 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2015) |
Muthampakkal "Sadhu" Kochkunju Upadesi | |
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| Born | M. I. Varghese 1883 Edayaranmula. near Aranmula, Travancore |
| Died | 30 November 1945 (aged 61–62) |
| Resting place | Laka St Thom Marthoma Church, Edayaranmula |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Kochukunju, Kochoonju |
| Occupation | Missionary |
| Known for | Christian poet, composer |
| Spouse | Aleyama |
| Parent(s) | Itty and Mariamma |
Sadhu Kochkunju Upadesi (born Muthampackal Itty Varughese) (1883 – 30 November 1945) was a famous Malayali Christian preacher, poet and composer. Kochoonju was a very distinctive person in appearance. He always wore a white shirt and white dothi. He was about 175 cm tall and had very thin and frail body. His eyes appeared to be piercing and his forehead was frowned as if brooding yet with a childlike impression. He always carried an umbrella and his Bible wherever he went. His saintly life, self-control, self-denial, and commitment towards social issues made him a unique person. He liked to spend time alone with Bible, to him the Bible was not a book to be read but an instruction book which should be followed in day-to-day life. Much of his time he spent in reading.[1]
During his lifetime he was known as Kochoonju which was a contraction of the two Malayalam words Kochu and Kunju. Malayalam equivalent of a preacher is Upadesi. During his missionary work in Tamil Nadu, India, they called him Sadhu meaning, holy man. Thus he came to be known as Sadhu Kochkunju Upadesi.
- ^ Suviseha Senanyikal. Page 8.