Arch Deacon Koshy
Koshy Koshy also spelled as Koshi Koshi (1825–1899) was an Indian Anglican priest and Malayalam novelist.
K. Koshy | |
|---|---|
| Archdeacon of Mavelikkara | |
 | |
| Diocese | Anglican diocese of Travancore & Cochin |
| In office | 1885–1899 |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1856 (deacon) 1859 (priest) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Koshy Koshy 1825 |
| Died | 1899 |
| Nationality | Travancorean |
| Denomination | Malankara Church (1825–1836) Anglican Church (1836–1899) |
| Alma mater | Pazhaya Seminary, Kottayam |
Early life
Koshy was born in the Kingdom of Travancore, to a Nazrani family, part of the Malankara Syrian Church. However, when he was 11 years old (1836), his family converted to Anglicanism, under the influence of the Church Mission Society.[1]
Priesthood
Koshy desired to enter his Church's ministry and studied at the Pazhaya Seminary, Kottayam.[2] By 1844, he was a scholar in Sanskrit, Latin and English languages.[2] In 1856, he was received into the diaconate. In 1859, he was ordained as a priest in the Anglican Church.[3] In the nineteenth century, the highest office attained by Indians within the Anglican Church was that of an archdeacon.[4] In 1885, Rev. K. Koshy became the first Indian to be raised to the rank of an archdeacon.[3]
Literary pursuits
Archdeacon Koshy was one of the original Malayalam litterateurs. He wrote over 10 books, including Pulleli Kunju, Bhasmakuri and Thiruvavatharamahatmyam.[2][5] Pulleli Kunju (1882) is regarded as the first novellike original work on a local theme, in Malayalam.[6] He also translated John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress (Paradesi Mokshayathra, 1845) and The Holy War (Thirupporattam), to Malayalam.[5][6]
Adn. Koshy was the editor of Njananikshepam (published since 1840), the first Malayalam periodical.[7][5] His most important religious contribution was with respect to the revision of the Malayalam Bible (1872–1898). The Archbishop of Canterbury Edward White Benson conferred on Koshy, a Lambeth Doctorate, for his pre-eminent role in that.[8][2]
See also
References
- Jeffrey 1976, pp. 17–18, 338.
- George 1972, p. 69.
- Jeffrey 1976, p. 338.
- Mooken 1983, p. 102.
- Devi 1978, p. 13.
- George 1972, pp. 69–70.
- Chaitanya 1971, p. 174.
- Stock 1899, pp. 460, 465.
Bibliography
- Jeffrey, Robin (1976). The Decline of Nayar Dominance: Society and Politics in Travancore, 1847-1908. Vikas Publishing House. ISBN 978-0-7069-0486-4.
- Mooken, Mar Aprem (1983). Indian Christian who is who. Bombay Parish Church of the East.
- Rev. C. Y. Thomas. "History of the CSI Central Kerala Diocese, Chapters 1, 2 & 3". www.csimichigan.org.
- Stock, Eugene (1899). The History of the Church Missionary Society: Its Environment, Its Men and Its Work. Vol. 4. Church Missionary Society.
- Devi, R. Leela (1978). Influence of English on Malayalam Novels. College Book House.
- George, K. M. (1972). Western Influence on Malayalam Language and Literature. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-0413-3.
- Chaitanya, Krishna (1971). A History of Malayalam Literature. Orient Longman. ISBN 978-0-8046-8805-5.
