Introduction: Art, literature and music were patronized and nurtured by Christian Churches, Christian Choirs, Christian Monasteries , and Christian Theological Seminaries: In line with the legacy and tradition , I.E.L.C [INDIA EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH} members have also made remarkable contribution to Art, Music and literature . In this Article I deal with the remarkable Dr. S Suviseshamuthu [Ex Director of Christian Media Center -Vanmalar, Chennai ] Dr Suviseshamuthu was a native of Kanyakumari District, and definitely he was a Milestone in the field Christian Arts and Communication . When he was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Law degree in 1982 along with the Press Secretary of the United States' President Mr. Ronald Regan by the Volparaiso University, Indiana, USA , the whole IELC and the Christian Community of Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu and South India became proud of Dr. S. Suviseshamuthu.
Rev. Suviseshamuthu's Birth and Parents; Dr.S. Suviseshamuthu was generally called and known among his friends and public as Rev. Suvi or Dr. Suvi. He was born at a beautiful idyllic tiny village called Voottuvalmadam, near Nagercoil on 18th January, 1933 to the lovely couple Mr K. Swamidhas and Mrs Elisy Swamidhas.
Dr. Suvi's Siblings : Mr. K Swamidhas and Mrs Elisy Swamidhas were blessed with 9 lovely children, namely:[1] Mr S. Kanaga Sundram, [2]Mr. S. Suviseshamuthu, [3]Mr. Martin Jesudhas, [4] Mrs. S. Jesudiyal Cephus, [5]Mrs. K. S. Packiamani John, [6] Mrs. Agnus Chandra Kumar, [7] Mr.S. Raja Retnam ,[8] Mr. Thankiah, and [9] Ms. S. Mary.
Mr. Suvi's Education : Mr . S. Suviseshamuthu was a brilliant student , he successfully finished his SSLC in 1947.In 1948 he joined Ambur Teacher Training School and successfully completed his Teacher Training Course in 1950.Then Mr. S. Suviseshamuthu studied one year Catechist Course at the Concordia Theological Seminary., Nagercoil.[1950-1951 ].
Mr. Suviseshamuthu started his career as School Teacher: Mr S. Suviseshamuthu joined as a Teacher at Pambankulam Lutheran Primary School in 1951. During 1951- 1952 he served at the Pamban kulam Lutheran Primary School. During the year 1952-1953 he served as Primary School teacher at he Vadesery Lutheran Primary School.
Mr Suviseshamuthu joined the Concordia Seminary, Nageracoil : In tune with his burning ambition Mr Suviseshamuthu joined the Concordia Seminary,Nagercoil and did his B.Th degree course during years 1953-1956.He successfully completed his B.Th course in 1956.
Mr. S Suviseshamuthu was ordained in 1957: Immediately after having successfully completed his BTh Mr Suviseshamuthu started his evangelical cum missionary work among Muslims at Eravaadi, near Vallioor, Tirunelveli Dist.. While he was serving as a missionary cum evangelist at Eravaadi he was ordained in 1957. As an ordained Lutheran Pastor he did his evangelical and missionary work among the Muslims at Ervaadi till the end of 1959.
He passed his B.D in 1962.: His natural thirst for knowledge forced him to pursue his BD Course. As a private student he was studying his BD course and he was sponsored by Concordia Seminary, Nagercoil..In 1962 he received his BD degree from the Serampur University.
He joined as a Teaching Staff at the Concordia Seminary, Nagercoil: In 1962 with his B.D, educational qualification Rev Suvi joined as a full fledged Lecturer at the Concordia Seminary, Nagercoil. While he was working as Lecturer at the Concordia Seminary, Nageroil , Rev S, Suviseshamuthu married Miss Margret , a lovely daughter of Rev Sebagnanam on 26th June 1963.
He did his M.Th at the Gurukal Theological College, Madras: He was working at the Concordia Seminary as an efficient and efficacious Lecturer But during the first week of July 1963, Rev Suviseshamuthu moved to Madras to do his MTh study at the prestigious Gurukal Theological College, Madras[Chennai].He did hid M.Th during 1963 -1965, at Gurukal Theological College with Greek as his special subject. He passed his M.Th with flying colors in 1965. While he was doing his M.Th at Gurukal Theological College, Chennai, his first child [ son] Selwin James was born in 1964 .
Rev Suvi's wife and Children: While he was working as a Lecturer at Concordia Seminary , Nagercoil, Rev Suviseshamuthu married Miss. Margret [Daughter of Rev . Sebagnanam] in 1963 as said before.. Rev S. Suviseshamuthu and Mrs. Margret Suveseshamuthu were blessed with the following lovely children namely, [1]Mr. Selvin James Suthakar, [2] Ms. Gladys Elizabeth Daisy, [3] Mr. Prabakaran, [4] Mr. Mano.
He rejoined Concordia Theological seminary in 1965: Rev Suviseshamuthu after having passed his MTh rejoined as Professor of New Testament at Concordia Seminary , Nagercoil. In the same capacity he was efficaciously working at Concordia Seminary till 1967.
