Love Divine 
C.V.JOHN, Drawing Master, Pasumalai,Madurai-4
Biography of Love Divine “Stage Architect” & "CSI DMR-Logo" - designer
INTRODUCTION:
Love Divine is an excitement ministry of God and it is rather treated like a charismatic Christian play which has been staging in Pasumalai by the CSI Whitin Memorial Church congregation members from the year 1942 to till date. We can proudly say that “LOVE DIVINE” celebrated its 75th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary and in the history of Christian community, it is the one and only largest “screen less open air theatre” among Asia. This play illustrates the life and teachings of Jesus Christ by enacting in the place called “Arangasalai”, foot of Pasumalai, Madurai, Tamilnadu, India by the local Christian CSI community. A gaze into the past in Pasumalai will reveal that “Arangasalai” came into existence in the early 1920s.
ARANGA SALAI:
I could say that it was the pet project of the American Missionary in Pasumalai Rev.Dr.John.J.Banninga, the Principal of the Union Theological Seminary in Pasumalai (Now Red House inside Arangasalai) and assisted by Rev.Dr.John X.Miller, the manager and Correspondent of the Pasumalai High & Training Schools in the 1920s.
There was a naturally occurring, wide and extensive hollow, which seemed to be scooped out on the eastern slope of the Pasumalai Hills south of Oberlin the missionary abode and north of the Pasumalai GST Madurai Main Road. This hollow had rugged sides, protruding rocks and an uneven bed with hill vegetation. But it presented the appearance of a sort of expansive site, suggesting to the American Missionaries the possibility of constructing an amphitheatre like open-air stadium there. Realizing this, they set to work clearing the hollow and leveling the base removing the rocks and the vegetation. Then they put up a stage on the Western side of the site heralding the birth of an open air stadium which they called “Arangasalai” in the year 1920. It should be mentioned that the “work boys who ere the scholarship holders of Pasumalai High school worked in the evenings alongwith the skilled workers in this project.
Originally Arangasalai was used in the 1920s and 1930s for holding school functions like the Anniversary and conferences of the American Madurai Mission. The students and staff of the Union Theological Seminary staged periodically plays Bible stories under the guidance of Rev.J.S.Masilamoney, a veteran Tamil play writer and lecturer in the seminary. These performances of the Bible stories were really the fore-runners of Love Divine staged to day.
LOVE DIVINE:
During 1942, a devoted American Missionary Rev.Lloyd L.Lorbeer and his wife Mrs.Elva Lloyd L Lorbeer motivated Mr.C.V.John and other community members to enact the Life of Jesus Christ in a simple way, even an illiterate can understand by the simplicity in portrait, script and songs. Actually Rev.Lloyd L.Lorbeer witnessed a play on the life of Jesus Christ staged in an open air stadium in Germany. He was so much impressed with it that he made a solemn yow, “I will organize similar play on the life of Jesus Christ in Pasumalai”. In the year 1942 and 1943 Love Divine was first staged in part, in the name of “The Dawn” the passion of Christ and the witness of Centurion inside school premises and from 1944 onwards staged full length performance in Arangasalai. Rev.Lloyd L Lorbeer rather called it as a missionary work instead of drama.The rugged placed hill was turned down as a stage by the huge hands of Mr.C.V.John, Drawing Master of Pasumalai Training & Schools. After the staging of Love Divine commenced, Arangasalai passed through a complete transformation. The unwelcoming stage put up at the outset gave way in course of time to permanent structures. The place of the high priest with the upper room above & below, natural stone steps in six places, manger scene, Palace of Pilate and the three crosses were built by Mr.C.V.John alongwith the entire stages. The sceneries and back drops by painting on cardboard or wooden reapers are the main attraction for Love Divine. In those days apart from Natural stages, various steps, the settings to be adorned with cloth, card boards & reapers. He painted on the cloth and card boards (removable) and fixes it in the stages. When you see from the audience side, you can feel the places of Jesusalem, Bethlehem, etc on real by the elegant paintings of Mr.C.V.John.
