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The Importance of Traditional Christian Art Forms and Culture in Kerala

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The Importance of Traditional Christian Art Forms and Culture in Kerala Compliance Engineering Journal ISSN NO: 0898-3577 The Importance of Traditional Christian Art forms and culture in Kerala Dr. Lekshmy.P.L Department of history, Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur, Calicut University [email protected] ABSTRACT: History is the systematic description of past events or stages in the growth and development which evolved from life circumstances and took over various forms in religion, music, literature etc. Social history is regarding the source and formation of various aspects like social institutions, art forms, literature, music and theatrical arts. It handles the story of progress of human culture and advanced state of human development. Kerala state is a land of cultural interaction of different socio cultural and religious sections. The contribution of Christian arts to the culturally rich state enhanced the situation. Since the subject of Christian arts is very vast, to achieve a proper study about the Christian arts required many years of intense research and hard work as the topic is very wide. Keywords: Christian arts forms, Chavittunaatakam, passion play, Margamkail,Vattakkali, Parichmuttukali 1. Introduction: The state of Kerala got a special place among all other states in India in its socio cultural abundance of various religions like Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Judaism mixed in an appearing perfection. The contribution of Christian arts is highly appreciable to the culturally rich state. To achieve a bird’s view on the topic of expansive Christian arts require years of intense research and hard work. It is really a matter of great interest to know the special place of early Christian theatrical art forms in Kerala. The research on Christian theatrical art forms in Kerala handles the Christian theatrical arts and folk dances of Kerala which is very interesting to many scholars. Chavittunaatakam,siluvaimaranam or passion play Margamkail, Vattakkali,Parichmuttukali are some of the Christian theatrical art forms of Kerala. With the onset of electronic media most of the ancient art forms are on the verge of extinction. Chavittunaatakam occupies a distinctive place among these art forms, though it is almost extinct now. A few cultural Volume 10, Issue 11, 2019 Page No: 459 Compliance Engineering Journal ISSN NO: 0898-3577 troupes are trying to revive it. In the modern fast world the old art forms are erased since it require patience to enjoy this having longer duration. Here an attempt is made to show the unique place of Chavittunaatakam of yester years. These art forms and theatrical arts are considered as a source of communal harmony of various ethnic groups. With the arrival of European powers brought political influence on Kerala, her cultural and life style were not affected by the western culture. These art forms were made suitable themselves as per the requirement of the society. Due to the impact of western countries, especially the Portuguese, Chavittunaatakam, Margamkali, Parichamuttukali, Vattakkali etc. emerged as secular art forms. 2. Methodology: The methodology used in the study is analytical cum descriptive sources. The study is based on both primary and secondary data. I have collected primary sources spread over the coastal belt of Kerala and Tamilnadu, personal interview with the professional artists, contemporary books etc. As sources of secondary data I am using books, research papers, articles, journals etc. This study is made to reveal the secular characterization of Christian art forms and theatrical arts and these are the harmonies models of east west inter relationship. In recent times many scholars have attempted to study the Christian theatrical arts. The remarkable one is that of Mrs. Sabeena Raphy giving special reference to Chavittunatakam. With authenticated historical evidence she claims that this art form is pre –historic. Other scholars like Dr Chummar Choondal giving emphasis on Chavittunaatakam, folkdance and theatrical arts. The Margamkali Aattaprakaram by Dr. Chummar Choondal and Dr. Jacob Velliyam are great contributions to the field of study of Christine folk arts. Bhashagadhya Sahithya Charitham and Padhya sahithya charitham of Mr T.M Chummar gives glimps on Chavittumaatakam and Christian folk songs respectively. Dr. P.J Thomas in his work Malayala Sahityavum Kristianikalum, describes an excellent details on chavittunatakam and Christian folk dances in Kerala. Many researchers like Dr.Jacob Vellion and S.KurianVembeni, Dr.E.P.Antony, Dr.KJ.John etc. provide comprehensive information on folkarts. The Encyeopedia edited by Prof. George Menachery ‘St. Thomas Christian Encyclopedia essays the early Christian culture and art forms in Kerala. Contributions by recent writers like Fr. V.P. Volume 10, Issue 11, 2019 Page No: 460 Compliance Engineering Journal ISSN NO: 0898-3577 Joseph Vaiyaveettil, Dr.A.K Nambiar, V.J Victor, Nelson Femandez etc are well appreciated. Most of the recent studies on the Christian theatrical art forms in Kerala are based on the excellent work done by Mrs Sabeena Raphy. 