A RELIGIO - SOCIO - CULTURAL MAGAZINE Vol-2 Issue 3 March – May 2014

CHRIST TO THE WORLD CRAZE & CRAFT REACH TO HIS RESEMBLANCE SOCIAL VOICE ENCYCLOPEDIA ON CHAVITTUNADAKAM

COASTAL FOLK ART DICTIONARY STUDENT’S CORNER A LEAP INTO THE LUMINOUS

Though not born to a Christian family, I had a great passion for Mother Mary. Whenever I got time, I “Afterwards, Jesus appeared frequently visited Mother Mary’s Church at in a different form to two Maruvakad, Chellanam which is popularly known as of them while they were Velankanni Church of Kochi. When tribulations walking in the country”. increase in my life, I surrender everything to Mother They returned and Mary. When we are helpless and when we wholeheartedly reported it to the rest surrender to God with innocence faith, without any suspicion, God will show us the way. He will prove his love and concern for us. At the (Mark 16:12-13) time of my marriage, I was employed in a firm which was dealing with govt contracts. Since my salary was meagre, I had to quit my DIRECTOR BOARD job. I prayed to Mother Mary not for a job, but to start a business firm

FR. V.P. JOSEPH VALIYAVEETIL dealing with the same Government contract where I was working DIRECTOR & CHAIRMAN .But to start a business, lakhs and lakhs of money was required. But

Mr. R. VIJAYAKUMAR my capital was only Rs.1000/-. I continued my effort to start up a DIRECTOR, MARKETING AND FINANCE business. To my surprise after ten days of my prayer, a commission agent gave Mr. YESUDAS ANTONY DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS 10 bags of Green Gram for credit. I was so happy and with my two wheeler I went to different shops and sold it. Once, during my sale, I Mr. SEBASTIAN VIJU DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION & ART met a mill owner, with whom I discussed the prospects of civil supplies. He offered me 2 loads of dhal which I sold to my earlier firm Mrs. MARY LIYA DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS which gave me a profit of Rs. 2000/. That mill owner asked me whether I could have direct business with civil supplies corporation. I Mrs. ASHA YESUDAS CHIEF ACCOUNTANT told him my helplessness because for direct business we should have Earners Money Deposit and a Sales tax registration. My prayer Miss. MARIA MANAZA CHIEF SECRETARY was answered as The dhal mill owner agreed to help me with Rs.5000 to take registration and also 50,000 as a credit to take Earners Money Deposit and also promised to supply me 10 loads of BOARD MEMBERS dhal for Government tender Mr. THANKACHAN PANAKKAL I was very happy to see that my prayer was being answered. Very Mr. EDWARD soon I took a registration and entered the very next Govt. Tender. I Mrs. SONIYA ANTONY was awarded 10 loads of dhal for that tender for which I expected a Miss. JOMOL JOSEPH Miss. ALEXANDRIA SHARON profit of RS.15000/ . I was very happy to become a Govt. contractor Mrs. ACHAMMA THOMAS from nothing but prayer. It was my first contract. With great joy

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02 CHRIST TO THE WORLD - CRAZE & CRAFT

A PATH ACROSS THE SEA TO THE LAND OF GRACE

The apostles worked hard at night. Still their catch was scant. Then, they fished in further depth as Jesus had commanded and caught a large number of fish. The catch was so abundant that the neighbouring boats had to help them to load the catch and got a share of their new prosperity. Luke 5:7-9. This happiness gradually disappears in Matt 14:24 when the apostles are caught in the perils of the sea. Waves barging into the boat, sky ferociously thundering and shore off sight. They were terrified. No one came to help, even those who L earlier benefited from their prosperity. But He was there. The Lord of Mercy, the God from whom all help comes! 2 Cor 1:3. He walked over the violent waves towards the apostles who were terrified in the darkness of the sea, creating a new path amidst the consuming waves and rainstorm, to lift them up compassionately to His sanctuary.

A Yes. The disastrous rains and thunder in our lives are a clarion call of our Lord’s arrival in our midst. As in Exodus, the Israelites trembled with fear when they heard the trumpet blast and saw the lightning and smoking mountains throughout their exodus to Canan.But Moses, inspired by the Spirit rightly declared, I “Don’t be afraid; God has only come to test you and make you keep on obeying Him, so that you will not sin.”(Exodus 20:20) Now, coming to our context. R The gospel calls a believer Theophilus (Theophile). St.Luke began his gospel by addressing “Dear Theophilus”. According to St.Luke, a Theophile’s infancy is characterised in Luke 2:40, “the child grew and became strong; he was full of wisdom and God’s grace were upon him.” Later when the infant Jesus becomes an adolescent, St.Luke describes him as “Jesus grew both in body and wisdom, gaining favour with

