical and cultural context. This monograph is an exemplum of the best socio-historical and missiological study of Christianity in its analysis of texts, socio-cultural context and sets a wide gauge for understanding the history of the Tamil society. Jayaseela Stephen is Professor of Maritime History and Coordinator of the UGC-Special Assistance Programme at Visva-BHarati University, Shantiniketan. He has held teaching and research appointments at University of Nebraska, Lincoln City, (1996), University of Connecticut, Storrs, (2004) USA. He is also former fellow of the Ecole Franoise d' Extreme-Orient, Paris/Pondicherry (1994-1999), editor of Revue HIstorique: Societe de l' Histoire de Pondicherry (1995-1997), former Senior Advisor to Tata Central Archives, Pune, (2000-2001) and Head of the Department of History (2001-20040. he is a Member of Executive Committee in the Indian Historical Records Commission nominated by the Government t of India. He is the author of numerous books including The Coromandel Coast and its Hinterland: Economy, Society and Political System, 1500-1600 (1997), Portuguese in the Tamil Coast: Historical Explorations in Commerce and Culture, 1507-1749 (1998), Rangappa Thiruvengadam Pillai Naatkurippu, Vol. I (1760-1768) Vol. II, 1762-1766, (2000), The Diary of Rangappa Thiruvengadam Pillai, 1760-1768: Translated from Original Tamil with Notes (2001), Portuguese- Tamil Grammar: Modernization and Democratisation of Tamil (2001) and Letters of the Portuguese Jesuits from Tamil Countryside, 1666-1668, (2001). He has also co-edited (with KS Mathew) Indo-French Relations, (1999) and edited Trade and Globalisation: Europeans, Americans and Indians in the Bay of Bengal, 1511-1819 (2003); Literature, Caste and Society: The Masks and Veils (2006), Arangappa THiruvengadam Pillai Naatkurippa from 13.6.1767 to 29.12.1769, (Vol. III, in Tamil), 2006. His publications also include a large number of articles on socio-economic history of Medieval South India, Maritime history of Early Modern India in various journals and edited volumes. He won the best book prize for his book Muthu Vijaya Thiruvengadam Pillai Naatkurippu, 1794-1796, in 1999 (in Tamil which deals with diary writing in Tamil during the Eighteenth Century). Contents:- CONTENTS:- # List of Abbreviations Preface Introduction Section I 1. Tamil Hindu Society and the Advent of the Portuguese 2. The Catholic Religious Orders and Glimpses into the Conversion of the Tamils 3. Casters, Communities, Societal Changes and the Catholic Institutions Section II 4. The Christian Life and Everyday Practices of the Tamils 5. Luso-Tamil Cultural Relations 6. Social Life of the Portuguese Casados and Mesticoes on the Tamil Coast Section III 7. Role of the Tamil Printing Press: Development of Christian Devotional Literature and Prose 8. Portuguese Contribution to Tamil Grammar and Lexicography Section IV 9. Portuguese and the Religions Architecture in the Churches of Tamilnadu 10. Inside the Tamil Church: Ecclesiastical Art, Role of the Portuguese Missionaries and the Armenian Merchants Conclusion Appendices Glossary Select Bibliography Index. The Title 'Caste, Catholic Christianity and the Language of Conversion Social Changes and Cultural Translation in Tamil Country written/authored/edited by S. Jeyaseela Stephen', published in the year 2008. The ISBN 9788178356860 is assigned to the Hardcover version of this title. This book has total of pp. 406 (Pages). The publisher of this title is Kalpaz Publications. This Book is in English. The subject of this book is Sociology. Size of the book is 14.34 x 22.59 cms Vol:-