Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-84 Prof. P.T. Chacko

Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-84
Prof. P.T. Chacko
Prof. P.T. Chacko, known for his expertise in various languages, philosophical literature, and theology, was born on June 28, 1928, to Kuryakose and Maryam in the Kallarakkal family in Thodupuzha, Thazhakkal Kaliyara. He completed his high school education at Vazhakkulam Infant Jesus School and pursued further studies at St. Berchmans College, Changanassery, and St. Joseph’s College, Thirissinappally, earning a degree in Economics in 1951. From 1956 to 1959, he studied philosophy and social sciences at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. In 1965, he secured an MA in English Literature with first rank as a private candidate from Bhagalpur University, Bihar. He completed a Doctorate in Theology at the Catholic University of Paris in 1979-80.
From 1967, he worked as a teacher at St. Aloysius College in Elthuruth and Muvattupuzha Nirmala College, resigning from these positions in 1983. He served as a philosophy teacher for a year at the P.O.C. during its early days. He is one of the founding members of the Kerala Philosophical Society and published a journal called “Vikshanam” for some time. He was also associated with Forward Press and Forward Bookstore in Muvattupuzha. Prof. Chacko is proficient in over a dozen languages, including French, German, Russian, Italian, and Greek. He has authored around fifteen books, covering topics like modern European thinkers, wisdom and insight, the soul and body, interpretations, liberation and faith, Jesus Christ, divine birth observations, the philosophy of art, the essence of poetry, and literary philosophy.
As a giant in philosophical literature, Prof. Chacko is also a profound theologian. In recognition of his contributions to philosophical literature, the All Kerala Catholic Congress honored him with an award in 1985. In the award document submitted by the K.C.B.C. in 1990, it is noted that “Prof. Chacko, who is often referred to as Jack Marrier and Jean Girard in the Kerala Church, has become a source of pride for the Catholic community in various roles as a theologian, philosopher, social critic, cultural thinker, polyglot, and religious devotee.” He possesses deep knowledge in various fields and unwavering commitment to the Church’s beliefs, accompanied by a consistent dedication to life and thoughtful literary expression.
His book “Aesthetics” has been acclaimed by scholars as a unique creation that even captures modern secular perspectives in the realm of aesthetics. P. Govindapillai stated that “P.T. Chacko’s Aesthetics” stands out among all existing works on aesthetics in Malayalam, while M.V. Devan has remarked that it is an unmatched contribution to the language. Thus, we can proudly identify this work as a significant contribution to the field of art aesthetics by the Church in Kerala.
His works “Wisdom and Insight” and the philosophical study “Modern European Thinkers” are notable contributions to the language. He has produced significant works on the essence of poetry, literary philosophy, Christianity and literature, cultural freedom, Church and politics, secular reasoning, the relationship between Christ and humanism, sex and Christ, and other valuable interpretations and critiques of contemporary thought, amounting to about thirty published books.
Despite being a controversial figure known for his strong language in modern critiques, Prof. Chacko has maintained a firm commitment to faith and obedience to the Church’s teachings. He is fluent in a dozen Western and Eastern languages.
Prof. Chacko’s wife is Mrs. Lilli, a member of the Mangatt family, and she served as the director of the Vimalahom Science Institute in Muvattupuzha. The compensation he received after an accident in Europe was used to purchase books.