O God and men.”Precisely the common character in the life of Jesus as an infant as well as an adolescent is His wisdom and age. St.Luke reveals that when a man acquires wisdom with age, he becomes strong and the grace of god is the base of this acquired wisdom. Our parent brings us up in years. But God brings us up in

T wisdom. He up brings us in wisdom through training. “When he has completed his training, he will be like his teacher”.-Luke 6:40.Yes, the training is the responsibility of the Teacher, our God. But how does he train? When does he train? Isaiah replies, “The lord will make you go through hard times, but he himself will be I there to teach you and you will not have to search for him anymore. If you wander off the road, you will hear him saying “here is the road, follow it””- Isaiah 30:20, 21.That God will guide us in time of dire travails is the experience of ages of forebears. You will receive this guidance only if you call for help as in Psalms 107:28- “In their troubles they called to Lord and He saved them from their distress. He calmed the raging storm and

D the waves became quiet”. These words had become true in the life of apostles as well. Matthew 14:24 explains how the apostle’s boat was ensnared in the violent sea- it was pitch dark, thunder roaring from the sky, waves of the unfathomable sea hitting hard, Apostles losing all control of their boat and there was no soul to help them. This was the situation which demanded Jesus to walk on water. There may not be anyone E to help you....No land to escape or a road you can take. Then He will come as your path He will create a path unseen to your eyes, unthinkable for your thoughts. Exodus 20:18 says, “When people heard the thunder they trembled with fear”. In our lives, unforeseen

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03 TESTIMONIALS SOLACE FROM THE LORD

SWELLING ON MY BODY DISAPPEARED.

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act" Psalm 37:5 There was a hardening on the right side of my abdomen for one year. During the time of adoration, Father delivered a message that Lord is healing a daughter having swelling on right side of the abdomen. At that moment I felt a great spark of light passing through my body and in that moment itself that swelling disappeared.

- ROSAMMA DAVID, KOILPARAMBIL, PALLITHOD

CHRONIC BACK PAIN HEALED "Though the lord is on high yet he regards the lowly"(Psalms 138:6) The first time when I came for Kreupasanam prayer, I had problem in my spinal chord and I was taking 15 tablets a day for the ailment. I was advised by the doctors to have a surgery.My surgery date was already fixed. During the day of adoration Father Joseph delivered a message that Jesus is healing people with back pain. I believed that I also would be cured and prayed. When I reached home I felt some relief from the usual pain and I threw away all my medicine into the sea. Jesus healed me without any surgery .Praise and glory to god.

- JESSY GEORGE, KUNNUMMEL, VETTAIKKAL

FATHER PRAYED. JESUS GAVE ME A NEW BREATH OF LIFE. “Behold I will cause breath to enter into you and ye shall live".Ezekial 37:5

My brother is working in Qatar. Last year, in the month of June he was admitted to a hospital due to severe cough and breathing difficulty. Suddenly his condition became worse and he was not able to breathe or pass urine and his body started to swell. He could breathe only with the help of an oxygen mask. So I called to Kreupasanam for prayer support and Father Joseph prayed for my brother. On that day itself my brother started breathing without the help of oxygen mask and his conditioned improved. - GRACY MARTIN,KALIPARAMBIL,CHELLANAM

04 ATE TO GRACE

The final exams are about to begin. Success in the Exam...Promotion to the next class.This has become a common yet inevitable aspect in life.

Now in the context of faith life, it is difficult to comprehend the lessons and home work given for the up gradation of faith. These experiences which cannot be grasped so easily can be called proverbs. Bible clearly shows the method to unearth the mystery in every proverb.

I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre..”Psalms 49:4.

Sometimes, a believer may stand baffled in the midst of his life problems. Neither intelligence nor logic might help. Luke 2:37 talks about Anna.She had been married for seven years and was widowed for the rest of her life. Bereft of a family, safety and shelter, her life became a riddle. Bible informs triumphantly how she discovered the answer to her riddle.

“She never left the temple; day and night she worshipped god, fasting and praying.”Luke 2:37.By this act, she identifies the cry of baby Messiah from a among a million babies presented in the temple in the course of time and witnessed the Salvador thereby emerging victorious in her faith life.

