Home | Biodata | Biography | Photo Gallery | Publications | Tributes Excerpts from M. Abraham Pandither Centenary Souvenir 1859-1959

After St Peter's College became St Peter's High School, many of the headmasters have rendered exemplary service. As the first Headmaster of the school, the services of Mr Pitchaimuthu, B.A., L.T. cannot be forgotten. He showed that the service in the school, church and music were God's services.

Till 1912 the special songs sung in St Peter's church during festival seasons were printed as and when necessary. Messrs A.G.Pichaimuthu and J.B.Gnanaolivu compiled them, added new hymns and lyrics, and published them as a book with financial help from the pastorate. The special characteristic of this work is that they have captured the meaning of the original English hymns according to the poetical conventions of Tamil literature rather than following a literal word-for-word translation. The book was reprinted 3 times and finally, with new features added, was printed under the title "Festival Hymns" by Rev A. Ezekiel who was a choir-boy under Rev Blake and Headmaster Pitchaimuthu and continued his association with them throughout their lifetime.

Headmaster A.G.Pitchaimuthu B.A.,L.T. was adept at harmonizing Tamil lyric tunes and playing them on the organ. He composed the anthem, "O Lord of hosts" sung during the festive seasons The chants that he composed for the Canticles sung in the festive seasons are being sung vibrantly in our church to this day, reminding us that "though dead, still he speaks." He was also an expert in composing songs. Though only four of his songs are in the "Christian Lyrics", there are many more in "Festival Hymns." For more than 30 years he served as Honorary Organist in St Peter's church. He didn't personally teach anyone to play the organ; however, those who enjoyed the privilege of seeing and hearing him from close quarters imbibed his "style" and perpetuated it.

Since one of them served as the Honorary Organist for more than 20 years (though not at a stretch), this "Pitchaimuthu style" got established in the musical traditions of St Peter's church. It has struck roots so deeply that even the later organists, who didn't know Mr Pitchaimuthu personally, continued the tradition of "Pitchaimuthu style" in our church.

The monumental 1268 pages treatise, of Tamil Music, Karunamirtha Sagaram, First Book on SRUTIS(1917), by Abraham Pandither was translated into English (886 pages) by A.G. Pichaimuthu. This phenomenal works of the grand uncle, Abraham Pandithar and grant-father Pichaimuthu and their musicianship perhaps make us wonder whether Gift and Arul now the organist, choirmaster and conductor in St.Andrews Kirk, Egmore as well as a number of Arul's cousins Twinkle, Evelyn, Jerry and Dulcie have inherited the genes.