Kuruvilla Pandikattu SJ

Kuruvilla Pandikattu SJ

With the passing away of Prof Dr John Vattanky, SJ, on Feb 22, 2012, the Church and the nation has lost erudite scholar, a passionate lover and a visionary thinker. His critical or logical mind, coupled with his passionate heart, contributed significantly to a better understanding of the classical Nyaya and Navya-Nyaya schools making them relevant for our times! As a committed and devoted Catholic, he was open to the rich philosophical traditions of India. He interpreted this tradition, deepened it and made is available to contemporary scholars, both Indian and non-Indian, Hindu and non-Hindu.

Fr. John Vattanky was born on 03 July 1931 at Palackattumala in Kottayam district of Kerala. After his preliminary studies at Papal Seminary, Kandy, John joined the Jesuit Novitiate at Kozhikode on 27 November 1950 and took his first vows on 03 December 1952. He did his Jesuit Juniorate also in Christ Hall, Kozhikode, before proceeding for his philosophy studies at Sacred Heart College, Shembaganur (1954-1957). After completing his graduate studies at the University College, Trivandrum (1957-1959), he completed his theology at St Mary’s College, Kurseong (1960-1964). He was ordained a priest on March 19, 1963 at Kurseong, West Bengal.

After his priestly ordination he taught philosophy at S.H. College, Shembaganur, Tamil Nadu, from 1965 to 66 and 1969 to 70. He took his M.A. in Oriental Studies at the Oxford University from 1966 to 1969. He obtained his PhD in Indology from Vienna in 1974. Back in Kerala, he established the Indology Institute at St Xavier’s College, Trivandrum, and as its Director, got immersed in research and writing. Later, in 1982, he shifted the Institute to De Nobili College, Pune rechristening it as Centre for Advanced Indian Studies. He also served as Professor of Indian Philosophy at JnanaDeepa, Institute of Philosophy and Theology, Pune. He spent his sabbatical year to pursue his interest in Syriac Theology at Kottayam. In 2012 Fr John shifted his Institute to Kanjirapally in Kerala and continued his research in Indian Philosophy and Syriac Theology.In 2015, he suffered a stroke and became paralyzed. He was brought to Christ Hall, Kozhikode for better medical care and rest.

An Erudite Scholar, Writer and Teacher

The contribution of Fr John Vattanky to studies in Indian Philosophy has been recognized globally. His monumental work is Gangesa’s Philosophy of God published in 1984. His other writings include Development of Nyaya Theism (1993), Nyaya Philosophy of Language (1995), and A System of Indian Logic (2003). There are many more academic articles through which he shared his intellectual height and affective depth with his colleagues.

Many of his colleagues and students would admire him working hard and listening patiently to the Indian scholars (pandits) and taking painstaking notes regularly and on a daily basis from 8:30 AM onwards. He had the remarkable stamina for hard and sustained intellectual work.

The classes he taught at JnanaDeepa were highly appreciated. He had the knack to simplify the abstruse philosophical concepts and make them relevant for the contemporary situation.As a teacher he had been a mentor to generations of students, who have been inspired by his wisdom and intellectual acumen. Many of the privileged students would never forget the long hours of walk at the outskirts of Pune (Wagholi), which starts with a rosary and moves on to intellectual exchange and ends with a sumptuous and refreshing dinner. He was a man of self-discipline, regularity, punctuality, diligence and elegance.

We will peep into five of the significant books that Vattanky has authored. Through these books he has impacted the academic world, especially in Indian philosophy.

Vattanky was truly a passionate thinker, based on Indian tradition!He was a logician-lover par excellence, open to both reason and devotion. He was also open to his oriental roots, which did not limit him. It enabled him to open himself to others with a deep love for the Church, for the nation and for his traditions.

May the life and vision of Prof John Vattanky be an inspiration for us as Indian and Christians to be fully committed to our God, to the nation and the Church, so that we are fully human and fully divine! With our mind, heart and soul. He was indeed a scholar, believer and lover!