Lord is my portion, says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ The Lord is good to those who wait for him” (Lam 3:24-25)

05 EVEN INSIGNIFICANT THINGS CAN ACTIVATE SPIRITUAL GROWTH “Your sanctification; this is the will of God”, (1Thes.4:3)

Recently my friend got a notice from the electricity board oxygen for our spirit. Whenever God wants to glorify asking him to pay more than Rs.10,000 as the penalty for somebody, God blesses them first with sufferings. “Was committing some fraud in the electric meter of his rented it not necessary that Messiah should suffer these things apartment. He was a man known for his integrity and so he and then enter into His glory (Lk. 24:26)”. The higher the could not bear the shame and humiliation. The mischief was level of glory God has intended for you, the more severe done by his tenant. He consulted advocates, went to court the trials will be. King David transformed his sufferings and the local police and finally things were sorted out. He to Psalms. He glorified God and solved his problems with asked me “Father why do I have to face such an injustice. I a harp. God’s goal is to see that our spirit return back to wasted such a lot of my time over this insignificant issue. I Him in eternity “full of grace”. The Primary purpose could have done so many good things for the Lord with that of God behind all our issues is that we learn to seek time”. But on the spur of a moment I replied “It is not a waste and find our loving Father. That is why I often tell of time, but it is a divine thing”. He was surprised by my quick my people to be grateful for their miseries, for retort, but the Holy Spirit confirmed it again, what you felt they could “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps insignificant is a serious matter for God. He pondered over it, 34:8), or else they would not have come to the how the things that bother one can become a spiritual thing. Lord. Another purpose is, “Your sanctification; this Then he got the answer. With a broad smile he recalled his is the will of God”, (1Thes.4 :). The third one is recent dialogue with Jesus: “Lord, now I am almost free of all (Gal.4:19) “that Christ is formed in you” and your worries and cares. Will this make me lethargic in my prayer spirit is adorned with all glory and grace. life?” He was a little apprehensive that, having no problems One day I asked: “Lord, how can I dwell in your grace in life may make him spiritually lukewarm and this would forever?” In a vision I saw a thermo flask. At first I could affect his intimacy with God. Our spirit becomes vibrant by its not make out anything from that vision. But later Jesus constant contact with God. It is like oxygen for the soul. What explained to me that the high temperature inside the helps us to be in constant contact with God is nothing other flask is maintained only because of the vacuum; that than our tensions and worries. So, all the negative situations, means, our grace is sustained by the emptiness in our life small or big, are like oxygen for our spirit. – our loneliness, lacks, rejections, all the humbling This revelation was confirmed by another incident in my life. experiences, the painful incidents, hurricanes and My friend had bought six lakh baby prawns in polythene bags worries. I asked: “Jesus why is our vacuum so much co- from a hatchery afar. He came to get it blessed by me. I was a related with grace?” He gently smiled at me. Yes, all the little worried whether they would survive by the time it emptiness in our lives are the essential matters for us to reached his farm. But he assured me that they would be fine depend on Him. This in turn retains His presence in us, in because those bags are filled with water as well as oxygen. the form of grace. From the way they were swarming around I was convinced TheBible always uses the methodology of presenting that they were quite vibrant and happy in the bag. Like those before us a persecutor and a victim as a prelude to little prawns, our spirit also needs oxygen in the long journey getting blessed. The one who obeys the word (believer) of life. Its oxygen is its intimacy with God. Intimacy is will be the hero and the neighbour, will be his offender. activated by our prayer life and good works. Lack of prayer The neighbour is the one who denies our comforts means lack of power. Mostly, what compels us to pray are which we deserve and oppress us from all sides. Our the negative situations in our life. So it is as important as natural response will be hurt, anger, bitterness or

06 nothing then (Ps.23:1), so we don’t ask Him for anything revenge. But what the word says about our response is (Jn.16:23), for we ‘know’ that, “He who did not withhold (Lk.6:27). “Listen, love your enemies, do good to those His own son, but delivered Him for all of us, will He not who hate you, bless (speak good of) those who curse you, also ‘freely’ give us everything else with Christ?”(Rom pray for those who abuse you (Lk.17:4) and if the same 8:32). This is the richness of the anointing. person sins against you 7 times a day and turns back to you 7 times and says “I repent, you must forgive”. The Whenever God wants to upgrade our faith and promote Disciples knew that they needed great faith, not simple us for His higher purposes, He brings before us His special faith in order to obey this word. So in the very next verse people or situations where we have to exercise great they pray “Lord, increase our faith” (Lk.17:5). If a man forgiveness. During those times of trial it’s crucial to does the same mistake 7 times a day and says ‘I am sorry’ 7 believe that it’s God’s love and it is His master mind behind times, we call him just crazy. But the word expects us to this situation. Forgiveness is the short cut to all blessings. have such a faith to love and even feed those crazy people, In Jesus forgiveness was made flesh and dwelt amongst who offend us again and again. For that we need the ‘gift us. Forgiveness is the core of His entire ministry on earth. of faith’, which is an anointing. This enables us to obey (2 So a believer must cultivate the habit of exercising Pet.1:5-7): “you must make every effort to support your forgiveness, in order to receive the blessings in season and faith with goodness, self-control, mutual affection and out of season. Just like the diluted phosphate solution that love or else our knowledge of God and faith becomes helps the plants to bloom round the year, our forgiveness stagnant like that in (Jas.2:19): “Even demons believe that activates our spirit to bear fruit in all seasons, for then we God is one and shudder”. When we make every effort to become the children of our father in heaven who is love support our faith with mutual affection and love, God (Mt.5:45). “In this is love, not that ‘we’ loved God but that imparts us His supernatural faith that assures us “All ‘He’ loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice things work together for good “(Rom.8:28) and “He has for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us as much as that, done everything well” (Mk.7:37). The faith we inherited we surely ought to love each other too” (I Jn4:10-11). This from our ancestors must be supported with our prayer, is the essence of Gospel, real love is: it is ‘not our love’ for forgiveness and mutual respect and affection; in order to God, but ‘His love for us’. We get a drastic mind shift only upgrade it as supernatural faith. Then “we know the love when we contemplate on’ His love for us’ revealed of Christ that surpasses all knowledge, so that you may be through the cross, without this revelation from God, we filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph.3:19). We want cannot love others. Presented by, Achamma Thomas

