http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmQ0LvK5qnc
One of the most beautiful aspects of a Keralite is their traditional dressing.Christian men wear White Dhoti and white shirt with a cover called 'Neyriyathu'.Christian ladies in those days used to wear white Blouse called 'Chatta' and white 'Mundu'.The 'Mundu is worn in a traditional manner with a fan like fold at the back.'Chata'is covered with off white 'Kavini' and a 'Broach'is fixed on the top Left hand side.The value of 'Broach' almost determine the social status of the christian lady.Ornaments worn by Christian ladies are essentially of 22 carat gold.If rich even the 'Broach'is of gold.Ear rings used to be as big as bangles but much thicker and definitely made of Gold.
Girls after puberty in those days use to wear 'Half sari'.It is a long skirt with blouse and a small sari like cloth but not fully sari.It showed full beauty of a teen aged girl.However now it had been replaced by north Indian chudidhar.One of the advantages of chudidar is a girl can be very Fat but if covered under Chudidar no one will probably know how fat the girl is.However 'Half sari' still seems to be very sexy for me.
Probably keralites used to wear such dresses because of the climate.Hot Humid Climate followed by unpredictable rain might have made people dress in white and off white colors.Another aspect was every keralite always carried an umbrella either to protect from Sun or from rain.Either of them are for sure.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Wedding Ceremony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns0C_rBTY6o
Traditionally Kerala Syrian Christian marriage ceremony take place in 3 parts.Though engagement was done usually there is no ring ceremony.It is only a meeting of both the families.
So first part of the wedding ceremony would be engagement and known as the ring ceremony.Here the ring is put on both bride and grooms hand.
Next is the Crowning ceremony where in the Priest blesses the groom thrice with a crown and the bride thrice with the crown.Finally the Knot tying ceremony followed by wrapping the bride with 'Mantrkodi'.Tying of Knot is with seven threads and it has a 'Minu'on those threads.Now the seven threads are taken from the 'Mantrkodi'.The bride wrapped in a 'Mantrakodi'Looks the most beautiful girl on earth probably a divine beauty comes in.
After marriage the girl goes and changes to the Mantrakodi which is worn by her.Hereafter traditionally she is supposed to wear this 'Mantrkodi'for any future function eg;Baptism of her first child etc;'Mantrakodi'is kept thruout her lifetime.
After the marriage ceremony comes the Feast.In the olden days usually Feast is arranged at the Grooms home or Brides home depending on where the marriage took place.So a tent is made and is decorated Tables and chairs are kept in line.Once people sit in Plantain leaf is kept in front of everyone followed by a glass of water.Appam and Chicken Stew is given as Starter.On the entry lemon juice is served and the rule is that whoever has come from the other side should first enter ie;if Feast is at Grooms place then preference would be for brides relatives and grooms relative can come in only in the second round.
First item would be salt followed by Plantain.Next Fish,Meat,Vegetable etc;is served followed by rice.Next rice is served with butter milk and finally rice,sugar and Yogurt is served which was the dessert those days.
Finally at the exit one lemon is given to all those attended the function.
Now the boy and girl starts to live together blessed by almighty.
Traditionally Kerala Syrian Christian marriage ceremony take place in 3 parts.Though engagement was done usually there is no ring ceremony.It is only a meeting of both the families.
So first part of the wedding ceremony would be engagement and known as the ring ceremony.Here the ring is put on both bride and grooms hand.
Next is the Crowning ceremony where in the Priest blesses the groom thrice with a crown and the bride thrice with the crown.Finally the Knot tying ceremony followed by wrapping the bride with 'Mantrkodi'.Tying of Knot is with seven threads and it has a 'Minu'on those threads.Now the seven threads are taken from the 'Mantrkodi'.The bride wrapped in a 'Mantrakodi'Looks the most beautiful girl on earth probably a divine beauty comes in.
After marriage the girl goes and changes to the Mantrakodi which is worn by her.Hereafter traditionally she is supposed to wear this 'Mantrkodi'for any future function eg;Baptism of her first child etc;'Mantrakodi'is kept thruout her lifetime.
After the marriage ceremony comes the Feast.In the olden days usually Feast is arranged at the Grooms home or Brides home depending on where the marriage took place.So a tent is made and is decorated Tables and chairs are kept in line.Once people sit in Plantain leaf is kept in front of everyone followed by a glass of water.Appam and Chicken Stew is given as Starter.On the entry lemon juice is served and the rule is that whoever has come from the other side should first enter ie;if Feast is at Grooms place then preference would be for brides relatives and grooms relative can come in only in the second round.
First item would be salt followed by Plantain.Next Fish,Meat,Vegetable etc;is served followed by rice.Next rice is served with butter milk and finally rice,sugar and Yogurt is served which was the dessert those days.
