CHENNAI: The 300th anniversary of the arrival of Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg, a German who came to Tranquebar in 1706 as the first Protestant missionary to India sent by the Danish monarch, will be marked beginning July 3.

The missionary was a person who did not restrict himself to religion. His arrival in South India served as the launchpad for several pioneering developments in the fields of education, printing and Tamil.

Addressing press persons on Wednesday, S. Muthiah, historian, said that printing, which had died out in 1674, was revived by Ziegenbalg. He introduced the first Tamil printing press in Tranquebar in 1712, from which the first Tamil book was printed.

He also started the first paper mill in Kaduthasipattarai in 1714. Describing him as a remarkable linguist, Mr. Muthiah said he authored a Tamil dictionary and translated Tamil grammative prose into Latin. He also published several books on the Tamil language and culture, he added.

His other contributions include the first translation of the New Testament in Tamil and an interpretation of Tamil culture to Europe. He paved way for enhanced Indo-German relations through his writings.

The celebrations are being organised by Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute on behalf of the National Council of Churches of India. Samuel W. Meshack, principal of Gurukul Lutheran College said that a stamp of Ziegenbalg would be released during the celebrations. Microfilms on the missionary's service produced by Halle University, Germany, will be provided to Gurukul.

Governor, S.S.Barnala, Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi and Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran are expected to participate in the function on July 3. The next day there will be a seminar on the contributions of missionary to civil society and on July 5-6, a consultation programme on postmodern challenges to Christian Mission will be held. The celebrations wind up in Tranquebar with a thanksgiving service and rededication of the New Jerusalem church where the missionary is buried.

K. Rajaratinam, director of Gurukul, said that about 300 delegates from India and abroad are expected to take part in the celebrations. There is a proposal to ask the government for installation of a statue of Ziegenbalg and restore his place in school textbooks.

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