Renaissance made its impact not only in the annals of World History but also in the Pondicherry History. Missionaries who had a great zeal towards the Spread of New Faith to the Fishing Hamlet of Pondicherry started schools and Colleges in and around which gave impetus to spread the light of literacy among the Christian population. In 1831 Fr. Dupuis entrusted himself to the evangelical works of MEP and started his missionary work through his literature and organising ability. The most talented Fr. Dupuis was recognised by Mgr. Bonnand, the Apostolic Vicar of Pondicherry, who tried to publish books on the matters related to Catholic doctrines. He encouraged Fr. Dupuis and assigned him the task of producing books related to the new faith and Fr. Dupuis became the first printer of Pondicherry. My article intends to concentrate about the fantabulous works of Fr. Dupuis towards printing the Catholic literary works in Pondicherry and it won’t be an exaggeration to say that Fr. Dupuis was the real, dedicated and unblemished service missionary, offered himself ostensible towards the well-being of the people of Pondicherry and produced in numerous books in order to bring up a kind of cultural synthesis between the French and the Tamil language. His commendable works for Tamil language is immeasurable which are highlighted and discussed further in the article. Keywords: Evangelisation, hamlet, MEP, Apostolic Vicar.

1. 1
Fr. DUPUIS AND THE CATHOLIC LITERARY WORKS
PRINTED IN PONDICHERRY
P.CHARLES CHRISTOPHER RAJ
M.A., M.Phil.M.I.M., M.L.I.S.C., M.C.A.,B.Ed. P.G.D.T.A. Ph.d.,
HEAD & ASSISTANTPROFESSOR of HISTORY
DEPARTMENT OFHISTORY
PERUNTHALAIVAR KAMARAJAR ARTS COLLEGE
K.T.KUPPAM, MADAGADIPET
PUDUCHERRY 605 107
MOBILE: 9443723327
Email Id:ccraj18@gmail.com
Abstract
Renaissance made its impact not only in the annals of World History but also in the
Pondicherry History. Missionaries who had a great zeal towards the Spread of New
Faith to the Fishing Hamlet of Pondicherry started schools and Colleges in and around which
gave impetus to spread the light of literacy among the Christian population.
In 1831 Fr. Dupuis entrusted himself to the evangelical works of MEP and started his
missionary work through his literature and organising ability. The most talented Fr. Dupuis
was recognised by Mgr. Bonnand, the Apostolic Vicar of Pondicherry, who tried to publish
books on the matters related to Catholic doctrines. He encouraged Fr. Dupuis and assigned
him the task of producing books related to the new faith and Fr. Dupuis became the first
printer of Pondicherry.
My article intends to concentrate about the fantabulous works of Fr. Dupuis towards
printing the Catholic literary works in Pondicherry and it won’t be an exaggeration to say that
Fr. Dupuis was the real, dedicated and unblemished service missionary, offered himself
ostensible towards the well-being of the people of Pondicherry and produced in numerous
books in order to bring up a kind of cultural synthesis between the French and the Tamil
language. His commendable works for Tamil language is immeasurable which are
highlighted and discussed further in the article.
Keywords: Evangelisation, hamlet, MEP, Apostolic Vicar.