Finally at the exit one lemon is given to all those attended the function.
Now the boy and girl starts to live together blessed by almighty.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Wedding season and arranged marriage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01ebB7K5rTg
Traditionally in Kerala the Syrian Christians marry during certain period of the year.During 50 days of lent it is forbidden to marry though in some cases now a days allow it to happen but the food will be strictly Vegetarian which means only very few people will attend.Also 25 days before Christmas usually the marriages don't take place.Another time is 8 days before birthday of St.Mary ie.First week of September.Also from June to August second week the marriages are avoided as it is heavy monsoon season,but that is optional.So marriage amongst Syrian Christians take place from last week of December to February or March depending on the Lent date.Immediately after Easter till June.Then August second week to November end.However the period after Easter seems to be hectic marriage period as more relatives come from different parts of world due to summer vacation of their kids.
In the olden days marriage was almost a get together ceremony of all the relatives.It was a rule to compulsorily invite 10 of your neighbours who are your parish members.Besides all the relatives from fathers side and mothers side is invited.Usually the marriage proposal is brought in by the 'Broker'.He will have a list of girls and Boys willing to get married.So he would come and give a Bio data of Boy/Girl and also will show the photo.As a salesman he would tell lot of 'Good Qualities' about the girl,their family etc;Finally he will come to the most interesting part that is the share of the girl.His brokerage is usually 10% of the share amount from both sides.So that part is of great interest to him too.
I clarified to grandfather about this dowry part.Why should a girl pay when she is getting married to my uncle?Well, he told me with the logic of our forefathers on the share part.Amongst Syrian Christians we treat a boy at par with a girl.So I have 5 Children,3 Boys and 2 girls.I have 5 acres of Land.if I divide this 5 acres each acre will go to each child.But Syrian Christians being a patriarchal society we give the value of 1 acre land to my eldest daughter when she is married and value of another acre of land to my second daughter when she is married.Then 5 acre will be divided within my 3 sons and the house goes to the youngest as he is supposed to look after me.So that answered my question on Share part.
So all our relatives come to our house and help in preparation of different dishes as Catering companies were unheard of on those days.
The broker goes to girls parents and inform that such and such boy is interested.The parents would do primary enquiry about the nature,Qualification etc;of the boy and later come and request for the boy.Now,if accepted,boys parents will go and do the enquiry about girl.Once both the parties are satisfied an engagement is arranged and that is where the said share of the girl is given.Usually Engagement takes place at girls place and no.of people attending the count is taken because on the day of marriage the boys side would expect only 10 times the people who attended engagement besides as many people from boys side.
Traditionally in Kerala the Syrian Christians marry during certain period of the year.During 50 days of lent it is forbidden to marry though in some cases now a days allow it to happen but the food will be strictly Vegetarian which means only very few people will attend.Also 25 days before Christmas usually the marriages don't take place.Another time is 8 days before birthday of St.Mary ie.First week of September.Also from June to August second week the marriages are avoided as it is heavy monsoon season,but that is optional.So marriage amongst Syrian Christians take place from last week of December to February or March depending on the Lent date.Immediately after Easter till June.Then August second week to November end.However the period after Easter seems to be hectic marriage period as more relatives come from different parts of world due to summer vacation of their kids.
In the olden days marriage was almost a get together ceremony of all the relatives.It was a rule to compulsorily invite 10 of your neighbours who are your parish members.Besides all the relatives from fathers side and mothers side is invited.Usually the marriage proposal is brought in by the 'Broker'.He will have a list of girls and Boys willing to get married.So he would come and give a Bio data of Boy/Girl and also will show the photo.As a salesman he would tell lot of 'Good Qualities' about the girl,their family etc;Finally he will come to the most interesting part that is the share of the girl.His brokerage is usually 10% of the share amount from both sides.So that part is of great interest to him too.
I clarified to grandfather about this dowry part.Why should a girl pay when she is getting married to my uncle?Well, he told me with the logic of our forefathers on the share part.Amongst Syrian Christians we treat a boy at par with a girl.So I have 5 Children,3 Boys and 2 girls.I have 5 acres of Land.if I divide this 5 acres each acre will go to each child.But Syrian Christians being a patriarchal society we give the value of 1 acre land to my eldest daughter when she is married and value of another acre of land to my second daughter when she is married.Then 5 acre will be divided within my 3 sons and the house goes to the youngest as he is supposed to look after me.So that answered my question on Share part.
So all our relatives come to our house and help in preparation of different dishes as Catering companies were unheard of on those days.