After created those stages Mr.C.V.John altered two to three times in order to suite for the “screen less natural open air stadium” for the drama of the life of Jesus Christ, “LOVE DIVINE”. Rev.Lloyd L.Lorbeer took so many photos from the German drama and he showed those photos to him. Based on those photos he drew pictures in white papers and visualizes the same stage in the “Arangasalai”. It takes one year to complete this project and every day he drafts the outline and gets approval from Rev.Lloyd L.Lorbeer and then execute the same one by one. From the year 1944 the stage comes into a full Stage for enacting Love Divine. As informed by my grandfather, I can remember two persons who accompanied him always and the one was Mr.Christopher Solomond and another one was Mr.Looka. Because, every year before the play (during Lenten days), Mr.C.V.John finished his works and used to return to his house in the mid night with Mr.Christopher Solomond, my father B.M.Samuelraj John and Mr.Looka. At those periods, poisonous snakes, foxes, scorpions, etc. are obviously seen and Mr.Looka, dropped them with lantern light upto his house. During 1957, Rev.Lloyd L.Lorbeer left America and handed over this Missionary work to CSI Pasumalai congregation and nominated the following nine Pasumalai community leaders to undergo this missionary project:
Directors : Mr.S.P.Devasigamani & Mr.T.J.Sellathurai
Costumes : Mrs.Sugirtha Samuel
Stage Settings : Mr.C.V. John
Lighting : Mr.Christopher Solmond
Music : Mr.V.P.K.Sundaram, Mr.V.Jeyaraj, Mr.John Evangel & Mrs.Jessie Durairai.
Lloyd Lorbeer was born on March 18, 1888. He died on April 27, 1968 at 80 years old. We know that Lloyd Lorbeer had been residing in Claremont, Los Angeles County, California 91711.
CVJ was very adamant in maintaining the natural trees & plants in and around Aranga salai. I can remember one such incident during 1975s, when I was 14 years old, one big tamarind tree was near the settings of Jesusalem Temple and some office bearers want to remove the tree. He said, if you want to cut the tree, first cut me and then touch the tree by holding around the tree. He is a real lover of nature.
“தெய்வீக அன்பின் திருக்காட்சி நாடகங்களுக்கு முதலாவது சீன்களை வரைந்து கொடுத்தது கனம் C.V.ஜான் அவர்கள், இவர் ஒரு ஓவிய ஆசிரியர் மற்றும் ஓவிய நிபுணர், மிகவும் திறமைவாய்ந்தவர், “Love Divine” நாடகமாக நடிக்கப்பட்டபோது தேவையான சீன்களை அவரே தயாரித்தார். இன்றைக்கும் அவரது திறமையை காட்டிக்கொண்டு, மேல் அறை அடியில் எழுதிய/வரைந்த ஒரு கதவின் சித்திரம் உள்ளது. இதை முதலில் நான் பார்த்தபோது எனது கையால் அந்த கதவை திறக்கப்போனேன்.! அவ்வளவு தத்ரூபமாக அச்சித்திரம் அமைந்திருந்தது. இன்றைக்குகூட அந்த ஓவியத்தை நீங்கள் காணலாம்.”
நன்றி ...ஜே.ஜே.துரைராஜ், அவர்கள், பசுமலை.
Last days in Love Divine:
In those days, Mr.Kalangiam helped him a lot during Love divine play time for some years. He did the works and during last years Mr.T.P.Jegannathan took charge of that post and continued the work as a good successor as for as Love Divine is concerned.
In General:
C.V. JOHN
Born: 03/01/1900
Died: 19/08/1977
Lived in : Pasumalai, Madurai
Birthplace: Nagercoil, Tamilnadu, India
Synopsis
C.V. John, more commonly known as ‘Yovan Vaathiar” in Nagercoil and “Drawing Master iyya” in Pasumalai was born in Nagercoil, Tamilnadu, India, on 3rd January 1900, into a Christian middle class family. His father was the middle class business man and doing business with Colombo from Nagercoil and his mother’s religious devotion meant that his upbringing was infused with the Christian teachings of mutual tolerance, love thy neighbors as your and respect all human beings as one. His unfair preference on caste, creed, colour, religious, poor or rich, etc are the main Christian behavior attracts by every one.
Drawing master & married life
Mr. C.V.John was born for Mr.Vethamanickam & Smt.Pakiamuthu in Nagercoil on 03.01.1900 His father died when he was a small boy and as he was the only son of his parents, he is suffering a lot during those days. But his mother took him to the level of an "Drawing Master" by Christian faith. Still his nagercoil house named behind "Pakiamuthu" near "Home Church, Nagercoil" and where his second son's (Late Mr.Sornaraj) family are still living. He studied at Nagercoil and married Mrs.Santhammal Roselet and they had three sons and three daughters. Elder daughter was Late Smt.Chandra Jeevi(Valparai Estate), Elder son was Late Mr..B.M.Samuelraj John(Pasumalai - my father), then Late Mr..Sornaraj John(Nagercoil), Late Smt.Jothiboi Paulraj (Madurai), Late Mr..J.E.Thangaraj John(Pasumalai) and Mrs. Anniebai Gnanadurai III & last Daughter (She is the only surviving member at present in CVJ's children and now @ Palayankottai,Tirunelveli). She was the first "Angel" in Love Divine in 1944 and later she was a member in English Choir for long period. Finally CVJ died in Pasumalai on 19.08.1977.
