11 Facts About Constanzo Beschi

Constanzo Beschi's studies included Latin, French, Portuguese, Greek, and Hebrew.

On hearing about the work done in India by the Jesuits returning to Italy from India, Constanzo Beschi was eager to come to India.

Constanzo Beschi requested and obtained permission from Superior General Michelangelo Tamburini to be sent to the Jesuit mission at Madurai in South India.

Constanzo Beschi visited several important centres such as Tirunelveli, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur and, Madurai to learn the Tamil language.

Constanzo Beschi worked in the Thanjavur area till 1738 and settled in 1740 on the Coromandel coast where he remained till the end of his life.

Constanzo Beschi helped build the Poondi Matha Basilica at Poondi near Thanjavur, Vyagula Matha Church at Thanjavur, The Perianayagi Madha Shrine, Konankuppam at Mugasaparur in Konankuppam, and Adaikala Maadha Shrine at Elakurichi.

Constanzo Beschi died at Ambalakaadu in Thrissur, Kingdom of Cochin, and is buried at St Francis Xavier's Church, Sampaloor, where his tomb can be seen.

Constanzo Beschi compiled the comprehensive Chaturakarati, a quadruple lexicon containing words, synonyms, and categories of words and rhymes.

Constanzo Beschi composed two other Tamil grammars and three dictionaries, covering Tamil-Latin, Tamil-Portuguese and Tamil-Tamil.

Constanzo Beschi translated and explained in Latin the "Thirukkural", an epic poem of Thiruvalluvar.

Constanzo Beschi translated into European languages several other important Tamil literary works such as Devaaram, Thiruppugazh, Nannool and Aaththichoodi.