https://doi.org/10.67147/literariness.v1i3.073
Enduring Echoes: Preserving Knanaya Heritage through Purathana Pattukal
TINA JOSE
Assistant Professor of English
St. Stephen’s College, Uzhavoor, Kerala
Abstract: Music is an art form that crosses barriers of language, country and culture, and can be understood by all. Music is also an essential part of the Knanaya Catholic community from Kottayam that traces its roots back to migration from the current area of Iraq in 345 CE. As instructed by their ancestors, this small, endogamous community continues to uphold and abide by the traditions and customs brought alongside from Mesopotamia. As a community with numerous ceremonies, music forms a major part of their heritage.
The songs of this community are known as Purathana Pattukal (literally, ancient songs) and form part of their oral tradition, documenting their history and tradition as well. The songs have been categorized into wedding songs, migration songs, church songs, Margamkali songs, and folk songs.
These songs act as a form of collective memory for the community, helping them pass on their history and tradition to the next generation. They are also integral in helping understand who they are and their legacy. Each song retained is important to the community and many are sung on a regular basis as per the occasion. For example Barumariam is the concluding song of the wedding mass, referring to Jesus Christ, the son of Mary. Marthoman is another song often sung to auspiciously begin an event, and invokes St. Thomas and their wedding traditions.
Music this helps the Knanaya community, wherever they may be, to remember their origins, history, culture and legacy and hence forms an integral part of their traditions. With the joy, dance and exuberance that often accompanies these songs, it is also a reminder of their Christian, Middle Eastern traditions that they are reminded to continue and cherish, wherever in the world they may be.
Keywords: Knanaya, Music, Heritage, Oral Tradition
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