During the year 1924 Mr. C.V.John came to Pasumalai, Madurai from Nagercoil by looking an advertisement given by Mr.Lloyd L.Larbeer, Pasumalai and started working as Drawing Master in Training School and Pasumalai High School(co-education). He is not only a Drawing Master and having so many skills with him. He used to made ball badminton balls on his own, he created hand made Globes, Good hunter, etc.
An interesting narrative “Once, a DEO enters his class and after fifteen to twenty minutes, he leaves the class room and while leaving, Mr.C.V.John gave him a worthy gift to that DEO. That is nothing but the DEO’s picture in a sheet. The DEO shocked and astonished the work of drawing master.”
He used to write so many paintings of Bible words & general awareness words like “Cleanliness is more important”, “Matha, Pitha, Guru, Theivam” (மாதா, பிதா, குரு, தெய்வம்) and he gifted only those paintings to his friends, relatives and any family functions. Herebelow you can see his drawing work of Pasumalai's old Church, now inside the campus of Pasumalai Boys HSS. He never allowed playing their children & grand children during Sundays. On Sunday, after church service every one should memories the bible words and only after extradition the words to their mother they allowed to eat in the lunch. He was very sincere in his works and most of the drawing masters in that era were the students of Mr.C.V.John. He was a drawing TTC (Teachers Training Course) Instructor in those days at Pasumalai High School, Pasumalai and used to call his students “மகனே” or “மகனே “, in English it is called as “Son” or “daughter”.
He was a good licensed hunter in 1930s. After 1977 we sold the double barrel England made rifle to someone in good condition. During 1930s he built the house as “Rock-View” in Pasumalai. Rock View means, from the house, the Tirupparankundram rock full view was seen without any hindrance. At that period, no house was near the house. Surrounded by his house, only corn plants and palm trees are found every where. The house was located in “Vilachery Main Road” now it is called as “Old Vilachery Road”. In front of the house, the TVS company run city buses to Vilachery village and bullock carts are only going once in while. The 30 feet road now comes to 10 feet road because of encroachment. At that time, the local Pasumalai villagers are often arrested by the Police personals due to theft, etc. Hence, the Tirupparankundram Police officials wants Mr.C.V.John’s signature to get the bail. He is a close relative of the then IG of Police Mr.Devasakayam, Nagercoil(He was the only IGP for three states Tamilnadu, Kerala & Andhra). When he passes through Madurai, the IGP used to visit Mr.C.V.John’s house and stay sometimes.
As a pensioner, he used to get his pension from Madurai collectorate during first week of every month. When he returns from Madurai, he always buys snacks like சூடமிட்டாய், வெல்லம். வேர்கடலை. First he gave those snacks to us(grand children) and then he preserved it for the next one or two weeks. We used to steal those snacks often. But he never anger on this. But he is very adamant to fire crackers within the campus of our house. In those days, we had two cows for getting milk, pets like Dogs and Cats are always with us. He is lover of pets too. In my view I never saw Mr.C.V.John who fears on anybody or anything else. He is such a bold but humble personality. He fears only for doing sin against God. He respects people and serves the poor and needy. In those days, every Sunday, I can able to see the beggars are visiting our house in large numbers in the morning and for which he used to change the rupee into coins for them. Also two physically disabled men used to come every month and get some good amount from him. I can able to remember one person Mr.Francis a blind man and another one is Mr.Muthu, a physically challenged person. Most of the local villagers are used to assemble in the evening and share some local politics in our house only. I can able to remember some of his drawing students who are very close to our family were, Mr.T.P.Jeganathan, Mr.Gurusamy and Mrs.Vatsala (Rt. Rev.Bishop Pothirajulu’s sister), Mr.Muthusamy, etc. He wrote two books about drawing and in that period and it was attracted by many people. He was a man of all arts, simply he won many prizes in Ball Badminton, Foot ball & Basket ball. He makes handmade “balls” for ball badminton and it was famous among Tamilnadu in those days. He is a good craftsman by creating a handmade various types of “Globes” and it was used in so many schools.