LORD! TEACH ME TO PRAY PRAYER FOR HEALING In the authority bestowed upon me as a precious daughter of the Lord, whom he reclaimed, in exchange of the Holy Blood of His son Jesus, In the authority I acquired from my stake in every Eucharist celebrated worldwide, joining the community of saints and the audacity of Mother Mary who stood on her son’s Holy Blood flowing down the crucifix, On being shielded by His Holy Blood of Christ I prayerfully command over my illness at this moment, yes, at this moment itself my illness should leave me and I am liberated. Amen • Soniya Antony

07 ...... continued from page 3 accidents, sufferings or any dilemma generates fear within us. But, unlike the people, Moses deduced the meaning of these situations with the spiritual insight and says, “Don’t be afraid, God has come to test you and make you obey Him so that you will not sin”. Here, the same trumpet blast is witnessed by two genrs of people: • Israelites, representing the common man, feared. • Moses, representing the theophile understood it was God’s reminder to not sin. Pslams103:7 testifies this, “He revealed his plans to Moses and let the people of Israel see his mighty deeds”. There was fear in the minds of people when they saw the thunder and lightning (which signifies hardships in our lives) because they saw only the deeds of God i.e. what was happening in their midst. But Moses realised the “WHY” of His deeds. Moses could grasp the intention of God behind all the hardships that came their way. As Psalms103:7 tells, Moses knew His plans. Hence, Moses expressed humility on the face of any commotion rather than fear. “Moses was a humble man, more humble than anyone else on earth”. –Numbers12:3. Tolerance assumed on the grounds of love is called patience. When patience is filled with hope, it is called humility. When the common man expresses fear and frustration during contingencies which creates insecurity, the ‘theophile’ who realises the will of god behind these issues, like Moses, will express humility. The ability to understand the will of god in any circumstance, turbulant or peaceful, is called wisdom. Humility is a fruit of wisdom and a theophile is one who has wisdom. St. Paul declares in 1 Corin 2:16 “We, however, have the mind of Christ”.Likewise, God expects us to grow in wisdom, which means rightly discerning the god’s will. That is why the gospel reiterates the growth of Jesus as “The child grew and he was full of wisdom”-Luke 2:40 and later in his adolescence as “Jesus grew both in body and in wisdom, gaining favour with God and men.” God has a well conditioned grooming plan for us as he had for Jesus from his boyhood. This is apt for our life and not beyond our capacity. That is why Jesus said, “When he has completed his training, he will be like his teacher”- Luke 6:40, which means like Jesus. Jesus trains us in His wisdom by giving various projects which we call “our miseries”, “our troubles or “our pains”. These harsh life experiences can be of long duration and extremely painful ones or short and comparatively milder. I can be compared to the example of building a weigh bridge or a long flyover. One is a minor project and the other, a turnkey. The profit you derive from turnkey project is so enormous if it accomplished in the right way. Similarly, our hardship, depending on its intensity is the project given to us to grow in His Grace. However, our response to these problems which is God’s plan is the prime point of thought. Once while I was walking my way to Poonkavu, a woman came near to invite me to her home for prayer. When I reached her home, I was astonished to see her two children. They were completely bedridden. Their memory retarded and their body – some pounds of flesh without any motion or thought. What a plight!! For that woman, this is a turnkey project, which as she has undertaken it faithfully in the name of Christ, will yield tonnes of grace. Your projects can be your drunken husband, arrogant relatives, sledging colleagues, chronic ailments etc.Here St.Paul gives the right attitude-“Ask god to bless those who persecute you –yes, ask him to bless and not to curse”-Roman 12:14. Roman 8:28 tells, “we know that in all things, God works for good with those who love him, those he has called according to His purpose.” It should be read along with Jeremiah 29:11, “I alone know the plan I have for you, plan to bring you prosperity not disaster, the plan to bring about the future you hope for”. When you undertake these projects faithfully, you pile up riches in God’s sight (Luke 12:21).But, those who consider material and self above His Will should know what the Lord has spoken: “they rebel against me. They follow plans that I did not make and sign treaties against my will, piling one sin on another.”- Isaiah 30:1. Let the loving Lord guide you in His way to enrich your grace in His spirit with faith, love and hope

