Constanzo Beschi

Constanzo Beschi Biography

Constanzo Beschi was an Italian Jesuit priest who worked as a Christian missionary in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. The missionary who lived during the period 8 November 1680 – 4 February 1742 also gave some amazing literary contributions to Tamil language. He was also known by the name Veeramamunivar. He died at Thrissur, then a part of Kochi coast, present day Kerala where he was associated with missionary work.  He translated and explained the epic poem of Thiruvalluvar "Thirukkural" in Latin language. He also compiled first Tamil-Latin dictionary and many more works.

Constantine Joseph Beschi was born on 8 November 1680 in Castiglione delle Stiviere, Italy. He was trained in Ravenna and Bologna in the late 1600s and early 1700s and was sent to the Jesuit mission at Madurai in South India. He reached Goa shore in 1710 and travelled to south India very soon where he started his missionary work. Beschi adopted the native Tamilians' lifestyle in his life, his missionary work as well, to influence locals. He chose saffron coloured robe generally worn by Indian monks. He also visited some of the major centres of Tamil Nadu to learn the language.

During the first six years, he worked as a missionary in Elakurichy, where he served as parish priest in Kamanayakkanpatti. Then he moved to Thanjavur area, where he lived till 1738. Finally he settled in 1740 on the Coromandel Coast where he spent his last phase of life. He assisted in the construction of many churches and basilicas across Tamil Nadu and also spread Christianity. These churches have been later changed to Catholic pilgrim centres. He is credited to introducing the system of dotting the Tamil consonants in Tamil writings.

Published: September 08, 2018

Updated: September 08, 2018