(1680-c.1746) Jesuit missionary and Tamil poet, born Castigione, Italy; died Manapar, India. He labored about 40 years on the Madura mission and became famous for linguistic and literary work in the Tamil language. He is the author of grammars of High and Low Tamil, and several Tamil dictionaries and ascetical works. His classic "Tembavani" (Unfading Garland) is the noblest epic poem in honor of Saint Joseph in any language; "Paramartaguru Kadey" (Adventures of the teacher Paramarta) is a delightful, witty satire, the most fascinating book in Tamil.