Rev. Suvi moved to Chennai : During the second half of 1967 ,Rev. Suviseshamuthu moved to Chennai with his family and joined ,B.C.T.N organization as its Programme Officer for one year on deputation on the advice of Rev Meinzen's father.
Rev Suvi again moved to Nagaercoil: On completion of his one year deputation, Rev Suvishamuthu moved to Nagercoil in 1968 and rejoined as Professor of New Testament at the Concodria Seminary, Nagecoil.
In 1969 he was at a Cross road : While Rev Suvi was working as a Professor in the Concordia Seminary, Nagercoil, he was invited by Rev Meinzen's father to join as the Project Drector of Christian Media Center in Chennai.[ The Christian Media Center's Building work was started in 1967 and completed in 1969] In this context Rev R.M. Zorn offered a tempting proposal to Rev Suviseshamuthu to do his Ph.D in USA. Rev Suvi was really in a Cross Road and experienced great difficulty to take a decision. However Rev S. Suvi decided to join Christian Media Center India[CMCI ], Chennai as its Program Director. [The Lutheran Hour Ministries started its Christian Mass Media Ministry in Madras, [Chennai.]. It was started in the name of Lutheran Center and changed its name as Christian Arts and Communication Service and again changed as Christian Media Center India.[CMCI ]. The main purpose and aim of the Christian Media Center were to propagate the gospel of Christ through the vernacular native Indian Music, Indian folk Music, Dance, Drama etc,..] So when Rev Suvi was requested to assume the post of Programme Director of Christian Media Center India, he gladly accepted the post in 1969.. Rev. Suvi was a multifaceted personalty. By his creative mind and innovative actions he led the Christian Media Center to new heights. . The concept of telling the gospel message to the natives through their cultural media was well received by the public and started to bring the desired results and receptions. Then Mr. Chelladurai was working as the Director of Christian Media Center India, Chennai.
Mr S. Suviseshamuthu was appointed as the Director of CMCI, Chennai in 1969 :: As Mr Chelladurai the then Director of CMCI died unexpectedly in 1969 , Rev Suviseshamuthu was appointed as the Director of Christian Media Center India . Thus Dr. Suvi succeeded Mr .Chelladurai as the Director of CMCI, Chennai.
Rev. Suviseshamuthu went to USA for higher studies in 1970. After assuming charge as Director of Christian Media Center , he was discharging his duties with great dedication and dynamism. In 1970 Rev.S. Suviseshamuthu was sent to pursue his 9 month Post Graduate Diploma Course in Mass Communication. Rev Suvi went to USA and successfully completed his Communication Course and returned to India in 1971.
He rejoined CMCI, Chennai as its Director: As soon as he returned to Chennai after successfully completing his Comunication Diploma Course , he rejoined as the Director of CMCI in 1971.Dr. Suvi was a multifaceted personality: Rev. Suvi functioned as a cultural emissary between Christians and non Christians in Chennai ,Tamil Nadu and South India. He had an innovative outlook and vision to use Indian art form like, South Indian Classical Music of both vocal and instrumental , Drama, Kathakalachabam, Dance-Drama, Bharathnatiyam,etc, to disseminate the Christian gospel among the non Christian Indians. He was a pioneer in this respect and was very successful to a remarkable extent. Rev Suvi used Cinema also to propagate the gospel of Christ. He produced and directed a Malayalam film by name , KATTU VITHAICHAVAN.
Rev Suviseshamuthu was conferred an honorary Doctorate Degree: In recognition of his innovative vision to spread the Gospel of Christ , using the Indian arts, the famous VALPARAISO University, Indiana, USA conferred the degree of Doctor of Law[LL.D] on Rev.S. Suviseshamuthu in a dazzling convocation function held at the Volparaiso University premises in U.S.A in 1982.. It would pertinent to mention here along with Dr Suvi, the Voparaiso University conferred an honorary Doctor of Law degree on the Press Secretary of the then US President Mr. Ronald Regan.. Rev.S.Suviseshamuthu returned as Dr. Suviseshamuthu with legitimate pride and happiness. The whole IELC and Christian Community in Chennai and South India became proud of Dr Suviseshamuthu.,LL.D. .
Conclusion: Dr. Suvisesha Muthu loved his job, as a creative personality he introduced many new ideas and successfully led the Christian Media Center and its broadcasting wing Vanmalar to new heights. After a long and fruitful service as Director of Christian Media Center India for nearly thirty years, Dr Suvi retired from his active service in 2001.. He developed a cordial relationship and friendship with all the Christian leaders and also with non Christian personalities like Padmashri. Kamalhassan and others. Reading and writing were his great companion during his retirement life. However due to old age and general weakness, he died on 14th January , 2011 in Chennai and the last funeral rites were done on 18th January , 2011.. He was very modest, unassuming, friendly, and he freely rubbed his shoulders with rich and poor, intellectuals and illiterates. Really he was a remarkable creative personality.
By P. BABU MANOHARAN, M.A, [Rights reserved. .This Article will be modified, altered and corrected if needed, later Your comments on the Article and on the subject are welcome].
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