B 5

In 1827, the first phase of Bible translation undertaken by Benjamin Bailey was over. Bailey did this translation effort with the help of Chatthu Menon and a few Syrian priests. Marcos, a brilliant native student soon became adept in translating the Bible and his work was personally overseen by Bailey himself.  There were no parameters for translating Bible in Malayalam. The task was made difficult by the lack of a standard language and its set grammar texts. But Bailey and his team took great pains to stick to the spirit of Bible in a comparatively unfamiliar language, Malayalam. Syrian Christians took a lot of interest in obtaining copies of Bible. In 1829, New Testament was published in its entirety. Five thousand copies were printed and distributed and it was a historical event in itself.

This relief sculpture by Venkitesh fills the panel with a single but composite image. The dominant image is that of an open book that sets the context of Bible translation held in the CMS College. Marcos is seen engrossed in the act of translation. The process is related with the open book in his left hand and the note book and pen at his right side. The work of Marcos is keenly observed unobtrusively by Bailey. His posture is erect and alert and the expression in Marcos’ face seems to acknowledge his professor’s presence.