Fr. V.P.Joseph Valiyaveettil

08 REACH TO HIS RESEMBLANCE

Xavier told me very sadly,” I’m not able to go to office. A man, there, hurts me all the time. He is highly influential there. All the time I had to face allegations and shoutings’. I have had enough. I’m thinking of resigning from work.”After a brief counselling Xavier was happy .I told him, “you always targeted your energy on your enemy, the one who disrupted your promotion in work, the one who throws allegations at you and bullies you, whoever it is, X or Y....Is he really your enemy?” Xavier thought for a while. I continued, “You are your own enemy. When such situations arise you should keep yourselves under scrutiny.” He wondered why..!!!

Let our enemy be X .We can punish him in three ways: Firstly, in the order of hell. Next, in the order of the world. Otherwise, in the order of heaven. If you follow the order of hell you can destroy him and avenge on him. “The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy”. (John 10:10).If you follow the order of the world, you can revenge in the human way i.e., through enmity, fight, jealousy, anger, intolerance, racism. (Galatians 5:20).If you follow the order of heaven .i.e. according to Luke 17:21 “if the kingdom of god is within you”, you would ask God to bless those who persecute you.-Roman 12:14.This will either transform your enemy to good or he will pass away from your space.

By now, X has changed and a new problem, say Y, arises in its place. It is more intense that the previous one, X. We get agitated and target our energy to solve Y. Our mind gets weary and concerned when we continuously encounter adversities, men or matter. It is reflected on our face and actions. Hence, the point of rectification is not the adversities but our mind. David, the king, went up the Mount of Olives weeping when he lost his kingdom to Absalom. “He walked barefoot and had his head covered as a sign of grief.” (2 Samuel 15:30).But the Lord’s servant personifying Jesus Christ was not shaken nor drowned in grief when he was tortured excruciatingly. There was no trace of indignity on his face.

“I bared my back to those who beat me. I did not stop them when they insulted me, when they pulled out the hairs of my beard and spat on my face.” (Isaiah50:6)

He was crucified, yet he stands powerfully resurrected.

We praise you, Lord!!

Let your Anointing power fill me now. Empower me! Anoint me! to overcome all failures, neglect, allegations, and blame like you. Brace my heart as in Isaiah50:7 so that I’m incapable of being indignified. It is not my enemies who need change. It is I. My mind, my heart, my face that should be braced in your spirit. Grace me to pray for my enemies, so that they may change to good. But I know, one trouble follows the other and it is never ending. Hence, Oh Lord! Replace my stone heart with a graced new heart that can tolerate enmity and adversities.

Presented by, Maria Manaza

09 covered even if I sell my small house . I was given a time of ...... continued from page 2 one week for the repayment or replace the rejected loads. I started my supply to Government. Everything was going At that time my wife had gone to her house as we were smoothly until my miller supplied me 3 loads, but expecting our second child. I sat alone at my house, suddenly the market for dhal fluctuated and it boomed . prayed and thought this would be the last day in my Remaining 7 loads were not supplied by the miller and he house. Next day I went to the bank. The balance in the told that it was profitable for him to sell the remaining 7 account was 60000 and I took an amount of 57000/. loads to local market which would fetch him 10 lakhs I went to Maruvakad church, gave 55000/- to parish profit and he directed me to not supply the remaining priest and told Father that please take the loads to Government .He told me that nonsupply penalty sponsorship amount now itself as I don’t know of Rs 3.5 lakhs to Government may be deducted from where I'll be at the time of feast. I feared that I his payment for 3 loads which he has supplied .I was would be prosecuted as it was impossible for me to totally upset as this was the first contract which was failed repay or replace the rejected loads. Then I went to , there was no hope seen for the next months contract the chapel and told Mother Mary, “I thank you for other than to stop the business .But if we are with Jesus allowing me to keep my words to you. I there is sure glorified resurrection after a death. The same surrendered myself. With Rs.2000/- I left the church. I month, as a miracle, the Government introduced an order never spoke of the situation I was going through even to to encourage new contractors saying that all the penalties my family or friends but my Mother Mary knew my will be refunded for first contract. My penalties were sorrow of my heart. She pleaded for me to Jesus as in waved off and the deducted amount was refunded and a Cana. Whole situation changed within few days. The very capital of Rs.3 and half lakhs became the source for next month I took tender and to my surprise I was able to carrying out the business. God gave me the capital and I gain lakhs of rupees as profit. Until that month every was able to expand my business. Within a span of three tender I used to make a profit of hardly Rs.50000.God has years I was able to earn 25 lakhs. revealed his love for me. When I was alone Mother Mary As usual, I went to Maruvakad church. Whenever I went has kept me in the track of faith .I gave preference to God. there, I used to meet a person named Anto, who was a Within few months, my business went up and I was great devotee of Mother Mary. He always prayed by upgraded by God as one of the leading Government kneeling down on sharp stones. That day when I was contractor. praying at Maruvakad, Anto told me that no one was Mother Mary’s feast day came. Since my son was there to sponsor Mother Mary’s Feast this year. I asked the hospitalized, I couldn’t go for the feast. So I asked my vicar, whether being a non-Christian I could celebrate it. friend Anto whom I used to meet at Maruvakad Church Father was very happy. The feast was after 6 months and to organise the feast. Then Anto revealed that since 5 the amount would come up to 50,000. I went back after years he was praying kneeling on stones to get an giving my name and address to Priest. Business was going opportunity to organize Mother Mary’s feast. All these as usual. After one month, Government administration showed the God’s Power. He helps us in all unfavourable rules changed. As part of changing systems, some of the situations. loads of my contract was rejected and loss came up to an R. Vijayakumar amount of 60 lakhs, a huge amount which cannot be COIMBATORE

