Wedding of Dixon & Nivya. Chantham Charthal (beautification) of the groom

Reviving old St. Thomas Christian customs. Special thanks to Denny Karamkunnel for sharing this video and granting permission to post it on our channel.

Dixon's Residence,
Karamkunnel,Vadakancherry
Palakkad

1 Nov, 2019

Wedding of Dixon and Nivya. Ramsa at the home of the groom. Reviving old customs.

Dixon's Residence,
Karamkunnel,Vadakancherry
Palakkad

1 Nov, 2019

A plea to retain the Pesaha meal at home, not church

The Syro Malabar Catholics continue to observe many Jewish traditions from the Old Testament times. The observance of the Pesaha appam murikkal (breaking of the Passover bread) is one such tradition. The ritual takes place at home on the eve of Holy Thursday, which is referred to in Malayalam as “Pesaha wyazham” (“Passover Thursday”). The Aramaic/Hebrew word, “Pesaha,” has been adopted into the Malayalam vocabulary. Extensive preparations start in the morning with the baking of unleavened bread and a concoction made out of coconut milk. There is an air of sacredness floating around the family during the entire day. The sense of sacrality is so deep that it makes a strong impression on the minds of children. Conversations among the family members are in tune with the sacredness of the day. After sunset, the family gathers at the family prayer room, which assumes an extra sense of sacredness. One of the family members lights the lamp as usual for the daily family prayer. The oldest male member acts almost like a priest. He explains the meaning of the special day and the special event. It is an occasion to acknowledge the non-ministerial priesthood of the head of the family. After customary prayers, the oldest male member breaks the bread and gives a piece to each member of the family, starting from the oldest to the youngest. And then, he gives the concoction in a cup or glass. The members receive the bread (appam) and the concoction (pal = milk) with as much reverence as they would at the reception of holy communion at the local church. In the recent past, priests began to incorporate this ceremony to the Holy Thursday observance in the church. It took away the family context of the ceremony and the role of the oldest male member of the family. Such a practice may be disruptive to the original sense of the ceremony, which gave importance to the family as a sacred place and the head of the family also as a religious leader. We hope the conversation in this video inspires the viewers to start a movement toward bringing back the ceremony to the family. We welcome comments from the viewers.

Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bangalore

19 July, 2014

A passionate plea to preserve a melody

The melody of the Syriac chant, "Qambel Maran" from the Office for the Dead is unique in many respects. The Syllabic setting of the text with melismatic endings on the ultimate or penultimate vowel brings out the emotive effect of the chant. Here the music takes over the text that is not usual in the performance of other chants in the category of didactic songs (Madrasa), or other chants in the liturgy of the Hours. We do not know who composed this melody or when and where it was composed. It is possible that the melody originated among the Syriac Christians in Kerala. Let us hope the Syro Malabar clergy in Kerala will strive to preserve this melody. Several audio recordings of this melody are available on our channel. The most important among them is a rendering by Fr. Abel Periyappuram, CMI. See Aramaic Project-4M

Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bangalore

19 July, 2014

Children take over the conversation on Syriac chants.

Surprisingly, children are taking over the conversation on the Syriac heritage of the Syro Malabar Church. This is a very positive development. It gives us hope about the sustainability of the Syriac language and music. What is appealing is the fact that children learn songs in an informal setting without any coercion. We are grateful to the parents of these children for making Syriac chants a part of the conversation on the dining table. Let us hope that families will incorporate simple Syriac chants into evening family prayer.