2. 2
Fr. DUPUIS AND THE CATHOLIC LITERARY WORKS
PRINTED IN PONDICHERRY
P.CHARLES CHRISTOPHER RAJ
M.A., M.Phil.M.I.M., M.L.I.S.C., M.C.A.,B.Ed. P.G.D.T.A. Ph.d.,
HEAD & ASSISTANTPROFESSOR of HISTORY
DEPARTMENT OFHISTORY
PERUNTHALAIVAR KAMARAJAR ARTS COLLEGE
K.T.KUPPAM, MADAGADIPET
PUDUCHERRY 605 107
MOBILE: 9443723327
Email Id:ccraj18@gmail.com
Introduction
Try to serve God in every way and to grow in virtues is the quote that
belongs to a person who was ready to sacrifice everything for the sake of others and
wanted to give himself to the services of mankind came to Pondicherry on 9th
February 1832 is none other than Rev. Fr. Dupuis, the first printer of Pondicherry1.
The period between 1832 and 1874 was that of a Foundation Era in all walks of life
for the population of Pondicherry. It is because of the foundation of the Mission
Press, the conduct of Synod of Pondicherry, the Founder and the First Director of the
Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the establishment of Society of St.
Vincent de Paul in 1852 and the Mother of Perpetual Help Fraternity Society at
Pondicherry in 1868 as well as worked with the Father and Founder of the Indian
Mission -- Mgr. Bonnand2. Fr. Dupuis enrichment in the liturgy of Catholicism
shown in his contribution towards printing the Catholic literature which paved way
for the propagation and enthusiasm of teaching and preaching the Word of God and
eradicating the profanatory by others. My article intends to bring into light and
explore the works of Fr. Dupuis towards printing the Catholic literary works in
Pondicherry.
Fr. Dupuis and the MissionPress
Mgr. Bonnard as the Apostolic Vicar of the Coromandel Coast and the
Pondicherry Mission invited the in-charge of the Europeans and the Catholic soldiers
doing his pastoral ministry at Honsur, Mattigiri and Dassarapally in Bangalore, Fr.

3. 3
Dupuis in 1841 to Pondicherry3. Subsequently, the Mission experienced a kind of
rivalry from profanes and they were ahead of the Catholics in the press media. They
published a good number of books and booklets. Bibles and pamphlets were printed
by them and were even distributed freely. This gave way for the change of attitude by
the Catholics for they invited them by lending money and rice at 12% interest which
was the gamble of the day4. Mgr. Bonnard wanted to do away with the refutations
insisted the priests to enter into the press media. He himself wrote two books on
catechism as big and small books (Sinna Kurripidam and Periya Kurripidam)in
Tamil5. Fr. Dupuis joined with Monsieur and who have mastered the Tamil language
with ease in a short duration wrote the first book in Tamil called Veda Purattalai
Maruttal -- Refutation of the Heresy and distributed among the Catholic population.
To their surprise, publishing these books made them to face financial crisis for the
printing cost was ponderous. So, Mgr. Bonnand resolved to begin a press for the
mission. He received the permission from the Government of French and approval
from Rome for the printing press. The Government of French as a benefactor gave
an old printing machine with ink for the printing. From Thiru. Camille Guerre, the
ex-gazetteer of Pondicherry sold the printing press and the Tamil types for printing at
reasonable price. Latin types were purchased by the Mission. Papers for printing
came from France. Inauguration of the Mission Press by Mgr. Bonnard began the
publishing. Fr. Dupuis was appointed as the first manager of the Mission Press. So,
he can be rightly called as the first Printer of the French Pondicherry6. Fr. Bresillac
says, It seems to me that it is Fr. Dupuis who presently, is most useful of all to the
Mission7. The contribution works by Fr. Dupuis started and by four years, hundreds
of books were published. They were given to the local population and even sent to
Hong Kong where the MEP fathers handed them to Indian troops during the war by
the British against China. This shows the deep sense of responsibility and dedication
towards the missionary work of Fr. Dupuis8. He was acknowledged as a man of
vision. His superiors were satisfied and happy about his commitment and he became
an exemplary to the native Indian priests.