10 SOCIAL VOICE

A dream comes true for the cultural arena of coastal life -Ancient boat to be preserved at excavation site

History on the excavation of Thaikkal ship Fifteen years after the discovery of a wooden plank beneath a paddy field led to the unearthing of what is believed to be a 1,010-year-old sail ship at Thaikkal in Kadakarapally near Cherthala where steps are being taken for acquisition of the site and construction of a site museum there to preserve the ancient vessel. The plank , believe to be the mast of the ship, was unearthed in 1994 by a couple of agricultural labourers tilling the paddy field about 2 km from the sea. However, it took a long struggle by the locals, led by Fr. V.P. Joseph Valiyaveetil, for the government and archaeology experts to decide to delve into the secrets of the vessel. Excavations by archaeology officials were conducted from 2001, but lost steam and were called off in 2003, after nearly 35 feet of the vessel, the hull of which is missing, was uncovered. Fr. Joseph and the locals did not lose hope, and with the help of a few foreign archaeologists, succeeded in getting a portion of the vessel carbon-dated to decide its antiquity. Once they were sure that the vessel was indeed antique, with analysis showing that it could be up to 1,010 years old, they demanded that the government set up a site museum so that the vessel could be preserved and in turn, find a place amongst the rare marine archaeological specimens the country has. The ship was excavated in 2002. A trench, 30-metre long, 12-metre wide and 5-metre deep, was dug around the vessel. Archaeologists had recovered several artefacts and animal remains from the ship. The artefacts and the wood used to make the ship were subjected to dating tests, including C-14 dating tests, to calculate the age of the ship.“The ship could have come here when the Thaikkal port was active and when the region had trade relations with Portugal, the Dutch, Rome and even Greece,” says Fr. Joseph. It is likely to be preserved at the site itself, modelled after a similar project in Denmark. The ship is at present lying at the excavated site itself. Sensing its historical significance, international experts are conducting research studies on its history, especially of India’s maritime history. A large portion of the vessel, including its hull, is intact. The vessel has been made of sturdy local wood, but the technique used in making this vessel is not Indian. In India, the planks were tied together with a rope to build a ship. But the sail ship that was excavated was built by attaching the planks with some adhesives. It is believed

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BACK FROM THE PAST: A file photo of the excavation works at Thaikkal in Alappuzha, where remnants of an ancient ship were found.

11 CULTURAL MISSION

A visual exploration to the world of folk arts- a golden feather added to Kreupasanam National Heritage Study Centre. Department of Bharathanatyam, St.Teresa’s college organised a two day international workshop –Natyakeli 2014, in association with National Heritage Study centre, Kreupasanam. The workshop created a new insight to young generation. Inaugurated by His Grace Most Rev.Dr.Francis Kallarackal, the workshop was presided by Dr.Helan A.P, Principal, St.Teresa’s College, Ernakulam. Fr.V.P.Joseph Valiyaveetil was the chief speaker. In the inaugural Address, His Grace highlighted the importance of art and culture for societal upliftment and for sustaining human values. Fr.V.P.Joseph, in his key note address remarked that there is scope for creative experiments and presentation in art and folk when it is identified as the essence of our self. To understand the historical significance of our language, it is essential to know the ancient coastal art and literature. Chavittunadakam, a chief Christian folk art introduces the language and culture that existed in our land from the 16th century. The workshop witnessed the Chavittunadakam performance’ Charlemagne the Great’, which was a colourful extravaganza quite unfamiliar to the present generation.