As a hunter, he preserves so many photos in jungle before 1947 with other hunters. My athai Mrs.Annibai Gnanadurai told me that during 1940s to 1950s, our house was the only one in Old Vilachery Road end, Pasumalai. During night the thieves used to come to our house also, since my grandmother got so much of Gold jewels in those days. But my grandfather used to guard in the night around compound wall and fire on the clouds. Then the thieves shouted, “டேய் வாத்தியார் வெத்து வேட்டு விடுராறுடோய்” and vanishes in the dark/dense forest in Pasumalai hills. He is a close relative of the then IG of Police Mr.Devasakayam (Kerala/Tamilnadu & Andhra) and hence, he used to visit his house often, when he crosses Madurai. Thirupparankundram Police often arrested our local Pasumalai people for various cases and to get bail, they have to get Mr.C.V.John’s signature. Every day, the constables use to come to our house for this purpose.
As a lover of sweets, he was suffering from diabetics for nearly four to five years and that itself takes him from this world. I had a bitter experience, when I was doing my XI(SSLC) last batch in 1977, I have to attend “District Foot Ball” match finals against PKN School, Tirumangalam. Previous day my grandfather Mr.CVJ died and fortunately I missed his funeral service. We won the match, but I can’t able to forgotten that day in my life.
He died at the age of 77 as a diabetic patient on 19th August, 1977.
Rev.L.Lorbeer -Religious statue along a road, India, ca.1919-1943
Logo of C. S. I. Madurai-Ramnad Diocese
He was not only doing God’s ministries for Pasumalai CSI community, but also done a great work for our CSI Madurai & Ramnad Diocese. Our CSI Madurai & Ramnad Diocese logo was created by Mr..C.V.John, Drawing Master from CSI Whitin Memorial Church, Pasumalai. This logo was incorporated & approved by our Diocesan council during January 1961 held at Srivilliputhur. Actually this committee started commissioning the logo work comprises the following persons on April, 15th in 1958 :
Convenor : Mr.F.S.Chellasamy
Members : Selvi Nikelson
Selvi Barber
Mr.Raja Rao
Mr.C.V.John
Logo denotes
The Logo of C. S. I. Madurai-Ramnad Diocese has got its approval in the diocesan council which was held on January 1961 at Shreeveliputhur. In the logo the plain cross which occupies much space and the centre symbolises Jesus Christ who died, resurrected and is living.
The J.H.S. which are engraved in the centre of the cross denotes the first three letters of the Latin phrase “Jesus Hominum Salvator” which means “Jesus the saviour of Humankind”.
A Christogram is a monogram or combination of letters which forms an abbreviation for the name of Jesus Christ, and is traditionally used as a western Christian symbol. HIS/JHS is also interpreted as standing for “Iesus Hominum Salvator ” , which is latin for “Jesus savior of men”. Some uses have even been created for the English language, where “IHS” is interpreted as an abbreviation of “I Have Suffered” or “In His Service”. Such interpretations are known as backronyms. The Latin-alphabet letters I and J were not systematically distinguished until the 17th century, "JHS" and "JHC" are equivalent to "IHS" and "IHC".
The ship which is sailing in the sea denotes the Church which is the body of Christ and the effort of taking the Gospel of Christ as good news till the farthest end of the Earth.
The fish that is seen in the sea is the sign that the early Christians were having who followed the Lord’s assurance “I will make you catchers of men”. The fish was a Christian symbol. In Greek the word ‘ixthus’ (Ixqus) means fish representing the acrostic “JESUS CHRIST GOD’S SON SAVIOUR”. We can say it is the affirmation of faith of the early Church. At the time of persecution, in order to identify each other, “whether he/she believes and professes Christ”, they used to draw the figure of fish with their toe on the earth. If the other person also drew the same figure, they would come to know that the other person were brothers and that they were having the same faith, and would talk freely. It encourage us to spread this belief of “Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and our Saviour”.
The Bible and the lamp that are seen in the emblem show the knowledge about Jesus Christ and the Bible alone is the lamp for everyday Christian life. The Church seen in the symbol even though it is an Indian village Church it was made out of love for Jesus by missionary work, propagating the Christen faith and Church which holds the Bible as daily lamp; it symbolizes that it should remain within the Church unity.
With love in Jesus Christ,
S.Paul Sureshkumar, MBA (HR)
Director – Love Divine
15/34, “Rock-View”, Old Vilachery Road
Pasumalai, Madurai-625004.
Mob.:9842971959
Email: sureshshanth15@gmail.com
Website: http://paulshumanmanagement-in.webnode.in/
Jesus with children in Love Divine during 1943- 44
Thanks to Mr.Devaraj Athisayaraj, Rtd. Teacher, Pasumalai Boys HSS, Pasumalai.
Census of Lloyd Lorbeer family at California, USA as on April, 1st 1935 while they are at Pasumalai, India.
