In a first, Tamil Nadu celebrated its first Tamil Lexicography Day on November 8.
It marks the birth anniversary of Italian missionary Constantine Joseph Beschi, also known as Veeramamunivar.
He was responsible for bringing out the first Tamil dictionary Chaturakarati (சதுரகராதி).
Earlier, scholars used to document words that were in usage.
Those collections were called ‘Nigandu’.
About Veeramamunivar
Veeramamunivar came to Tamil Nadu in 1710.
He translated and explained in Latin the "Thirukkural".
He also translated into European languages several other important Tamil literary works such as Devaaram (தேவாரம்), Thiruppugazh (திருப்புகழ்), Nannool (நன்னூல்) and Aaththichoodi (ஆத்திச்சூடி).
His biggest poetical work is the Thembavani.
He also wrote a prabandham (a minor literature) called Kaavalur Kalambagam (காவலூர் கலம்பகம்), a grammatical treatise called Thonnool (தொன்னூல்), a guide book for catechists with the title Vedhiyar Ozukkam (வேதியர் ஒழுக்கம்), and Paramarthaguruvin Kadhai (பரமார்த்த குருவின் கதை - The Adventures of Guru Paramartha).