V.P.ACHAN’S ENCYCLOPEDIA ON CHAVITTUNADAKAM Chavittunadakam- Backstage, Scaffold and performance Debut and Gusto There should not be wide gap between the actors and viewers. But a range limit is required for viewing the performance. A concept of Koothambalam is taken in Natyasasthra . Eight hand points (72 cm) was considered as one rod. Eight rod width and Eight rod height Rangapeedom (Stage). In the middle of the stage, a lamp is set which has a height up to the actors vest. Since the lamp is tall , we could view the face of the actor and his mudras. The flame of the lamp creates an atmosphere of heavenly presence as well as illusionary effects. Bright colours are used to create a character. The Rangapeedom stands out along with the performance. The need of the hour is the sustenance of the art form and not the experiments. Stages (scaffold) The traditional costumes and performance of Chavittunadakam relates to Greek influenced Italian theatre or to Anglican theatre. At the two ends of Chavittunadaka stage, there will be a decorated stair way which is connected by a ladder and its height is 6 to 8 feet. Greek stage and Chavittunadakam- the European missionaries who had the essence of Greek theatre and the traditional Christians who were connected to military life together contributed the stage for Chavittunadakam. The wide stage set on a open area ground with maximum 4 feet height , less width, the background with royalty, open doors , the master who is near to the playback singers, costumes, performances ,- all these highlight the true depiction of Greco-Roman theatre.

Copyright@ Fr. V.P. Joseph Valiyaveetil. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by means of electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of Fr. V.P. Joseph Valiyaveetil.

12 War- an essential element War is an essential element in Chavittunadakam like other traditional fencing art forms and koodiyattom. War between different groups of 50-60 artists is a normal performance. Even in , war is a crucial part. Usually sharp sword are used in wars. But in art forms, swords made of bronze and other materials were used. Earlier actors had to train for all the martial steps for the performance. Later , only fighting steps was given training for performing the art. Hunting and war became indispensable in Chavittunadakam. Only after continuous practice and training that an actor can perform well, in its original form. - Presented by, Mary Liya

COASTAL FOLK ART DICTIONARY- a new beacon to the world literature Annavi songs Folk songs of Christianity, the are also known as “maundy hymns”. It was popular among the coastal people residing from Kollam to Chavakkad. During the Lent season, a group of people move from house to house singing these songs. The Cruxification and sufferings of Jesus form the essence of these songs. The songs are devotions to Mother Mary too. So it is also known as Mother Mary devotional hymns. It is related to Buddhist traditional songs which are popularly known as Pichapattukal”. It is a truly devotional ritual song, which is influenced by Tamil literature and music. Ritual Arts In coastal areas, ritualistic art form “Slama carol” is very popular.For pleasing the deity, for gaining wealth or prosperity or for having children, earlier days various rituals were conducted. These are ritual arts. The main theme is related to religion and social beliefs. As these are ritualistic, it is not simply an art form. Highly blended with rituals, the art form cannot be considered as a separate independent form, as it loses its importance. , Thira, Poorakkalli, are some of the ritualistic art forms (Continued in next issue....) ...... continued from page 11 that the ship was made either in China, Japan, Egypt or some Arab country. In the 12th century, lots of people from these countries used to come to the coast for trading. For centuries Roman, Chinese, Arab, Portuguese, French, Dutch, British and Jewish merchants came to Kerala in search of the state’s fabled spices. The ship’s discovery has elicited considerable international attention. Professor Ralph Pederson, a marine archaeologist from the Nautical Archaeology Division of the Texas A&M University visited the excavation site. A team of researchers from the Southampton University visited the excavation site. The researchers working under Dr Lucy Blue, a specialist in maritime archaeology at the university’s Centre for Marine Archaeology, spent several days at the site.

Importance of setting up an Archaeological Museum at Thaikal Historical aspect 1. Thaikal harbour and related museum will trace out the trade links that was disappeared into history 2. It will serve as a permanent monument for Indian naval trade history Tourism 1. A great source of attraction to tourists as the museum will open up new historical evidences and remain as a monument 2. The museum is near to all other tourist destinations, which adds more vigour Educational aspect 1. Archaeological, historical studies can be conducted 2. A destination which will enhance more knowledge for traditions, history and culture. 3. It covers the real cultural life of people. Presented by, Liya Viju 13 The dream of Edwin

R t was a cold winter night. Edwin Gomas was sleeping in his couch near the fireplace. Exhausted, he slipped into the dreaming corners E I of deep sleep. He saw a dream. “ He could see a long queue of men stretching to the far end of the world he

N could see. The men and women in the line were all familiar to him and they were all standing in front of a tombstone. He assumed that the tombstone signified that their death was approaching. He was startled and R confused at the same time because all the people he loved and hated in life were there. He saw Avarachan, the wicked moneylender who had fraudulently seized his property that was earlier mortgaged to him. Avarachan was

O standing almost in the front of the queue. Edwin frowned seeing Arvind who had deliberately hindered his promotion towards the end of the line. He saw his ex-wife and her new partner close to the tombstone. He was

C happy. Suddenly Edwin’s eyes met a man standing in front of the line, very close to the tombstone. He was shocked and desperate to see that man leading the line. It was Thomas who owed Edwin 3 lakh rupees. Edwin thought, “Oh God! I will certainly lose my hard earned money if he passes away immediately.”

