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Margamkali - Saint Thomas Christian Dance Form
Margamkali (Malayalam:മാർഗ്ഗംകളി ) is an ancient Indian round dance of the St. Thomas Christians community- based in Kerala state, mainly practiced by the endogamous sub-sect known as the Knanaya or Southist Christians. The dance retells the life and missionary work of Thomas the Apostle, based on the 3rd-century apocryphal Acts of Thomas. History There are several opinions on the potential origin of Margamkali. They are: # It is traced back to Jewish wedding songs and dance from the diaspora.Neumann K (1998) "Mond, Gott Siva und heiliger Thomas: Die religiöse Gemeinschaft der Knanaya in Kerala" Universität Marburg p 150 Scholars have found common origin among Malabar Jewish dance and songs and the dance form of Margamkali.Vellian, J (1990) 'Crown, veil, cross : marriage rites' in Syrian churches series, vol 15 p 30 In addition, scholars like P.M. Jussay and Dr Shalva Weil have found many similarities in the customs and rituals of Knanaya Christians and ...
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Malabar Coast
The Malabar Coast is the southwestern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Geographically, it comprises the wettest regions of southern India, as the Western Ghats intercept the moisture-laden monsoon rains, especially on their westward-facing mountain slopes. The term is used to refer to the entire Indian coast from the western coast of Konkan to the tip of India at Kanyakumari. The peak of Anamudi, which is also the point of highest altitude in India outside the Himalayas, and Kuttanad, which is the point of least elevation in India, lie on the Malabar Coast. Kuttanad, also known as ''The Rice Bowl of Kerala'', has the lowest altitude in India, and is also one of the few places in the world where cultivation takes place below sea level. The region parallel to the Malabar Coast gently slopes from the eastern highland of Western Ghats ranges to the western coastal lowland. The moisture-laden winds of the Southwest monsoon, on reaching the southernmost point of the Indian Pe ...
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Kerala Folklore Academy
Kerala Folklore Academy is an autonomous center for cultural affairs constituted by the Government of Kerala and works under the Department of Cultural Affairs. It was established on 28 June 1995 to promote and project the traditional art forms of Kerala. It is located at Chirakkal, Kannur. The academy brings out a quarterly to promote the study and research in folklore, and has published more than 25 books on the folklore of Kerala. It also produced a book about 100 folk art forms of Kerala and two dictionaries, one on Chavittu Nadakam and another on Beary language. History The institution was formed under the Travancore Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration act of 1955. It began functioning on 20 January 1996, to impart training in folk arts and to ensure ongoing efforts in their development, promotion and perpetuation. In 2003, the State Government handed over the waterside palace of the Chirakkal kings, at Chirakkal, to the academy to use as t ...
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Arts Of Kerala
The Indian state Kerala is well known for its diverse forms of performing arts. The various communities in Kerala contribute to its rich and colourful culture.The most important traditional art forms of Kerala are Kathakali, Kalaripayattu, Koodiyattam, Theyyam, Mohiniyattam, Thullal, Padayani, Pulikali, Thiruvathirakali, Chakyarkoothu,kalaripayattu etc. Performing arts of Kerala Kerala Hindu Arts * Ayyappan Vilakku * Shastham Paatu * Kathakali * Chakyar Koothu * Nangiar Koothu * Mohiniyattam * ThirayattamThirayattam, Moorkkanad Peethambaran, Kerala bhasha Institute, TVM, * Padayani * Thiyyattu * Koodiyattam * Kerala Natanam * Panchavadyam * Thullal * Tholpavakoothu * Ottamthullal * Garudan Thookkam * Kolam Thullal * Kakkarissi Nadakam * Poorakkali * Mudiyett * Kummattikali * Kuthiyottam * Thiriyuzhichil * Kalaripayattu * Mangalamkali * Marathukali * Malayikuthu * Mukkanchathan * Charadupinnikkali * Kothammuriyattam * Sopanam * Thacholikali * Sarpam Thullal * Pulluv ...
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Chattayum Mundum
''Chattayum Mundum'' is a traditional attire used by the Syrian Christian women of Kerala. It is a seamless white garment, consisting of a white blouse covering the whole upper part of the body (''"Chatta"'') and a long white garment called ''"Mundu"'' which is wrapped around the waist which reaches to the ankles. The "''Chatta''" is of Jewish origin and the "''Mundu''" is of South Indian origin. The ''Mundu'' used is 9.5 yards long. The ''"Chatta"'' or the Blouse would either be full sleeve which covers the whole arm or would be near to the elbow. A fan like appendage is also made in the backside by pleating the garment. A creamish white cloth with a golden border known as the ''"Kavani"'' or ''"Neriyathu"'' is worn over the left shoulder and tucked into the ''Mundu'' when the women are outside the house. Traditionally in the church the women cover themselves with another white cloth with a golden border ''"Kasavu"'' which is worn over the head covering the head and the shoulders ...
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Nilavilakku
Nilavilakku is a traditional lamp used commonly in Kerala as well as in Tamil nadu (called Kuthuvillakku). The traditional lamps which is lit during every auspicious occasions; in temples before the worship starts; at the official and unofficial functions. Etymology ''Nilam'' in the Malayalam/Tamil language means ''floor or the ground'' and ''vilakku'' means lamp. Usage Original usage in Hinduism The Nilavilakku is integral to several rituals and ceremonies in Hindu families in Kerala. As the sun sets, young girls of the family bring the lighted lamps to the verandah of the house, continued with evening prayers. In the evening the ritual is repeated alongside evening prayers. In Hindu temples, various types of Nilavilakku like 'Kutthuvilakku', 'Thookkuvilakku' etc are used and are very much related to the traditional beliefs and activities in Kerala. Lighting the Nilavilakku on any occasion is believed to be auspicious. Nilavilakku plays an important role in the presentation ...
