By C K George
The German Jesuit Missionary Priest, Joannes Ernestus Hanxleden alias Arnos Padre was a “storm on two legs in the literary and cultural horizon of not only Kerala but also the world over” for about three decades.
He had produced classical works in Malayalam and Sanskrit when it was a taboo for non-Brahmins to learn Sanskrit language.
Padre had made immense contribution for the growth and development of Malayalam and Sanskrit languages and literature in the early part of 18th century.
Hanxleden mastered of Sanskrit and Malayalam languages in a short period.
Born in 1681 at Ostercappeln, near Osnabruck (Germany), Hanxleden left Augsbourg on October 03,1699 as a Jesuit Missionary for Surat (India) along with Fr William Weber, Fr William Meyer and Gasper Schillinger (A barber by profession) and they (Arnos and Schillinger alone) landed at Surat on December, 13, 1700, after a long and tedious journey of 437 days. (Surat fell in Gujarat, the native State of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Damodardas Modi)
They suffered a lot of troubles and tribulations during their voyage including the demises Fr Weber on 24-11-1700 and Fr Meyer on 28-11-1700. Their bodies were dropped in to the deep sea by the ship’s valets for Davy Jones’s locker.
Hanxleden proceeded from Surat to Goa and he left Goa in November 1701, with a letter from the Rector of Saint Paul’s Seminary for Ambazhakad Jesuits’ Seminary,near Thrissur.
Ambazhakad had a well established College and Seminar y for training of priests.
The whole College complex at Ambazhakad consisted of Saint Thomas Church, a full-fledged Seminary and a printing press. It was totally destroyed in 1797 by Tippu Sultan”s Military March.
Hanxleden entered the Saint Paul’s College/Seminary at Ambazhakd in 1701 and he was ordained priest in 1707 at Ambazhakad.
Hanxleden served as a Missionary priestin Cranganore (Kodungalloor), Udayamperoor, Kuruvilangad, Chettuva and Mattam. He was vicar of Saint Mata Dei Cathedral at Calicut (Kozhikode) for seven months.
Arnos Padre was appointed Secretary to the Kodungalloor Archbishop, Don Joao Ribeiro for four years from 1707 after his ordination as priest.
Arnos Padre arrived at Velur in 1712. Out of Hanxleden’s three decades long polyvalent multifaceted life in Goa and Kerala, over 16 years he had spent at Velur,near Thrissur, the Cultural Capital of Kerala.
He had learnt Malayalam and Sanskrit at Velur and earned impeccable knowledge in them even to compete with high Caste Brahmins” Sanskrit knowledge. He had authored several books in Malayalam and Sanskrit languages at Velur.
Priests Weber and Meyer died of plague during their voyage at the middle of the sea just five days for them to land at Surat.
Fr Weber’s death had made a great shock in Hanxleden for he was Hanxleden’s superior, Novice Master , Friend, Philosopher and guide in all aspects.
Arnos Padre’s main works are:
1) Malayalam-Portuguese Dictionary
2) Malayalam Portuguese Grammar
3) Malayalam-Sanskrit Dictionary
4) Sanskrit Grammar (Gramatica Grandonica)
5) Puthanppana (New Ballad or New Hymn)
6) Chathuranthyam (Four Ends of Life)
(a) Canto of Death (b) Canto of Judgment (c)Canto of Hell (d) Canto of Heaven.
7) Umaparvam (Sorrows of Blessed Virgin Mary-Mother of God)
8) Vyakula Prabanndham (Dolours of Holy Mary)
A short poetical work is another lamentation of Virgin Mary.
9) Genovaparvam (Life of Saint Genevieve) or Genova Punya Charitham
The literary and poetic qualities of this hymn are so sublime, composition so perfect and free from any defects.
10) Ave Maris Stella (Hail Star of the Sea)
A beautiful Latin hymn rendered by Hanxleden into Sanskrit and Malayalam ( A garland of 12 stars).
It was described by the leading litterateurs as a poem of richness of expression, elegance and beauty in par excellence.
(The article to be continued…)
