Churches in India are using local customs,traditions and practices to blend with the local population and identify themselves as truly Indian.There was a time when the Holy Mass was said in Latin and later on it was changed to vernacular.Similarly Churches have installed flag masts such as the ones that we find in Hindu temples made of wood,copper or brass.They also light oil lamps made of brass as done in Hindu temples.
Recently the Church to which I belong,St.Antony's Church,celebrated St.Antony's feast and engaged a Singara Melam group to entertain us after the mass in the evening. The unique thing about Singara Melam which is of Kerala origin and style, is not only the beat but also the various formations they make while beating the drums to a lovely loud sound which reaches a crescendo toward the end.
You can go to You Tube or google- Singara Melam- to see the sight,steps and hear the sound.See at least two or three videos to get a fairly good idea.Enjoy yourselves.
I understand ladies are forming Singara Melam groups and they are drawing a huge audience.Best wishes:)
Hello Joseph sir,
ReplyDeleteHey ur posts take me home always as the places in ur pics are very much familiar to me...
afterall all places of worship are for peace, and whatever we follow there should lead to peace...irrespective of the customs origin....
thanks for sharing
A wonderful post Joseph, a lovely custom and those pictures as always are breath taking.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week-end.
Take care.
Yvonne.
Hi Joseph,
ReplyDeleteAn interesting post.
It's inevitable that the church in a particular location adapts to the local customs and traditions. However, I do hope this does not infiltrate the teachings of the church in that area. Religions are fundamentally different. As long as we tolerate our differences I don't see a problem with that, but I'm not a great fan of syncretism. For instance, reincarnation is completely different from resurrection and the two cannot be reconciled.
I had a heated conversation with someone from the Syro-Chaldean (Nestorian) Church recently. He knew very little about Jesus and the bible, yet he questioned the reliability of the bible and the divinity of Christ. He talked about Dan Brown's books, which are total works of fiction, yet he believed them. He was proud to say he was an 'Indian Christian' rather than a 'global Christian'. He seemed to have more confidence in the Gita than in the bible. That's entirely his opinion but it was quite different to mine. After a while I realised there was no point in arguing with him because he wasn't going to change his firmly held opinions. There's no harm studying other religions, but I think one should at least study his/her own religion before claiming it is false.
Regards,
JI
very cool. defintiely going to google it as i would love to hear....nice pics...you always fascinate me witht he cutoms of your part of the world....
ReplyDeleteChristianity was an adopted faith. It is gratifying to see your Churches peeping into the past and re-identifying with the culture of the land. This serves as a tool for conflict management.
ReplyDeleteI shall go forthwith to see the videos. It must have been nice to see the group perform right after mass, still celebrating the Feast. Your pictures are excellent. Have a good weekend, Joseph.
ReplyDeleteA lovely post Joseph, great photos!
ReplyDeleteHi Joseph
ReplyDeleteSo so lovely post !!
I learn everyday more from your contry.
Thanks for sharing.
Your shots are fantastic and so colorful ....
Anya :)
Hello Joseph! A wonderful post and this looks like quite a celebration. I will have to stop by You Tube and listen to some of them. I love music and this just looks fantastic. I always appreciate learning more about your Indian culture and you must be so proud that Singara Melam originates in Kerala!
ReplyDeleteI apologize for not getting around to visit more often. I forgot to get your new link on my side bar and wasn't getting the updates. We have had our beautiful baby son and mommy has been busy loving and cuddling on him this week.
God bless you and your family!
Trudy
Beautiful shots of singar melam. They beat the drums in rhythm and music to ears.
ReplyDeleteWOW!! I pulled up the video's and watched 4 of them. What amazing druming, and the symbols, (not sure the correct name), the energy raised by the men, and the woman who drummed , must be so intense to experiance. Watching the videos alone was so exciting, i imagine its very loud in person. What an amazing thing to witness.
ReplyDeletetake care,
till next time
Melanie
Thanks for this interesting glimpse into the inculturation process that is happening with the Church in India. It is always good when Christianity takes on and purifies the cultural practices of the people who make up the Church. There is a richness in Indian culture which, once purified by the Gospel, enhances and deepens the Christian witness in Indian society. While there is always a risk and always a process involved in inculturation, the rewards -- a form of Christianity that is as authentically Indian as it is Italian or Irish or Brazilian -- is well worth it. Thanks for sharing this fascinating glimpse into the life of the Church in your part of the world!
ReplyDeleteHello Mr. Joseph,
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures. I am very thrilled to know that such a tradition of blending with the local tradition exists. It is really wonderful and noble of the Church to do so. I respect that and bow my head in reverence to such a great idea.
I can totally feel the energy in the air when these artists beat the drums. The energy that exudes from those sounds is electric and all the credit goes to the passionate artists. They get so much into the mood and tempo that they forget everything else but drumming. Amazing!
Have a wonderful Sunday.
-Vittal
Good day to you Joseph,
ReplyDeleteI always return to your blog because of the interesting facts that i learn each and every time i swing by. I will continue to come by... Always a pleasure good sir..
One of my friend from Kerala, had Singara Melam performance for her wedding!!! Although I didn't attend her wedding, I was astonished with the photographs itself!!!
ReplyDeleteIn search of Sanjeevani herb to Konganar Cave
The White Dress to Work
A very interesting post. Fantastic photos and a wonderful story in a great blog.
ReplyDeleteWow! what a wonderful way to praise the Lord. I would like to go You Tube and watch some of the videos. Have a blessed day.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about your church. I am going to You Tube and learn more. Have a nice week.
ReplyDeleteIts great to see the drummers.
ReplyDeleteMust be a rousing celebration,. The church also looks all decked up for the occasion.
Its nice to see Indian Christianity putting on a cultural garb and adapting to Indian society, but at the same time we should not compromise our allegiance to our Biblical foundation and beliefs.We should not lose our uniqueness. At the same time we should show that Christianity is not a western religion - its origins are in Asia.
Thank you for coming by. I liked your comments, you added more information, thanks.
ReplyDeleteOh yes I have seen this chenda kottu at the palli perunalu.
ReplyDeleteAlso remember the days when I was an altar boy in Bombay way back in the early sixties I had to learn the prayers in Latin, The Dominos Vobsicom. ... . . . . the Confitior (I confess) and so on and so forth.
Hello Joseph, thanks for all your support,
ReplyDeleteif you go to my site there is something for you.
Take care.
Yvonne.
Thanks Joseph, for visiting me.. I could visit you and happened to see a lovely blog full of Wisdom and beautiful pictures...lets be in touch..
ReplyDeleteYes, I note now in churhes too they have this singara melam. You have captured it very well. When u hear with patience u just get involved deeply.
ReplyDeleteHello Rema:)
ReplyDeleteWelcome after a long absence. I thought you had gone to the Gulf with your family to enjoy the holidays. However I was shocked to hear about your mother in law's tragic demise.
Kindly accept my heart felt condolences. I pray to God to give you and your family the courage and strength to bear this great loss.Kindly condole your husband on my behalf. I know he will be inconsolable.
Best wishes,
Yours in sorrow,
Joseph