Camille Bulcke

Camille Bulcke (1 September 1909, Ramskapelle, Belgium -17 August 1982, New Delhi, India), was a Belgian Jesuit, missionary in India, who reached proeminence in the Hindi language and came to be known as "India's most famous Christian Hindi scholar" [ [http://www.sabrang.com/cc/comold/dec00/cover7.htm sabrang.com] ] .

Formation

Bulcke had already acquired a university degree in engineering when he became a Jesuit (in 1930). After doing his philosophical training in Valkenburg, Netherlands, (1932-34) he left for India in 1934 and taught for five years Mathematics in Darjeeling and Gumla. Theological training (1939-42) was done in Kurseong, India, during which he was ordained priest (in 1941). His interest in the classical language in India led him to do a Master Degree in Sanskrit at the Calcutta University (1942-44) and finally a doctorate in Hindi literature at the Allahabad University (1945-49).

Career

In 1949 Bulcke was made Head of the department of Sanskrit and Hindi of St Xavier's College, Ranchi. But early hearing problems led him to go more for a scholar's than a professor's career. He felt much attracted by the 17th century's Hindi poet Tulsidas on whose writings he made his doctoral thesis. Bulcke was often invited to give conferences on the Hindi poet and his devotional Rama-songs, which he did with much enthusiasm. He was bringing people in touch with the profound values of their own spiritual traditions, and, according to him, Tulsidas was also an excellent introduction to the values of the Gospel. He obtained Indian citizenship in 1951, and - highly esteemed by the Government of India - was made member of the National commission for the promotion of Hindi as the national language.

cientific output

His life long involvement in Hindi research and translation work led him to gather material for an English-Hindi Dictionnary (40.000 words) that is still the most widely used in North-India. Till the end of his life he kept updating it. He prepared a life of Christ based on the four gospels, "Muktidata" ('The Saviour') and translated also the Bible in Hindi, as well as liturgical and devotional books. His love for the Hindi language, his imposing appearance as well as his ever willingness to help students and scholars and to listen to the simple and the distressed, gave him also the reputation of being a 'guru' and many were those who approached him for advise even in matters that had little to do with literature.

Main publications

*(Hindi) "Muktidata" (The Saviour), Ranchi, 1942.
*"The Theism of Nyaya Vaisheshika", Calcutta, 1947.
*(Hindi) "Râmakathâ, Utpatti aur Vikâsa", Allahabad, 1950.
*"English-Hindi Disctionary", Ranchi, 1981 (3d ed.).
*(Hindi) "Naya Vidhana" (New Testament), Ranchi, 1977.

Recognition

In 1974, the Government of India conferred on him the Padma Bhushan, one of the premier civilian awards, preceded only by the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan. The award was in recognition of his "outstanding contribution to Hindi literature."

References