I was born in Dindigul on Decmber 8, 1936. After finishing basic studies in St. Jospeh’s College, Tiruchrapalli, I joined the Society of Jesus in 1953. I completed a B.A. in languages and an M.A. in philosophy in Shembaganur, Kodaikanal (1955-61). Then I obtained the title of ‘Sangeeta Vidwan’ from Tamilnadu College of Karnatic Music, after two years of study and training (1951-63). Then I did a B.Ed. in Palayamkottai. Four years of theology in Kurseong, near Darjeeling, followed (1965- 1969). I was ordained a priest in March 1968. Then I went to Paris for doctoral studies in Theology (1969-1972). I taught theology in St. Paul’s Seminary, Tiruchirapalli (1974-1979) and in Vidyajyoti College of Theology, Delhi (1974-1983, 1995-2012). I had also been a visiting professor of theology in Georgetown University, Washington D.C.; in Xavier University, Cincinnati; School of theology in Berkeley, California; Centres Sevres, Paris; Lumen Vitae, Bruxelles; East Asian Pastoral Institute and Loyola School of Theology, Manila. I have participated in scores of theological conferences in many countries across the world. I have written 32 books in English – 10 of them translated into one or more other languages – and 2 in Tamil, edited 9 books and written 480 articles in various languages (till Dec. 2018) I have also set music to about 150 hymns in Tamil. About 90 of them have been recorded.
As an administrator, I have been Principal and Rector in Vidyajyoti, Delhi (1976-1979); Vice-Provincial for Formation for South Asian Jesuits (1979-1983); President of Jnanadeepa Vidyapeeth, Pune (1983); Special Assistant to the Superior General of the Jesuits, Rome (1983-1995); Consultor to three Pontifical Councils, Rome and to the Commission for World Mission and Evangelism of the World Council of Churches, Geneva (1983-1987); President of the International Association of Mission Studies (1989-1993).
I have been the Founder-Director of the Institute of Dialogue with Cultures and Religions, Chennai (2003-2018); one of the Directors of Blink, Chennai and one of the Trustees of Mitralaya.
BLINK, animating young students to help Celebrate Difference, has created and is administering this Website for me. I am uploading here my books and more recent articles as well as my hymns. They are free for you to use and to download since our only aim is to be of use to you so that all of us care harmony together.
If you are so inclined, you can make a donation. The proceeds will go to support the work of BLINK. Thank you.
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