Solemn Qurbana in Syriac. Fr. Saji Mattathil, Fr. Joseph Pathil

We are glad to post the tracks from a commercial release of the chants from the Solem Qurbana in Syriac. This excellent CD is the result of the diligent work of a talented team of musicians and singers under the leadership of Fr. Joseph Pathil and Fr. Saji Mattathil. Fr. Saji, who sings the celebrant's part in this recording, is blessed with a special vocal inflection that suits the style of Syriac chants. I was lucky to have had a recorded conversation with Fr. Saji in Rome. See Aramaic Project-71 . A video recording of the celebration of Syriac Qurbana by Fr. Saji in Dallas, Texas is available on Aramaic Project-100 . I also had a conversation with Binu and Deepa, the two other key players in the production of this CD. See Aramaic Project-78 We are grateful to the Department of Liturgical Music of the Archdiocese of Changanacherry for granting permission to archive these tracks for the benefit of researchers. We encourage everyone to purchase a copy of this masterly produced CD that might become a collector's item directly from the publisher. If you think this video is useful, please think of supporting our efforts by giving a free-will donation. Please click on the donation button on the web site or contact us This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dr. Joseph J. Palackal, CMI
New York 20
January 2020.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Puqdankon. Fr. Saji Mattathil

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Theshbohtha. Fr. Saji Mattathil

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Awoond'washmaya. Fr. Saji Mattathil

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

"Hayyel Maran." Slotha. Fr. Saji Mattathil

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

"Mar'ya Mannu." Psalm. Fr. Saji Mattathil.

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

"Ualappai" Slotha. Fr. Saji Mattathil.

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

"Qandisa Alaha". Trisagion. Fr. Saji Mattathil

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Introduction to Gospel Proclamation. Fr. Saji Mattathil

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

"Lakh Marya." Slotha. Fr. Saji Mattathil

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

"Thaibuseh" Fr. Saji Mattathil

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

"Awdinan Mar." Institution narrative. Fr. Saji Mattathil

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

"U'al Appai." Slotha. Fr. Saji Mattathil

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

"Barekmar." Slotha. Fr. Saji Mattathil

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

"Kadh Masqeenan." Slotha. Fr. Saji Mattathil

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

"Barekh Mar." Slotha. Fr. Saji Mattathil

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

"Rahme Suqaana." Rite of reconciliation. Fr. Saji Mattathil

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Music Recording Studio

Oshin Green, Kottayam & Bethovan Digitals, Athirampuzha

Children take Syriac chants home

Note on Aramaic Project-165.

Christ King Forane Church, Manimooly

Diocese of Mananthavady

Did St Thomas Come To India?

This is video is posted for archival and research purposes only.

Dr. Joseph J. Palackal talks with Mr. Cyriac Scaria based on the CNN Documentry -DOUBTING THOMAS

Syro Malabar National Convention, Houston , Aug 2019

Syriac and Arabic cultures in Kerala. Prof M.N Karassery and Dr.Joseph Palackal

The confluence of cultures in Kerala. Prof. M. N. Karassery and Rev. Dr. Joseph J. Palackal in a spirited conversation. Special thanks to Varghese Korason and Sibi David, Valkannadi.

Valkannadi
(Reporter News Channel)
New York

1 July, 2019

The Teenage face of Syriac chants: Denny sails Karamkunnel

Here is a teenage singer who has already warmed up to the Syriac heritage of the Syro Malabar Church. Unusual as it is, Denny is attracted to the melodies and moods of East-Syriac chants and learned them by listening to Youtube videos. During a phone conversation, Denny, member of the Eparchy of Palakkad in Northern Kerala, acknowledged that he is an avid user of the postings on the Aramaic Project videos on our channel. Denny uses the Malayalam transliteration of the Syriac texts. Surprisingly, his rendering of the words is very satisfactory. The melodic variation at the end of “Lad hassi” (4:18) is noteworthy. It is reminiscent of the performance practice of Rag Bharavi in Hindustani music.

Denny’s interest caught the attention of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia at Mount St. Thomas. The priests there introduced Denny to the Major Archbishop, Cardinal George Alencherry, who showed interest in listening to Denny. The Cardinal, as well as the priests, seem to enjoy the singing by this Syriac prodigy. We look forward to hearing more melodies in the voice of Denny soon.

Joseph J. Palackal, CMI
New York
13 November 2019

Dinning room of the Archiepiscopal Curie at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad, Kochi

23 October, 2019