By Robancy A Helen
Viruthachalam, Jan 30, 2022: Father A. Pitchaimuthu, a practitioner of Siddha medicine famous for composing the Catholic liturgy in folk style, died January 30 in Tamil Nadu, southern India. He was 82.
The death of the priest, who was also an educationist, occurred at 5:30 am in Viruthachalam town in Cuddalore district, some 225 km southwest of Chennai, the state capital.
The funeral Mass was held on the same day at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of the archdiocese of Pondicherry-Cuddalore.
“I am saddened to miss a holy priest and a true human, who was down to earth,” said Holy Cross Brother Antony, Father Pitchaimuthu’s former student. “He was a great philosopher, writer, poet, singer,” he added.
Father Devasagayaraj Zakarias, priest-in-charge of Our Lady of Periyanayagi Shrine (Our Lady Maria Maggorie) Konankuppam, Cuddalore district, described Father Pitchaimuthu as “a deep spiritual person, who had great love for God and Mother Mary.’
He visited several ashrams in India, especially in the Himalayas. The experience prompted him to start an ashram called Muthu Sithar Amaithiyagam (Place of peace) at Viruthachalam, Father Zakarias said.
The ashram has a Siddha medical clinic, orphanage, old age home and a meditation center. Father Pitchaimuthu, who had a certificate in Siddha medicine, distributed medicine for various diseases and child birth.
Even when he visited Konankuppam for weekend pastoral ministry he washed his plates and dishes. During the Covid time he distributed free herbal medicines to boost people’s immunity.
“He had great regard for Mother Mary. He called her the first Christian. His sermons about Mother Mary inspired many people who came to the shrine,” Father Zackarias told Matters India.
Father Pitchaimuthu, who was popularly known as “Father Muthu Sithar,” had sung nine Bharatnatyam songs for Christmas and trained many nuns and children in music.
He was the first regional secretary for liturgical music in Tamil Nadu.
In an earlier interview, Father Pitchaimuthu said God had given him the gift of music. “I can sing and compose songs. I have gifted my songs to the world in CDs and cassettes,” he had said.
He had released 150 music albums. He had launched a YouTube channel on December 22, 2021, in his name. “I start this channel to share with others what I have received from God,” he said at the channel launch.
Father Pitchaimuthu was born on September 15, 1940, at Kovilankuppam and was ordained in 1973.
He had served as the principal at R.C. Teacher Training Institute, Tindivanam and principal of St. Ann’s Higher Secondary School in the same place.
Claretian Father Father P J Xavier, hailed Father Pitchaimuthu as “role model in many dimensions of Dalit empowerment and liberation.”