A Poet Interprets an Interpreter s Diary
This weekend s Verse Affairs is a review of Arjun Rajendran s new collection of poetry, that takes off from a meticulously kept 18th century diary.
Ananda Ranga Pillai, the 18th century interpreter. Photo: Public domain
In a diary entry on November 30, 1745, Ananda Ranga Pillai notes:
“This day, there was an event worthy of record. In the village⦠a church has been constructed by Kanakaraya Mudali⦠In honour of this, he invited, without distinction, all the Brahmans, Vellazhas, Komuttis, Chettis, goldsmiths, weavers, oil-mongers, and people of other castes; and all Europeans and Christians, and entertained them with a feast⦠Meals for Europeans were prepared at Pondichery [