Dass Babu

---

Rev. Dr. Pakalapati Dass Babu Ayyagaru
The Reverend Doctor
File:Photograph of Rev. Dr. Pakalapati Christ Dass Babu.jpg Rev. Dr. Pakalapati Dass Babu (1940-2016)
Church	Church of South India
Diocese	Dornakal
See	Church of South India Synod, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, World Council of Churches, Council for World Mission
Orders
Ordination	by Church of South India
Rank	Pastor
Personal details
Born	(1940-01-21)January 21, 1940 Khammam, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died	April 16, 2016(2016-04-16) (aged 76) Hyderabad Telangana, India
Nationality	Indian
Denomination	Christianity
Residence	Hyderabad
Parents	Smt. Kamala and Rev. Pakalapati Benjamin Prasada Rao
Spouse	Clara Kasthuri Sampath Kumari (m. 1972)
Children	Claudia Kavitha, Lydia Sangeetha
Occupation	Pastor, Editor, Journalist and Author
Profession	Priesthood
Education	M.A, B.Sc., B.D, M.C, D.Litt, D.D
Alma mater	Noble College, Machilipatnam, Andhra Christian College, Osmania University, Serampore College

Rev. Dr. Pakalapati Christ Dass Babu (Khammam, 1942 - Hyderabad, 2016) was a prolific Telugu Christian Writer, Orator, Lyricist and Theologian.

He authored several national and international award winning books, short stories, essays and radio shows besides being the editor of numerous published works. He published his first novel Jayanthi in Telugu when he was just 21 years old. His last published work was Andhra Christava Keerthanalu - Kavula Jeevathim, Keerthanala Sandesham - a seminal work on the hymns in the Telugu christian hymnal.

Dass Babu was the Director of Communications for the Church of South India Synod and the Editor of the CSI monthly publication, The South India Churchman, a post he held for 15 years from 1981-1996. During this time he also served as one of the desk editors in the Amsterdam '83 and Amsterdam '86 editions of The International Conference for Itinerant Evangelists organized by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Dass Babu was invited as an Advisor for the Communications Department of the Council for World Mission, London, an association for churches and Christian organizations in 30 countries. He was also one of the editors at the World Council of Churches, Canada Assembly of 1983 and the Christian Conference of Asia, Manila Assembly of 1990.

Dass Babu was a keen proponent of the Indian ethos and usage of vernacular languages in the cause of the Church. Well versed in English and Greek, he was also a Telugu Pandit and chose to do a lot of his writing in his native tongue, Telugu. He served with the Telugu Theological Literature Committee under the chairmanship of Rev. Dr. William Coleman and Bishop P. Victor Premasagar to translate and edit books on Theology in the Telugu language. Songs written by Dass Babu were a part of the first ever Telugu Christian L.P. Disc which was released in 1981. He was also the national director and editor of the Timothy Project which produces books and study materials in twenty Indian languages. Dass Babu was a regular contributor to Christian magazines and periodicals and also served as communications advisor to several Christian organizations.

Ordained as a Presbyter in the Church of South India, Dass Babu preached regularly and was known for his oratory and knowledge of theology.

Early Years

Dass Babu was born on 21 January 1940 to Smt. Kamala and Rev. Pakalapati Benjamin Prasada Rao in Khammam, Andhra Pradesh. He was the eldest of 8 children.

Education

Dass Babu attended what is now the Noble College, Machilipatnam. He completed his PUC from the A.C. College, Guntur. He then graduated from the Osmania University, Hyderabad, getting his B.Sc and M.A degrees.

Dass Babu completed his Bachelor of Divinity from Serampore College. He was conferred the D.Litt degree in Namibia. He was awarded the Doctor of Divinity for his distinguished administrative and theological contribution to the Church and Society.

Writings

Dass Babu embraced communications in its many forms, be it authoring award winning books, translation, editing, comic satire, drama, radio or T.V plays. His preference however was to write mostly on social and Christian subjects in his native tongue, Telugu.

