Sourashtra Project

The ancestry of the Sourashtra people is the city of Surat called Sourashtra in Gujarat. As these people lived in Sourashtra and speak Sourashtra language, they are called Sourashtras. As these people weave silk cloth, they are also called ‘Pattunoolkarargal’ (silk people). In the year 1024 A.D. when Gajini Mohammed invaded India, these people were scattered to various parts of India. In the 5th century A.D. these people left Somanathpur and settled in Dasaavaram in Malava State. Thereafter they came to Devagiri near Malava State. Then from Devagiri they migrated to Kampi, a place bordering Vijayanagar. When the kingdom of Vijayanagar was formed in 1412 A.D. these people came to Vijayanagar. In 1532 A.D. they were sent to Tanjore from where they settled in Madurai in 1623 A.D. during the days of Thurumalai Nayakkar. Because of the support of the kings of Nayakkar Dynasty, the started living in the areas around Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal in Madurai. The Nayakkar kings of Vijayanagar ruled having Madurai as their headquarters. In those days some Sourastra families were specially made to settle in Madurai for weaving silk dress for the Nayakkar kings. Those people imbibed the culture, art, literature and life style of Tamil Nadu and became part and parcel of Tamilian people. Thereafter, they settled in various parts of present Tamil Nadu as Madurai, Salem and Tanjore, and now their population would be around 20 lakhs.

Cultural Aspects:

Sourashtra people were pious people devoted to their religion. They built their own temples and performed ‘pujas’. They worship Hindu gods. The language spoken by the Sourashtras is called ‘Sourashtram’. The present alphabet of this language was formed by a Madurai professor named T.M. Ramarai (1852-1913) who was a scholar in this language, with the assistance of the Sanskrit professor Chaturvedi Lakmanaachariyar. As the Sourashtras live mostly in the urban areas, their generations are fast progressing in educational field.

Literary works:

Some of these people played major role in Indian politics, art and literature. The Bible portions containing the teachings of Jesus Christ and golden sayings have been translated in Sourashtra and distributed to the Sourashtrians. By this literature service the language Sourashtra which had been corrupted over the years has been upgraded. Though there are many literary works in this language, many books containing biblical teachings are given to these people at a low price or even free of cost. By this many words in this language which had been forgotten in course of time have been revived.

Rev. Prof. Panneer Selvam began this ministry, Indian Bible Translators, by obeying the divine vision that God had given him. When he thought of translating the Bible into any language, the first thing that came to his mind was the Sourashtra language. At first, many efforts were taken to publish the Gospel of Mark. Bro Mohan Raj was selected as a translator for this language.

As the result the Gospel of Mark was released on 16.09.1979 at U. C High School in Madurai by CSI Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Pothirajulu. Following that, the Gospel of Luke was released in 1986, and the Gospel of Matthew in 1988. The present translator Bro. S. N. Sankar, read the Sourashtra gospel tract ‘Onedays Wat’ published by IBT, and he was glad because it was in his mother tongue and requested the IBT to send more tracts.

The Founder, asked him to do translation ministry and he joined as a translator in 1991. The translation training was given to him. The Gospel of John was released by Captain V. Siga in 1992 at the IBT Logos camp on 09.05.1992 at Stanes Higher Secodary School, Coimbatore. The New Testament was released at Madurai on 10.06.2001 by CSI Bishop of Madurai – Ramanathpuram Dioses Rt. Rev. Thavaraj David. The Book of Proverbs was released on 18.05.2013 at Danishpet, Salem in the Logos camp; the Book of Psalms was released 02.06.2014 at TELC Parish Hall, Coimbatore.

The greatest mile stone of releasing the Holy Bible in this language achieved in the year of 2022. After going through the checking with BSI, Sourashtra Bible was released by CSI Madurai- Ramanathapuram dioses Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. M. Joseph on 1.05.2022 at CSI Church of Glory, Kilavasal, Madurai against all the hindrances caused by the anti- Christians. Mr. Sankar is the translator for this project, and he is engaged in distributing the Sourashtra Bible. Most of the books are distributed, and he is currently involved in revising the second edition of the Sourashtra Bible.