4. 4
Fr. Dupuis and the Catholic Literary works Printed at Pondicherry
Vedapurattalai Maruttal Ntjg; Gul;liy kWj;jy; and Vedapurattali Maruttal
Sanjivi,Ntjg; Gul;liy ePf;Fk; rQ;rPtp; a Catholic literary work was the first and
foremost contribution by Fr.Dupuis, though it was printed away from the Diocese
press, the re-print/re-edition was in 1858,1868 and 1898. This book mainly for the
Catholics not to believe other profane ideas. He brings into picture about the
profanes of the reformed church, identifying them as polemic and he explains in
elaboration about the tenets of the Catholic church. His words are bit harsh when he
describes about the profanatory ideas spread by other people and his sentences are
very sharp, short and clear. He intends that the readers should understand and easily
follow what is been conveyed. He defends the Catholic Church and gives examples
from the Holy Bible and other books of religious in nature.
Kadamandjari (Collection of Tamil Fables, fhjhkQ;rhp
Fr. Dupuis intended to print a book on collection of Tamil Folks and Fables
that which talked about the moral living of an inhabitant who got converted to the
new faith as Roman Catholic Christian should live a life of God fearing and prayerful
in the year 1842. This showed the real love that he had for the people of Pondicherry.
Kodun Tamil(The Colloquial Tamil) ----- NfhLd; jkpo;
Aathichuvadi Ozhukkamaalai -- Mjpr;Rtb
This supposed to be a handout where Fr. Dupuis insisted on people to follow
Charity and Almsgiving. He teaches the people to live in Holistic - understanding
that creating, performing, teaching and viewing are dimensions of noble practice. This
book was printed at the Madha Achagam / Mission Press of Pondicherry in 1844 as
he mentions the place as near the Church of Our Lady Queen of Heaven. The book
enhances with lots of information related to moral living of people like education,

5. 5
friendship, peace, charity, family and other human values that are needed to go close
to Lord, Our God.
Sadhragarathi -- rJhh; mfuhjp a High Tamil-Latin and French Dictionary/the
Quadruple Dictionary brought great fame to Beschi was printed in 1872 in the
Mission Press but it had undergone other printing version in 1824 which later was
identified by Fr. Dupuis that several changes had taken place at the hands of Indian
non-Christian editors and he couldn't verify it due to non-availability of the original
manuscript.
Puthiya Erppadu -- Gjpa Vw;ghL printed in 1857.
Gnaana Unnarthudhal -- Qhd czh;jy; a book of Feeling the Wisdom of self and
Lord God which was most appreciated by the Protestants as very good Spiritual Book
and a remarkable one for the language elegance was printed in 1842 and 1846 by Fr.
Dupuis.
Constant Joseph Beschi books printed at Pondicherry
Fr. Dupuis was entrusted the task of Beschi's works to print. So, the greatest
poetical work called Thembavani (the unfading Garland) which is an extraordinary
epic poem with 3615 stanzas long and concentrates on the Salvation history and the
life of St.Joseph. It is considered a classic of Tamil literature printed at first in
Pondicherry in the year 1851 and their reprint were in 1891,1927 and 1956.
Another work on Beschi called Notice sur la poesie tamoul le Rev.Pere Beschi
et la Thembavani printed in 1851 by the Mission Press of Pondicherry. Notes on
Tamil poetry, Rev. P. Beschi and Tembavani. - 1851,. 81.
French-Tamil grammar or the rules of the common Tamil, those of the raised language
and those of Poetry. - 1863, in-8, pp. 554.