Popular works

1. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass (1963). Jayanthi (in తెలుగు). LCCN 72901222. Search this book on (novel)
2. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass (1975). Bangaru Baata (in తెలుగు). Living Light Publications. Search this book on
3. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass (1980). Mother Teresa (in తెలుగు). Hyderabad: CLS Publications. OCLC 76585613. Search this book on
4. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass (2003). One church or none at all. National Christian Writers Forum. OCLC 61886357. Search this book on
5. Priorities for the mission of the church : a report of the consultation. The Synod Church of South India. 1982. OCLC 718428010. Search this book on
6. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass (1989). Iscariot Yodha sabhalo ki ouchadoch (in తెలుగు). Chennai: CLS Publications. Search this book on (Satires)
7. Walpole, Beth (2014). Venture of Faith:A Brief Historical Background of the Church of South India (in తెలుగు). Translated by Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass. Chennai: CLS Publications. OCLC 895112122. Search this book on
8. Premasagar, Bishop P. Victor; Devamani, B.S.; Wilson, H.S.; Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass (1989). Congregations in mission : Bible studies on Vision for Equipping Local Congregations in Mission (VELCOM). Chennai: The Synod/Church of South India. OCLC 602710034. Search this book on
9. Premasagar, Bishop P. Victor; Devamani, B.S.; Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass (1987). Moving communities in mission : consultation on Vision for Equipping the Local Congregations in Mission, July 20-22, 1987, Bangalore. Chennai: The Synod/Church of South India. OCLC 603371256. Search this book on
10. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass (1977). Pratibimbālu : kathānikalu (in తెలుగు). CLS Publications. OCLC 74686776. Search this book on
11. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass (1975). Bahumānaṃ : Krismas nāṭakaṃ (in తెలుగు). CLS Publications. OCLC 74687144. Search this book on
12. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass (1974). Sāhityaṃlō sāmānya mānavuḍu (in తెలుగు). LCCN 75902761. Search this book on
13. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass (1979). Śavaṃ palikina satyaṃ : viplavātmaka nāṭakaṃ (in తెలుగు). LCCN 80904239. Search this book on
14. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass (1982). Kooti Vidhyalu (in తెలుగు). Hyderabad: CLS Publications. Search this book on (Way side life)
15. Meet Bishop P. Victor Premasagar: The Church on the Move. CLS Publications. 1988. Search this book on
16. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass (2004). Yesu Evaru (in తెలుగు). National Christian Writers Forum. Search this book on - Who is Jesus ? Names and titles of Jesus Christ
17. Ucko, Rev. Dr. Hans (1996). Common Roots - New Horizons (in తెలుగు). Translated by Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass. Communications Department, Church of South India. OCLC 611000820. Search this book on
18. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass (1971). Badhyatha (in తెలుగు). LCCN 72905801. Search this book on (drama)
19. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass (2005). Christmas Sandesam (in తెలుగు). Hyderabad: National Christian Writers Forum. Search this book on
20. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass (2014). Andhra Christava Keerthanalu - Kavula Jeevathim, Keerthanala Sandesham (in తెలుగు). Global Telugu Christian Ministries. Search this book on (collection of biographies)
21. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass (2015). Malathi (in తెలుగు). National Christian Writers Forum. Search this book on (novel)

Editorial Work

Dass Babu started his career in Communications with Suvartha Vani, Vijayawada, a radio ministry program where he wrote, edited and produced radio plays. In 1971, he was appointed as the Editor of The Christian Literature Society,Hyderabad, a post he held till 1981. During this time he was sent to Japan to for studies in Mass Communication and Journalism.

Dass Babu was invited to become the Director of Communications and Editor of The South India Churchman, the Church of South India monthly by Rev. Dr. Victor Premasagar, who was then the general secretary of the Church of South India Synod. Dass Babu held this position for three consecutive terms from 1981-1996. He wrote and edited numerous articles for the monthly and also managed communications for the Synod. This role won him international acclaim and he was invited by several international organizations to serve in similar capacity. He was a Desk Editor in the Amsterdam '83 and Amsterdam '86 International Conferences of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. He was also chosen as an Advisor to the Communications department of the Council for World Mission. He also served as an Editor during the 1983 World Council of Churches Assembly held in Vancouver, Canada and the Christian Conference of Asia Assembly in Manila.

Later he became the Editor of the "Timothy Project", a project to translate Christian Literature to Indian local languages.