S Eddy woke up from his dream in great shock and haste. He immediately went to Thomas’s home and demanded his money back. Thomas greeted him, “Good day Mr. Edwin. I was about to come to your home to settle my

T dues.” He then went in to take the sum while Edwin stayed in the portico. Thomas was delayed in coming back as he was counting the amount Edwin went to sit in the parlour. He then drooped off to sleep. Thomas came out with the entire sum and called out, “Edwin, here is the sum I promised you. No issues please!!! We are always friends.” N But Edwin did not wake and he never woke up from the sleep. Unaware of fact that, Edwin was leading the queue he focussed on his enemies and opponents. E Penned by, V.P. Achan D VOCABULARY PRAYER FOR EXAMINATION

U Fraudulent - counterfeit, Oh, Heavenly Father! My exam days are nearby. I put my total dishonorable faith and dependence on you. Please have mercy on me and touch me with your hands which shower blessings upon me. T Fathom - get to the bottom of Ensnare - entrap, as if in a trap Oh Jesus, you have been with me in all my inabilities and I seek your presence for my coming exam days. Give me the S Dilemma - quandary, a situation in grace to not lean on my power but trust you with all my heart. which a difficult choice has to be Fill me with your soul of knowledge. I have sincerely made completed my work. Help me to understand what I learnt and Diligent - hardworking, careful memorize them. Oh Mother of Lord, handover me to your Nudge - push, touch or push gently loving son who offers you anything on your demand. Grace me with success. Amen

14 KREUPASANAM NEWS v Thamber 2014 – a cultural fiesta was organised at Arthunkal Church, which showcased the folk arts like Chavittunadakam, , Vallattuparichaveeshikali, Parichamuttukali, Vanchipattukal by Kreupasanam Pauranika Rangakalapeedom, Kalavoor, Alappuzha. The 11 day programme witnessed the presence of academicians, politicians, social service groups, activists. Shri. K.C.Venugopal , Minister of State for Civil Aviation in Indian Government, Shri.Aryadu Bhargavan, Director ,Dramatic study centre, Rev Fr.Stephen pazhambasseril,Rector, Arthunkal Basilica, Dr.B.Padmakumar, Professor, Medical college, Alappuzha, Advocate A.M.Arif MLA, Smt.Mercy Diana Macido, Municipal chairperson, Alappuzha were the prominent persons who graced the fiesta with their presence. The exhibition of paintings and presentation of Kreupasanam achievements were held. v As part of the Tourism festival of State Government, Kreupasanam Pauranika Rangakalapeedom presented Chavittunadakam and Parichamuttukali at Munnar and Kumarakom. v Shri.A.P.Xavier Arakkal, Kreupasanam Pauranika Rangakalapeedom Cochin zone Convenor, was bestowed with the Gurupooja Award 2013 by v Two books on spiritual growth-“Gate to Grace & Glory” and “Kreupayude Soothravakhyaghal” was released

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10

15 A RELIGIO - SOCIO - CULTURAL MAGAZINE

CONTACT DETAILS FR.V.P.JOSEPH VALIYAVEETIL FOUNDER DIRECTOR, KREUPASANAM, KALAVOOR ALAPPUZHA, KERALA, SOUTH INDIA PH:- 9447285400, ,0478—2860595, 9847481587 [email protected],[email protected],[email protected]

MESSAGES, CONSOLATION, DAILY PRAYERS FIND US ON www.facebook.com/frjoseph.valiyaveetil MONTHLY PROGRAMMES FOLLOW US ON www.twitter.com/frvpjoseph First Tuesday One day Retreat and Healing Adoration BLOG- www.frvpchan.blogspot.in First Sunday Couples Retreat KREUPASANAM RETREAT CENTRE First Thursday NET PRAYER FELLOWSHIP Night Vigil at Thankey Church PERPETUAL ADORATION Every day there is intercessory prayers Second Tuesday and prayer request will be accepted Hospital Mission through phone, letter and e-mail. Second Saturday Youth Mission

Third Sunday Professionals Meet

Third Tuesday Counseling Day v www.kreupasanam.in v www.vpachan.com. Fourth Saturday 1000 Beads Rosary & Apostles Meet v www.folkarts.in v www.chavittunadakam.com Third Tuesday to Friday MARIAN RETREAT

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