Poet-Lyricist Vedanayagam Sastikar (1774-1864)

Vedanayagam Sastriar was born on the 7th of September, 1774,  the first son of Mr. Devasahayam, a native of Tirunelveli.  He lost his mother at a young age. At the age of about ten, he had a clear vision of the Cross, an event which was to influence his entire life. In 1785, a German Missionary, namely Rev. Christian Frederick Schwartz visited Tirunelveli. He took Vedanayagam with him to Tanjore. At that time, Prince Serfoji of the Maratha royal lineage was also studying under Schwartz. Vedanayagam went on to study Theology at the Lutheran Seminary in Tharangambadi, now known as Tranquebar.