Billy Graham of the East - A. B. Masilamani gari Biography

A. B. Masilamani Biography 

  Greetings dear brothers and sisters!

            A. B. Masilamani Biography : Today I want to write an article on a Modern devotee, well known Christian Telugu songs Lyricist of Andhra Kraisthava Keerthanalu who has been called Billy Graham of the East Sri. Acharya A.B.Masilamani garu.

          Early life and Family:

            Masilamani gaaru was born on November 30, 1914, in Pithapuram.  His full name is Abel Boynerges Masilamani, his parents are Gershem Paul and Sharamma.  They are from Karnataka. Grandfathers belong to a loyal Visva-Brahmin background.

            Later Masilamani accepted  Christ and served as an evangelist.  Settled in Andhra Pradesh.  Masilamani Gaaru's father worked as a compounder at the Canadian Baptist Hospital in Pithapuram.  His mother was a teacher and she used to write short songs and teach them to the children. His mother and grandfather influenced a lot on the devotional life of Masilamani.

            Masilamani learned harmonium at an early age and entered the theater when he was in the ninth class.  He completed theological training at Kakinada Bible Seminary.  There he started writing songs with the introduction of Chetti Bhanumurthy, a Vedanta college lecturer, with a poetic influence inherited from his mother, and above all a God-given author.

            Education:

            In 1938, he worked as a Baptist church teacher in Ramachandrapuram.  In 1945 he married Vimalamma Gaaru.  He later obtained his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Sirampur, and in 1950 from the University of Calcutta, M.A.(Master of Arts), Master of Theology (M.Th) in 1953.  He got Ph.D. from Osmania University in 1973. 

            His Contributions to the Telugu Christian world:

            From 1954-58 he served as Head of the department of the Canadian Baptist Seminary in Kakinada.  From 1963-69 he served as the secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Society.  In 1974, McMaster University in Canada awarded Masilamani gaaru an honorary doctorate "Doctor of Divinity".  He had been the President of the Asia Baptist Fellowship for many years.  He is known as Billy Graham of the East.

             Masilamani is not only a psalmist but also a good writer.  He was the editor of the Christian monthly "Ravi". He founded a monthly magazine called "Grihajyoti".  He later started his own magazine "Kapari" and tried to create a sensation in the Christian press.  His novel "Pratifalam" was recognized by the Andhra Christian Church.

            Masilamani is a lover of music and literature, a good orator, and known as a national and international evangelist.  He gave a good commentary on the Bible and led many people in the way of Christ.

            His contribution to Christian literature is unforgettable.  Apart from preaching at the Andhra Pradesh Christian Annual Meetings in Vijayawada for almost two decades, the theme song for these meetings was written every year.  Chaudhary Purushottam, Pulipaka Jagannath, and Gollapalli Nathaniel were among those who influenced his writing career.

            His first work was "Namo Christunatha" (నమో క్రీస్తు నాధ ) in 1936.  The songs "Ninnu Golicheda Ra Ra Na Yesanna" (నిన్ను గొలిచెద రా రా నా ఏసన్న), "Nee Darshanamunake Yesu - Nee Dari Cheritini" (నీ దర్శనమునకై యేసు - నీ దరి చేరితిని ) were released while he was working as a teacher in Ramachandrapuram.

“రండి సువార్త  సునాదముతో – రంజిలు సిలువ నినాదముతో

 తంబుర సితార నాదముతో – ప్రభుయేసు దయానిధి సన్నిధికి”

            These are famous for all Telugu Christians in Andhra Kraisthava Keerthanlu.  He considers this song to be his eldest daughter.  In this song, he chose words with theological values. He described the uniqueness, the importance of Jesus, and made it clear that Jesus is everything to life.  Also in another song "Hey Prabhu Yesu - Hey Prabhu Yesu" (హే ప్రభు యేసు ) prostitutes are God's children,it shows the way Jesus Christ forgave a woman caught in adultery.  He explained how the dried plants sprout like wise Lord Jesus fills the life with light in the dark spiritual life.

            The most beloved song sing by all Telugu Christians is "Nadipinchu Nanava".('నడిపించు నా నావ ) When the Lord Jesus said to Simon, "Go into the ark and cast your nets into the nets," Simon was amazed to see the nets, which were full of fish, saying, "No, we have tried all night, but to no avail."  He wrote this psalm based on that scene.  His imagination in this psalm is amazing.  He describes in this way the reasons for the futility of his endeavor and finally comes to the conclusion that I obey your word.

            All the hymns of Masilamani are the center of the cross.  The anthem is informative.  All these hymns, written with experience, are full of spiritual feelings and give a sense of spirituality.  Each song resonates in the Andhra Christian world as a whole.  We are thankful to God who has blessed us with such righteousness.

The Christian Songs in Telugu has the following compositions by Masilamani garu.

Original songs in Telugu

– అందాల తార – Andala Tara

Hymn 96 – 'దేవుని నీతి ప్రతాపం – Devuni Neethi Pratapam'

Hymn 135 – 'రండి సువార్త సునాదముతొ – Randi Suvartha Sunaadamu'

Hymn 278 – 'జీవాహారము రమ్ము- Jeevaharamu Rammu'

Hymn 307 – 'హే ప్రభుయేసు – He Prabhu Yesu'

Hymn 349 – 'సంతొషింపరె ప్రియులార – Santoshimpare Priyulara'

Hymn 367 – 'దేవా! వెంబడించితి నీ నామమున్ – Deva vembadinchithi née naamamun'

Hymn 378 – 'కఱుణాపీఠము జేరరె – Karuna peetamu jerare'

Hymn 661 – 'నడిపించు నా నావ – Nadipinchu Naa Naava', This is a well-known song among Telugu Christians. Sakshi, a popular Telugu Daily Newspaper in India, noted that it is highly unlikely you will find a Telugu Christian or a Telugu Christian Church who has never sung this song.

English Hymns translated into Telugu

Hymn 65 – The Love of God (original writer unknown),

Hymn 606 – Blest be the tie that binds (John Fawcett).

 Watch this song "Nadipinchu na nava".

also, read the biography of martyr graham Staines & watch the least of these graham Staines story full movie.

                                     

            P, S,    Dear brothers and sisters here are the lists of  Top 200 Christian Blogs which can help you to grow in spiritual life.

                          Glory to God