P. Solomon Raj

P. Solomon Raj (born 1921) is a pastor of the Protestant Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church Society headquartered in Guntur with major contribution to theological research and arts.^[2] The Old Testament Scholar, Victor Premasagar wrote about Solomon Raj as a Pastor, Professor of Communications, Creative Artist, sculptor, Poet and a Theological Writer.^[3]

The Church Historian, K. L. Richardson of the Andhra Christian Theological College, Hyderabad, India in Towards Self-Reliance: A historical survey of the programmes and efforts of Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church from 1927–1969, Published by D. Christopher and T. Kanakaiah, Vijayawada, 2003^[4] has highlighted the contribution of Solomon Raj with special reference to Indian liturgy and music. Richardson writes,

(Adapted) During 1960s, Rev. P. Solomon Raju contributed very much to the AELC on indigenous methods through his writings, seminars and other special efforts. Many Christian plays, Burra kathas and Hari Kathas were written in Telugu by the distinguished writers and musicians including Solomon Raj.

Much like Theologians of India believing in the Indian ethos akin to A. B. Masilamani, D. S. Amalorpavadass, Victor Premasagar, M. Victor Paul and others, Solomon Raj believes that it is only that form of Christianity, deeply etched in the diverse cultures of India, that can affect Christianity in India. While A. B. Masilamani promoted Indian liturgy in the Christian Hymnal in Telugu, D. S. Amalorpavadass advocated for vernacular liturgy. Similarly, Victor Premasagar had recognised the contribution of indigenous movements.^[3] M. Victor Paul rooted for indigenous churches in place of institutionalized ones. It is in such a setting that Solomon Raj's contribution gains credence in the light of his doctoral dissertation on the Bible Mission Movement by Father Devadas which Roger E. Hedlund writes as,

Solomon Raj shows that the traditional mission-founded Churches are really Western appendages. This is true of the Lutherans and other traditional denominations including the Church of South India and the Church of North India. Solomon Raj predicts that movements such as this one (Bible Mission of Fr. Devadas) will have an ever increasing influence upon Christianity in India.^[5]

As an artist, Solomon Raj received global acclaim. Gudrun Löwner of the United Theological College, Bangalore has devoted a section in The Oxford Handbook of Christianity in Asia^[6],

Still alive and creative is the Lutheran theologian and artist, Solomon Raj who uses batik and woodcuts, which use cheap materials that are readily available. He depicts Jesus amidst the refugees and suffering people. The artist's favourite story is John 4, where he shows the liberative message of Jesus taking water from an untouchable woman, something which is still distant reality in South Indian villages, where the Dalits are not allowed to take water from the wells of others since they are considered 'polluting'.

Early education and studies

Graduate studies

Solomon Raj underwent initial studies between 1940–1945^[2] at the AELC-Andhra Christian College, Guntur and became a Teacher. During the tenure of A. N. Gopal as President of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church Society, Solomon Raj was sent for theological studies to the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College, Madras where he studied from 1953–1956 studying under thoroughbred faculty including^[7] Professor Hans-Werner Gensichen.

Post-graduate studies

In 1964^[2] during the tenure of G. Devasahayam at the AELC Church Society, Solomon Raj was sent for post-graduate studies to the Indiana University, Indiana where he completed a master's degree in education.^[2]

Doctoral studies

When the Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham invited^[2] Solomon Raj to lecture in communication for term between 1978–1983, Solomon Raj not only taught at the College but also enrolled as a doctoral candidate and pursued research studies under the guidance of Walter Hollenweger.^[2] Solomon Raj also spent time at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.^[7]

Art student

As an artist, Solomon Raj first learnt the nuances of art through the Sunday School and later became a student^[2] of the notable artist, Damerla Rama Rao and cleared a state examination in drawing and painting. While at the Indiana University, he learnt woodblock printing and etching.^[2] As for batik, he learnt it from his friends in Hyderabad.^[2]

Career

The career graph of Solomon Raj shows him as a Teacher, Pastor, Administrator, Professor and as an Artist.^[2]

Pastor

Although Solomon Raj began his career as a Teacher, he soon became a Pastor of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church Society serving as a Chaplain of the AELC-Andhra Christian College, Guntur serving during 1956–1959.^[2] He then served at the Lutheran Theological College, Rajahmundry for a year, 1959–1960.^[2]

Administrator

In 1960, on the invitation of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), he took up the Directorship of the Department for Audio-Visual education and served in Nagpur, the headquarters of the NCCI from 1960–1968.^[2] In 1968, he moved to Vijayawada to take up a role as Director of the radio station, Suvartha Vani^[8], a multimedia project of the Andhra Pradesh Council of Churches, serving during the period 1968–1978.^[2] K. L. Richardson writes that Rev. P. Solomon Raj of the AELC who had rich experience in radio evangelism also served in the programme of Suvartha Vani.^[4]

Professor

Solomon Raj took up Professorship and lectured at the Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham from 1978–1983^[2] where he taught communication. Solomon Raj was visiting Lecturer in the United States of America during 1984–1985.