6. 6
Gnana Kannadi --Qhdf; fz;zhb (Spiritual Mirror) - The eight meditations related
to the spiritual life which highlights about the interdisciplinary lens that makes clear
the nexus between creative disciplines and also tells about the reflexive practice that
leads to the development of independent creatives votives to God
Vediar Olukkam--Ntjpah; xOf;fk; (Rules for Catechists) where St. Francis
Xavier instituted the office of the Catechists or Kanakkappillai on the Fishery
Coast.(p.259--HCI VolII)Each church was entrusted to take care of the inhabitants
whether they follow all the rules and regulations pertaining to attending mass,
communion and confession. And he had to perform a number of duties like prayers
before the dead body, arrange for mass and visit families at regular intervals.
respectively. This was printed twice in the 19th century for the use of Protestants. It
was printed in tri-language like Latin,Telugu and Kannada. "For the kingdom of
heaven is like a house-holder who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for
his vineyard"43. According to the Gospel of St. Matthew, Puducherry had many
Catechists/Vediyars to serve the Church. They did their service in all walks of the
Christian people in the Parish. His Grace Msgr. Bonnand tried to establish a school for
the Vediyars/Catechists at Elakkurichi and wanted to place Fr. Cousette as incharge
of it but it did not materialise. He established a Catechist School at Ariyankuppam in
Puducherry on 3rd December 1855 on the Feast day of St. Francis Xavier. In the
beginning there were just three students and there was no more admission to the
school. Hence, it saw its end without any development They were paid very meager,
amount. At present, they are placed under two categories as trained and untrained
Catechists. Today to train the Catechists, the rules and regulations are followed from
the print books of those days and are given a diploma. They assist the priest in all
their services especially when new priest is appointed in the Parish and they guide
them about the Parishioner's habits, inform them about the population of the parish
and administer the liturgical duties and house warming ceremony in the Parish homes
and thereby the Vediyars are next to the priests in charge in the Parish (p.193 HCI
VolIII).
He was also instrumental to publish

7. 7
Thirubavani in 1865 ,which consist of Adaikal Maalai, VenKalipa, Thevaram,
Vannam, Thirukkavalar Kalambagam and Annai Azhungal Anthathi in 1864.
Subsequently Mgr. Bonnand left for Apostolic Visitor of all the Missions of the
country and Fr. Dupuis was nominated as Superior of the Mission during the absence.
Though burdened with Mission work Fr. Dupuis was energetic and enthusiastic
towards printing technology.
All the works except the first, have been printed at the printing-house of the
Mission, Pondicherry.
Vedapourathalei marouttel (Refutation of heresy). - Toutin, printer of the
government, Pondichéry, 1840
Vedapourathalei nikum sandsvi (remedy against heresy). - 1841; nouv. ed.,
1865,pp. 388.
Sattia vêdarpoudangueulin souroukkam -- rj;jpa Ntj mw;Gjq;fspd;
RUf;fk;(Abridgment of the Wonders of the True Religion) [These are the first two
chapters of the preceding]. - 1842
Gnanobadesa courippidam -- Qhd cgNjr Fwpg;gplk;(Spiritual Doctrine,
Catechism). - 1841, in-18.
Louttêrintialbou -- Yhj;jhpd; ,ay;G(Life of Luther).on the Character of Lutherans.
The rejoinder from the Lutheran side came rather late from the pen of Fabricius
entitled Mirror of the Papacy(p.192HCI Vol.III - About 1841
Sarittrattoukkou cadoutte niâna oubadêsa souroukkam.rhpj;jpuj;Jf;Ffhd
rpd;d cgNjr RUf;fk; Questions and answers of the little historical catechism of
Fleury, with some additional lessons [French-Tamil]. - In-12, pp. 72.
Sattia sabei paritsei -- rj;jpa rig ghPl;ir(Examination of the true Church). - 1841,;
2nd ed., 1864,.
Silouvei pâdei -- rpYitg; ghij(Way of the Cross). - 1841,.
Gnânâmirdam -- Qhd mkph;jk;(Spiritual Ambrosia). - 1841
The second edition of this work was published under the title:

8. 8
Gnânamirda tadâgam -- Qhd mkph;j jlhfk;(Lake of spiritual ambrosia). - About
1842
Anousaram -- mDrhuk; (Imitation, Manual of the associates of the
Archconfraternity of ND of Victories). - About 1843
Nantraai ninai --ed;wha; epid (Think about it). - 1844 2 Vols
Illarha outtiânam --,y;yw xl;bahdk;(Duties of conjugal life). - 1st ed., About 1845
reprinted., 1894.
Teïva paritseï -- nja;th ghPl;ir (Experience of the divinity) [Falseness of paganism
and the truth of the Christian religion]. - About 1845
Sambâchanei anousaram.--rk;ghid mDrhuk; Manual of the conversation or
collection of common words and phrases to facilitate the study of French and Tamil
[French-Tamil]. pp. 184.
Letter announcing the death of Bishop Godelle. - 1867, pp. 8.
Tourhavarha outtiânam--Jwtw xl;bahdk; (Duties of Religious Life). - 1872, 2
vols.
Meï marheï outtiânam -- nka;kiw xl;bahdk; (Garden of the true religion). - 1873,.
Work corrected and augmented by Fr. Dupuis:
Varoucha prasangam varouchattim oworou tinattiloun condâdougra sagala
artchiasichta-vergeloudeia souroukkamâna sarittiram - tU gpurq;fk; tUj;jpd;
xt;nthU jpdj;jpYk; nfhz;lhLfpw rfy mh;r;rp];lth;fSila RUf;fkhd rhpj;jpuk;.
(Life of the Saints for all the days of the year) [by Fr. Rossi S.J]. - 2nd ed., 1892, 3
vols. in-12, pp. 2166. De Rossi as Jesuit priest had written so many books on the week
day miracles and this was brought into light by Prof. S. Samimuthu, by his research
and found out the years of the composition of the books by De Rossi and they were in
palm leaves for more than a century and came in the form of printed material by the
individual effort of Fr. Dupuis as the Sunday miracles was printed in 1871, Monday
miracles in 1874, Tuesday miracles in 1875,Wednesday miracles in 1875,Thursday
miracles in 1874, Friday miracles in 1875, Saturday miracles in 1877 and also the
Lives of Saint in 1866. Special mention to be made that while the process of printing
was to start about the said books Fr. Dupuis find those information incomplete and he

9. 9
edited the mistakes, changed the names of saints in some places, corrected them and
put the original names in their respective places.
Works in collaborationwithM. Mousset:
Dictionary
Pirânsou: lattîn tamil agaradi. Dictionario latino-gallico-tamulicum. Auctoribus
duobus missionariis apostolicis Congregationis Missionum ad Exteros. - 1846, pp. x-
1430.
Pirânsou tamil agaradi. French-Tamil vocabulary. Composed by two apostolic
missionaries of the Congregation of Foreign Missions, and enriched with useful
references to their Latin-French-Tamil dictionary. - 1850, in-8, pp. 420.
Pirânsou ilakkanha noudh souroukam. Elements of French grammar [French-Tamil]. -
In-12, pp. 160.
Anda vilakka sâstirattin sankchebam koudia boumi sastira noulâdâram.
Elements of geography with a precise cosmography [French-Tamil]. - pp. 216. Boumi
sastira Soorukkam, Sambanaiyanusaaram proves that he was well versed in
theology, geography and secular fields of literature.
Dictionary Tamil-English. By two apostolic missionaries of the Congregation of
Foreign Missions. 1855-1862, 2 vols. pp. xxxii-932, xx-1113; 2nd ed., 1895,pp. 1638.
French-Tamil dictionary. - 1875, ed., 1912, p. 1250.
Comments by Fr.P.P.Xavier, as one of the successor of the MissionPress and
Archbishop S.Michael Augustine writings about Fr.Dupuis
In the book edited by Fr. K.S. Mathew named French India and Indian
nationalism 1700-1963, an article was published by Fr. P. P. Xavier on the topic
French Missionaries and Social Changes in Pondicherry in which he mentions (in his
own words)As one among the successor of Fr. Dupuis, I was eager to visit his native
place in France. He was born in the beautiful little town called Seines nearly 100
kilometres from Paris in 1806. I spoke to several people in the streets, in the shops
and in their homes. I asked them if they had heard of a missionary by name Dupuis
from this town who worked in India a hundred years ago. Most elderly people said

