Visvanatha Sastriyar (or Visvanathan) (1756–1845) was a Tamil poet and astronomer of Sri Lankan Tamil ancestry. Sir Emerson Tennent called him "the most celebrated astronomer in Ceylon".

Early life

Visvanatha Sastriyar was born in Araly in the

Vaddukoddai Vaddukoddai (also spelt Vattukkottai, Vatukotai, Vattukotai) ( ta, வட்டுக்கோட்டை, si, වඩුකෝඩයි) is small but important town in the minority group, minority Sri Lankan Tamils, Sri Lankan Tamil dominated J ...

region near

Jaffna Jaffna (, ) is the capital city of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. It is the administrative headquarters of the Jaffna District located on a peninsula of the same name. With a population of 88,138 in 2012, Jaffna is Sri Lanka's 12th most ...

to Narayana Sastri in a Tamil Brahmin family in 1756.

The Tamil Plutarch ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

, Pg 117

As astronomer

Visvanathan published a yearly almanac or ''panchangam'' till his death. This almanac was known for its accuracy. Visvanathan was praised for his work and was awarded the sole privilege of being considered "Almanac Maker for His Majesty, George IV". Sir Emerson Tennent, in his book "Christianity in Ceylon", wrote of Visvanatha Sastriyar thus: However, his predictions have also proved to be wrong on certain occasions.

, Pg 118 His prediction of a lunar eclipse on 21 March 1828 was wrong by fifteen minutes. His prediction of the character of the eclipse also proved to be wrong as the eclipse was only a three-eighths eclipse and not five-eighths as he had predicted.

As poet

Visvanathan also composed a number of poetical works. Notable among them were a Chola-era mythological ''Mavaikuruvanji'' and ''Kurunathar Killividudutu'' a panegyric on the Hindu god Skanda.

Death

Visvanatha Sastriyar died in 1845.

Notes

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Sastriyar, Visvanatha 1756 births 1845 deaths Sri Lankan Tamil people Sri Lankan astronomers Sri Lankan Tamil writers Tamil poets