Contribution

Scholars down the line have acknowledged the contribution of Solomon Raj to theology and art.

Writings

Ravela Joseph and B. Suneel Bhanu who had undertaken a compilation in 1993 entitled Bibliography of original Christian writings in India in Telugu on behalf of the Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College acknowledged Solomon Raj to be one of the original Christian writers^[9] in Telugu. They have listed out the following works by Solomon Raj,

• in 1957,^[9] How to Study the Bible,^[10]
• in 1957,^[9] Story Telling^[11]
• in 1973,^[9] Wild Flowers^[12]
• in 1977,^[9] A Theological Dictionary^[13]
• in 1978,^[9] Christ, the King of Kings^[14]
• in 1978,^[9] The House of Worship^[15]

In addition to the books listed out, Solomon Raj has also authored,

• in 1986, A Christian Folk Religion in India: A study of the small Church movement in Andhra Pradesh with special reference to the Bible Mission of Devadas.^[7] Second edition in 2004 published by the Centre for Contemporary Christianity, Bangalore,^[16]
• in 1993, Living flame and Springing Fountain: Batiks and Meditations,^[17]
• in 2003, Fiery Wheels: Art works and meditations,^[1]
• in 2003, New Wine Skins: The Story of the Indigenous Missions in coastal Andhra Pradesh.^[3]

Arts

Art forms interested Solomon Raj since his Sunday School days and he soon got to show his arts from the later half of the 1960s.^[2] He was Artist-in-Residence in United States of America, Great Britain, Canada, Japan and Philippines (Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music, Manila).^[2] He held art shows and gave lectures in United Kingdom, United States of America, Japan, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Netherlands and the Philippines.^[2]

Scholarly appraisal

• H. L. Richard,^[18] Research Scholar, Fuller Theological Seminary, Fuller,

Solomon Raj^[19] is a gifted artist particularly in Batiks where he specialised in Biblical themes while drawing on Indian cultural symbols. This makes him a rare bird among Indian Christians, but the combination of artist and missiologist is still more rare.

• Volker Küster,^[20] Professor of Comparative Religion and Missiology, Johannes Gutenberg Universität, Mainz,

By critical spirits among the visitors of his exhibitions, the batiks of Solomon Raj are often regarded as nice and harmless.^[2]

• Karel Steenbrink,^[21] Emeritus Professor, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Utrecht University,

Solomon Raj is a true universal Christian artist blending a Christian vision with the language of International Art using for example, Indian symbols, Indonesian Batik technique, Japanese woodcut and some stereotypes of orthodox icons – all this with a powerful and very personal new style. His art works are loved and admired by many people all over the world.^[1]

• Fr. Peter Balleis, SJ, Mission Procurator, Nurnberg,

...one could hardly overlook his (Solomon Raj's) presence, which was visible in the form of a good number of his artistic works in some of our offices and corridors.^[1]

Recognition and honours

In 1986, Solomon Raj was elected as the President of the Indian Christian Art Association.^[1] In 1987–88, Solomon Raj was William Paton Fellow at the Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham.^[2]

In 2006, a postgraduate candidate at the Utrecht University, Jojanneke Dekker undertook a research on the works of Solomon Raj entitled Solomon Raj, Prophetic Artist in India: A Research on Dr. P. Solomon Raj's Art as a Medium of Inculturation of the Gospel in India.^[22]

References

Further reading

• Felix Wilfred (Edited) (2014). "The Oxford Handbook of Christianity in Asia". 
• Anand Amaladass, Gudrun Löwner (2012). "Christian Themes in Indian Art: From the Mogul Times Till Today". 
• Jojanneke Dekker (2006). "Solomon Raj, Prophetic Artist in India: A Research on Dr. P. Solomon Raj's Art as a Medium of Inculturation of the Gospel in India". 
• Kolluri Luther Richardson (2003). "Towards Self-Reliance : A historical survey of the programmes and efforts of Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church from 1927–1969, Published by Christopher and Kanakaiah, Vijayawada". 
• R. Joseph and B. Suneel Bhanu (1993). "Bibliography of Original Christian Writings in India in Telugu".