3. Development of Christianity in Kerala: The western countries were aware of the existence of India from ancient period onwards and the opportunity of trade flourished between South India and the west. This provided an opportunity to reach Christian religion in Kerala. From ancient time onwards the people of Kerala believed in Christianity. St.Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus Christ brought Christianity to Kerala it is believed. Majority of the scholars are of the opinion that St.Thomas first landed in Maliankara in Muziris. Proper information is not available on the above compositions like Margam Kalippattu, Thomappattu and Rambanpattu give certain information on this. It is described that Alexandrian Bishop Dimetrius has send his teacher to India to propogate Christianity among Brahmins and yogis for establishing Christianity in India. Another version is that before A.D345 Thomas of Kana, a Syrian merchant reached at Crangannore along with a group of 400 Syrian Christians from Jerusalem along with Bishop of Uriah and other clergies to give more strength to the Christian settlement in Malabar. In the fourth, fifth centuries Christians migrated to India from Palestine, Syria and Persia for business purpose and religious activities. Though the study of early Christianity was hampered after the Synod of Diamper in 1599, the belief that the Apostle Thomas has established Christianity in India still held as the only possibility. From early inscriptions it can be presumed that the early Christians were mostly traders and had a prominent place in the society. The war broke out at Kodungalloor forced the Christian population moved to different regions and the town of Vallarvattom declined and when Vasco da Gama reached Kerala, the inhabitants of this place intimated their willingness to recognize the supremacy of the King of Portugal. Those who accepted Christianity in Kerala were mostly from the upper classes before the arrival of the Portuguese. They were called as Syrian Christians who still continued the age old Hindu culture and practices. When the Portuguese arrived in Kerala they saw a colony of Christians completely different from European Christians. The Synod of Diamper of 1599 AD was a turning point in Kerala’s history of Christianity. The Portuguese adopted various methods for latinisation of Christians’ of Kerala. They viewed the practices and social manners of the Syrian Christians as superstitious and sinful. Volume 10, Issue 11, 2019 Page No: 461 Compliance Engineering Journal ISSN NO: 0898-3577 Portuguese aimed at bringing Kerala Church under the control of Papal supremacy with Rome as its religious centre. Against the latinisation policy, Malabar Christians staged a strong protest by ‘Koonan Kurusu sathyam in 1653. Gradually several Christian denominations originated from a single Christian community in Malabar. Along with this feuds also remained as a serious issue till now. 4. Christian art forms and culture in Kerala: Christian arts have contributed enormously to the rich tradition of Kerala. The Christian art forms are music architecture, painting, literature performing arts etc. The Christian art forms are originated by the combinations of both foreign indigenous principle’s of two group, the first one, music and literature and performing arts and the second, architecture, painting, metal works, carving work etc. 4.1 Music: The Christians sung songs on religious topics having varied tune and rhythm on the occasion of celebrations like marriages, festival etc. Maargamkali, Parichamuttukali and Vattakkali was common among Syrian Christians, Chavittunatakam is the Christian theatrical art form originated after the Synod Diamper. Passion play was a theatrical art. Natakasalas were also extending. 4.2 Literature: The European missionaries along with their religious activities conducted literary activities also in Kerala. They studied various native languages and prepared lexicographic and grammatical works in Indian languages. The printing press used for printing of religious materials helped to print secular books for educational purpose in Kerala. Malayalam language had its beginning from the models made by the catholic missionaries of Varappuzha. The name of Arnos Padiri and Fr.Paulinos deserves special mention who prepared poems, grammatical works and dictionaries in Malayalam. The first and the only authoritative grammar in Malayalam language is of Dr. Hermen Gundert Volume 10, Issue 11, 2019 Page No: 462 Compliance
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