Prominent Titles Edited in English

1. Carder, Rev. W. Gordon (1976). Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass, ed. Hand to the Indian Plow. Visakhapatnam: The Christian Book Depot. OCLC 433840546. Search this book on
2. Azariah, Bishop Masilamani (1989). Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass, ed. Mission in Christ's Way in India Today. Chennai: CLS Publications. OCLC 24878084. Search this book on
3. Department of Christian Education, Church of South India (1993). Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass, ed. Wings of Faith. Chennai: CLS Publications. Search this book on - Sunday School lessons for Junior Grade
4. Parmar, Bishop Dr. S. K. (2004). Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass, ed. Sermons by the Rev. John Wesley (abridged). Trivandrum: National Christian Writers Forum. OCLC 67685893. Search this book on
5. Parmar, Bishop Dr. S. K. (1998). Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass, ed. Discipleship. New Delhi: National Christian Writers Forum. OCLC 428854547. Search this book on
6. Parmar, Bishop Dr. S. K. (2005). Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass, ed. Meditations on the Cross. Cochin: National Christian Writers Forum. OCLC 60387185. Search this book on
7. Parmar, Bishop Dr. S. K. (1997). Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass, ed. Christian Presence in Society. New Delhi: National Christian Writers Forum. OCLC 123757805. Search this book on
8. Parmar, Bishop Dr. S. K. (1999). Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass, ed. Dr. Stanley Jones - The Man and the Message. Chennai: National Christian Writers Forum. OCLC 123757807. Search this book on
9. Rao, Rev. Dr. Chilkuri Vasantha (2007). Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass, ed. Let the Mother Bird Go: Preservation Motif in Pentateuch. New Delhi: ISPCK. OCLC 608571969. Search this book on
10. Rao, Rev. Dr. Chilkuri Vasantha (2008). Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass, ed. Jathara : a festival of Christian witness. New Delhi: Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society. OCLC 299028522. Search this book on

Prominent Titles Edited in Telugu

1. Greek Grammar - Translation to Telugu by Rev. Dr. Mrs. Muriel Carder - Canada
2. Jesus Christ Frees and Unites - World Council of Churches
3. Turn to God - Rejoice in Hope - Official report of World Council of Churches, 1998, Harare Assembly (Telugu Translation)
4. Bibulu Nighantuvu (Telugu) - Bible Dictionary
5. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass (ed.). Andhra Kristava Keerthanalu (in తెలుగు). Chennai: CLS Publications. Search this book on Andhra Christian Hymnal
6. Bunyan, John. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass, ed. Pilgrims Progress (in తెలుగు). Search this book on
7. Sadhu Sundar Singh, Called of God - Written by Rebecca J. Parker (Telugu Translation)
8. Ramakrishna, Dr. Nataraja. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass, ed. Swargadhamamulo Swarna Kamalalu (in తెలుగు). Search this book on
9. Kolakaluri, Dr. Enoch (1985). Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass, ed. Sāhitya darśini : sāhitya vyāsālu (in తెలుగు). Anantapuraṃ: Jyōti Granthamāla. OCLC 17124228. Search this book on - Articles on Telugu literature.
10. Kolakaluri, Dr. Enoch (1972). Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass, ed. Ida Jeevitham (in తెలుగు). Hyderabad: CLS Publications. OCLC 30333971. Search this book on - Fiction.
11. Sarma, Dr. C. Radhakrishna (1971). Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass, ed. Tenugu Vindu (in తెలుగు). Hyderabad: CLS Publications. OCLC 33364405. Search this book on - Fiction.
12. Sarma, Dr. C. Radhakrishna (1975). Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass, ed. Sir C. P. Brown Sahithi Seva (in తెలుగు). Hyderabad: CLS Publications. Search this book on (Sir C. P. Brown's Contribution to Telugu)
13. Bharadwaja, Dr. Babu, Rev. Dr. Dass, ed. Venkuva (in తెలుగు). Search this book on
14. History of Israel (Telugu)
15. Wisdom Literature (Telugu)
16. Theological Word Book of the Bible (Telugu)
17. Church in India (Telugu)
18. Introduction to new Testament (Telugu)
19. Upadesha Malika (Telugu)

Other Contributions

Dass Babu was the general secretary of the National Christian Writers Forum, an organization that brought together known and budding christian authors and artists. He served as an Advisor for several publications and organizations providing them the benefit of his vast experience in the field of Communications.

Services as a UNO Election Observer

As a well travelled Pastor and Journalist from a Democratic, pluralistic society, The Reverend was an ideal candidate to serve as an election observer. He served as an observer in some of the most historic elections of this century - The 1994 South African Elections that marked the end of Apartheid and resulted in Nelson Mandela becoming the President, The 1996 Palestine General Election that resulted in Yasser Arafat becoming the President of the Palestinian National Authority and the 1994 Nepal Elections

See also

1. Rev. Dr. Dass Babu's interview on 75th Birthday on Aradhana TV - Part 1" on YouTube
2. Rev. Dr. Dass Babu's interview on 75th Birthday on Aradhana TV - Part 2" on YouTube
3. Rev. Dr. Dass Babu's interview on 75th Birthday on Aradhana TV - Part 3" on YouTube
4. Rev. Dr. Dass Babu's interview on 75th Birthday on Aradhana TV - Part 4" on YouTube
5. Rev. Dr. Dass Babu speaking at the Good News Bible and Seminaries - Leadership Conference on Vimeo
6. Noted alumni of the Andhra Christian College...

This article "Dass Babu" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Dass Babu. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

---