10. 10
they cherish the memory of Fr. Dupuis, a scholar, linguist and author of books and
that they have exhibited in their town hall the cover pages of all his books. His Grace
Emeritus Archbishop Michael Augustine in his book Puduvai Kiristhuvum Athan
Illakkiaya Thondum said that Fr. Dupuis brought out a printed book on Manuel for
Conversion - Manuel de la Conversation ou recueil de most usuels et de phrases
propres a faciliter l'etude du francais et du tamoul in 1845 and he had also
mentioned about the contributions for Catholic literary works of Fr. Dupuis in the
weekly Catholic circulation called Sarvyabi of 24/01/2010,31/01/2010 and 14/02/2010
respectively.
Conclusion
Fr. Dupuis deep sense of responsibility can be seen in his dedicated missionary
work and in the Mission Press of Pondicherry. Though he faced financial problems as
the major stumbling block and had to be answerable to those anonymous letters
against him. The transcendent strengthened him to do the sent task and Fr. Dupuis
who was the Vicar General for the three Bishops as well as a suggested candidate to
become the Apostolic Vicar after Mgr. Godelle, but his scrupulous and his definite
refusal to accept the episcopate showed the humbleness and simplicity and today
stands as a strong confidence for the whole congregation for the yeomen service
rendered by him to the people of Pondicherry. Catholics of Pondicherry were very
fortunate to have both Mgr. Bonnand who encouraged to bring out a printing press
and Fr. Dupuis through all his intellectuals brought forth enlightenment and uplifted
the one time fishing hamlet Pondicherry to a leading town in the international arena
and made the inhabitants on par with the technology of westernisation. Catholics are
really the pioneers in printing technology for in 1578 itself H. Henriques a catholic
prayerbook in Tamil was printed at Kollam. Tamil Portuguese dictionary was printed
in 1679. The printing of Lutherans in Tranquebar. This line of printing changed its
course and the good waves came to Pondicherry all because of Rev. Fr. Dupuis. Let
all of us unite and pray to him and be a witness to the process of canonization.
Notes and References

11. 11
1.Call to Asia MEP 350 years, Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary by Sr.
Sabin FIHM, article was useful and the information related to Fr.Dupuis.
2. Sampath Kumar and Andre Carof, History of Pondicherry Mission: An Outline, Chennai,
1999, pp.110-121.
3. Ibid.,p.109.
4. Ibid.,p.111
5. Ibid.,
6. Ibid.,p.110
7. Ibid.,p.112
8. Ibid.,p.113.
9. Michael Augustine, Puduvai Kristhavam Aathan Ilakkiya Tondum, Pondicherry,2011.
10. Hugald Grafe, History of Christianity in India,Vol.IV.Part 2. Tamilnadu in the
Ninteenth and Twentieth Centuries.Bangalore,1990.
11. A.M.Mundadan, History of Christianity in India, Vol.I. From the Beginning up to the
Middle of the Sixteenth Century,Bangalore,2001.
12. Joseph Thekkedath, History of Christianity in India, Vol.II. From the Middle of the
Sixteenth Century to the end of the Seventeenth Century,Bangalore,2001.
13.E.R.Hambye, History of Christianity in India, Vol.III.Eighteenth Century,
Bangalore,1997.
14. Clement Iswar,Puduvai - Cuddalore Uyarmaaraimavattam 1545-2000,
Pondicherry, 2003
15. Yacob(Tr.) Pondicherry Mission--Jean Lafrenz, Puduvai Mission Varalarau,
Pondicherry, 1976.
16. Mathew K.S., French in India and Indian nationalism,1700 - 1963,Vol.I., New
Delhi,1999.
17. Thesis by Gabriel Francis Xavier Raj on L'apport Francais A La Lexicographie
Tamile, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 1995.
18. Besse. L. Father Beschi of the Society: His times and his writings, Trichinopoly,1918.