Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-94 Fr. P.K. George Pulparambil, S.J.

Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-94
Fr. P.K. George Pulparambil, S.J.
Fr. P.K. George, a Tamil language scholar, prolific author, and priest of the Jesus Society, was born on February 2, 1929, in the Pulparambil family of Vazhakkulam (in the Edamanakkal area) to parents P.C. Kurian and Mariamma. His mother, Mariamma, belongs to the Arakkuzha Mathekal family.
He completed his SSLC from Vazhakkulam Infant Jesus English High School in 1946 and the Intermediate examination from Tevara Sacred Heart College in 1948. He then enrolled in St. Joseph’s College in Trichur for a B.A. but joined the Madurai Province of the Jesus Society in 1949 before finishing his studies, and he continues to be a member of that province. He completed his priestly training in various centers, including Bombay, Pune, and Kodaikanal, and was ordained on March 19, 1962.
Later, he obtained his B.A. from Vazhakkulam College, studying English, Tamil, Latin, and Roman History. He earned his M.A. in Tamil from Annamalai University in 1972 and completed his Ph.D. in 1979 with a dissertation titled “A Comparative Study of the Golden Age Literature of Latin and Sangham Literature of Tamil.”
Fr. George served as a priest in Lourdes Church, Trichinapally, and La Salette Church in Kodaikanal. During this time, he authored numerous articles and books in Tamil, Malayalam, and English, including four poetry collections, six prose works, and over 200 articles in Tamil. He also published a critical anthology of 20 articles in English and three poetry collections and theological pamphlets in Malayalam.
He translated three papal circulars and several documents related to Fatima into Tamil for the Thakkal Diocese. Additionally, he translated texts on the Syro-Malabar Church’s liturgical practices and rituals into Tamil.
Fr. George translated the beloved Malayalam poet Kumaran Asan’s “Vinapoo” into Tamil and contributed to translating a section of the new Code of Canon Law under the leadership of a retired bishop in Tamil Nadu. Though approved by the Pope, it has not yet been published for unknown reasons.
He served as a judge in two apostolic tribunals and led the translation of documents for the canonization of Blessed Alphonsa into Latin. He worked for two years as an examiner of Latin at Andhra University.
Fr. George submitted reports regarding issues faced by the CBCI president and other church officials, particularly concerning religious study texts and the activities of the N.B.C.L.C., highlighting the challenges faced in those areas. In recognition of his contributions to Tamil literature, he received an award from the Education Minister of Madras in 1987 and the Mukta Shri Award from the Ariyannur Aksharashlok Kala Kshetra in Thrissur in May 2005.
His award citation noted: “Fr. P.K. George is a poet who has gained considerable attention in a short period in the Aksharashlok artistic field. His witty verses have already captivated readers. The Mukta Shri Award for the year 2004-2005 is presented to Fr. P.K. George, chosen as the best free verse writer. Congratulations!”
He also served in Andaman and Sri Lanka for a time and conducted radio talks in Andaman in 1993. For 18 years, he was the spiritual advisor of the All India Laity Congress.
Having served as a Tamil language researcher at Annamalai University, Fr. George taught Latin at Baschi College, Tamil at St. Joseph’s College in Trichinapally, and Tamil at St. Seviers College in Palayamkottai. He currently serves as a chaplain at Shornur A.C. Sisters’ Convent while continuing his work in poetry and literature.
Some of Fr. P.K. George’s notable Tamil works include “Panthirupathikangal,” “Kaalam Kattam,” “Kavithai Malarkal,” “Bhakti Thullikal,” “Narkarunai Nather Anthathi,” “Ilammullankalukku,” “Kannathachil Eeyachikavi,” “Anpin Thakanapali,” “Anpin Iruthiram,” and “Uthiranthamalai