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Knanaya Margam Kali
The Knānāya, (from Syriac: ''Knā'nāya'' (Canaanite)) also known as the Southists or Tekkumbhagar, are an endogamous ethnic group found among the Saint Thomas Christian community of Kerala, India. They are differentiated from another part of the community, known in this context as the Northists (''Vaddakkumbhagar''). There are about 300,000 Knanaya in India and elsewhere. The origins of the Knanaya community is traced back to the arrival of the Syriac merchant Thomas of Cana (Knāi Thoma) who led a migration of Syriac Christians ( Jewish-Christians) from the Mesopotamian province of Sassanian Persia to India in the fourth or eighth century. The communities arrival was recorded on the Thomas of Cana copper plates which were extant in Kerala until the 17th century. The ethnic division between the Knanaya and other St. Thomas Christians was observed during the Portuguese colonization of India in the 16th century and was noted throughout the European colonial era. Today, the majo ...
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Synod Of Diamper
The Synod of Diamper (Udayamperoor Synod) ( mal, ഉദയംപേരൂർ സൂനഹദോസ്, Udayampērūṟ Sūnahadōs), held at Udayamperoor (known as Diamper in non-vernacular sources) in June 1599, was a diocesan synod, or council, that created rules and regulations for the ancient Saint Thomas Christians (also known as ''Mar Thoma Nasranis'') of the Malabar Coast, a part of modern-day Kerala state, India, formally subjugating them and downgrading their whole Metropolitanate of India as the Diocese of Angamale, a suffragan see to the Archdiocese of Goa administered by Latin Church ''Padroado'' missionaries. This synod also introduced forced Liturgical Latinisation and the eschewal of local practices and beliefs, leading to a significant ecclesial protest by Saint Thomas Christians known as Coonan Cross Oath and a subsequent schism in the mid-17th century. Background Early history of Saint Thomas Christians The Saint Thomas Christians, who trace their ori ...
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Parichamuttukali
Parichamuttu Kali ( alayalam പരിചമുട്ട്‌കളി ) is an Indian martial-arts dance form of Kerala practiced by the Saint Thomas Syrian Christians who trace their origins to the evangelistic activity of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century. It is performed by men bearing swords and shields and follows the movements and steps of Kalarippayattu. This dance is closely related to Margam Kali. Parichamuttu Kali was also performed by Harijans. Etymology The first term in the name is a compound of the Malayalam words ''paricha'', shield, and ''muttuka'', bring them close to each other. The second part, ''kali'', means "play". In this case, the play refers to how the dance is a mock performance as opposed to ''ankam'' which means "fight". History The martial nature of these dances appear to come from 11th century 'suicide squad' soldiers in feudal Kerala called "Chavettu Pada". These were employed by the Cheras on multiple occasions and eventually lead to ...
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Saint Thomas Christians
The Saint Thomas Christians, also called Syrian Christians of India, ''Marthoma Suriyani Nasrani'', ''Malankara Nasrani'', or ''Nasrani Mappila'', are an ethno-religious An ethnoreligious group (or an ethno-religious group) is a grouping of people who are unified by a common religious and ethnic background. Furthermore, the term ethno-religious group, along with ethno-regional and ethno-linguistic groups, is a s ... community of Indian Christians in the state of Kerala (Malabar region), who, for the most part, employ the East Syriac Rite, Eastern and West Syriac Rite, Western liturgical rites of Syriac Christianity. They trace their origins to the evangelistic activity of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century. The Saint Thomas Christians had been historically a part of the hierarchy of the Church of the East but are now divided into several different Eastern Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic, Oriental Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodox, Protestantism, Protestant, and independent ...
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Nambudiri
The Nambudiri (), also transliterated as Nampoothiri, Nambūdiri, Namboodiri, Nampoothiri, and Nampūtiri, are a Malayali Brahmin caste, native to what is now the state of Kerala, India, where they constituted part of the traditional feudal elite, owning a large portion of the land in the region of Malabar until the Kerala Land Reforms starting in 1957, and intermarrying with the Nair monarchs and aristocracy through sambandham. They have historically been distinguished by rare practices such as the adherence to Śrauta ritualism, the Pūrva-Mīmāṁsā school of Hindu philosophy, and orthodox tradition, as well as many idiosyncratic customs unique among Brahmins, including primogeniture. Cyriac Pullapilly mentions that the dominating influence of the Nambudiris was to be found in all matters: religion, politics, society, economics and culture of Kerala. History Origin Nambudiri mythology associates their immigration to Kerala from the banks of Narmada, Krishna, Kaveri r ...
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Margamkali - Saint Thomas Christian Dance Form
Margamkali (Malayalam:മാർഗ്ഗംകളി ) is an ancient Indian round dance of the St. Thomas Christians community- based in Kerala state, mainly practiced by the endogamous sub-sect known as the Knanaya or Southist Christians. The dance retells the life and missionary work of Thomas the Apostle, based on the 3rd-century apocryphal Acts of Thomas. History There are several opinions on the potential origin of Margamkali. They are: # It is traced back to Jewish wedding songs and dance from the diaspora.Neumann K (1998) "Mond, Gott Siva und heiliger Thomas: Die religiöse Gemeinschaft der Knanaya in Kerala" Universität Marburg p 150 Scholars have found common origin among Malabar Jewish dance and songs and the dance form of Margamkali.Vellian, J (1990) 'Crown, veil, cross : marriage rites' in Syrian churches series, vol 15 p 30 In addition, scholars like P.M. Jussay and Dr Shalva Weil have found many similarities in the customs and rituals of Knanaya Christians and ...
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