The broker goes to girls parents and inform that such and such boy is interested.The parents would do primary enquiry about the nature,Qualification etc;of the boy and later come and request for the boy.Now,if accepted,boys parents will go and do the enquiry about girl.Once both the parties are satisfied an engagement is arranged and that is where the said share of the girl is given.Usually Engagement takes place at girls place and no.of people attending the count is taken because on the day of marriage the boys side would expect only 10 times the people who attended engagement besides as many people from boys side.
Monday, June 30, 2008
School Time
By June 1st week the schools in kerala open but our schools in M.P.would open only by July 3rd week.That gives us chance to attend Malayalam medium school for almost 7 weeks with our relatives.The Lower primary school is only till4th standard.Right from the Principal to the peon everyone is a relative or Known to the family unlike the city where we were studying.
Morning 9 a.m. it is assembly time which ends with national anthem.Later every teacher who comes to class would pray for 2 minutes before starting their topic.
Lunch hour is one hour and we all run to our homes have our food and run back to start the afternoon session.By 3 p.m. the school is off.We go back home slowly enjoying the rain,the waterfalls and the greenery.Those days Vacations were an experience which was practically enjoyed in a slow pace.
Now a days more people would prefer package tours to destinations in foreign country and the schedule is so tight that they don't realise what they are seeing until they come back and go thru their digital photographs.Hardly we try to understand the culture and beauty of the country we visit.
Morning 9 a.m. it is assembly time which ends with national anthem.Later every teacher who comes to class would pray for 2 minutes before starting their topic.
Lunch hour is one hour and we all run to our homes have our food and run back to start the afternoon session.By 3 p.m. the school is off.We go back home slowly enjoying the rain,the waterfalls and the greenery.Those days Vacations were an experience which was practically enjoyed in a slow pace.
Now a days more people would prefer package tours to destinations in foreign country and the schedule is so tight that they don't realise what they are seeing until they come back and go thru their digital photographs.Hardly we try to understand the culture and beauty of the country we visit.
Enjoying
Once in kerala there is nothing much to do hence the best way to while away time would be to work with workers on field.Iwould take the smallest spade available and try to do some physical work with the workers.However the elders would not allow us to do work once the sun is too hot.
Back home there is not much to do except listen to radio as Telvision was not available in India on those days.All India Radio Alleppy was the most used station and depending on weather we might also get Radio Trivandrum and Radio Trichur.They all have set timetable for programs and most of the day it will poetry or classical music which was of not much intrest to us children.So we would play with calf and small goat and then after lunch it is time to rest and later all go to the river for a good bath.Days seems to be so relaxed as compared to busy life in a city.
Once in a week we had market were everybody comes with there products.Vegetables,Chicken,eggs,jackfruit,Coconut plant etc; are for sale.I too wanted to sell something in the market so my grandfather allowed me to carry 20 numbers of eggs.Luckily in 2hrs I could sell all the eggs then I and my helper purchased things as per our list and came back home.The market was 4 Kms.from home and walking was the only means of travel!
Back home there is not much to do except listen to radio as Telvision was not available in India on those days.All India Radio Alleppy was the most used station and depending on weather we might also get Radio Trivandrum and Radio Trichur.They all have set timetable for programs and most of the day it will poetry or classical music which was of not much intrest to us children.So we would play with calf and small goat and then after lunch it is time to rest and later all go to the river for a good bath.Days seems to be so relaxed as compared to busy life in a city.
Once in a week we had market were everybody comes with there products.Vegetables,Chicken,eggs,jackfruit,Coconut plant etc; are for sale.I too wanted to sell something in the market so my grandfather allowed me to carry 20 numbers of eggs.Luckily in 2hrs I could sell all the eggs then I and my helper purchased things as per our list and came back home.The market was 4 Kms.from home and walking was the only means of travel!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Enchanting Kerala
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKsVnOgCSdE&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYuajt0Vww&feature=related
Once we reach home first and foremost thing to do will be to get rid of all the dirt that is accumulated all over body thanks to 4 days of journey.We go to a river near our house which has a very clean water.Head is washed with Shikakai soap as Shampoo was unheard of those days.
The cold water of river is very refreshing.
Later we have traditional Kerala food.Vacation in Kerala is full of enjoyment.Taking the Calf to feed on the ground as we are afraid of big Cows gave a proud feeling of a farmer.Also Goats,Hens,Dogs and Cats were all over.Climbing on a Cashew Nut tree was very enjoyable as those tree grew very low and was very strong.
Going to Local cinema was another thrill.The Theater was Hatched with palm leaves and inside you find steel chairs and wooden benches.People use to smoke beedi inside but as the place is hatched there is no congestion.During intervel people would drink marble soda.ie.soda bottle has a round marble inside and it is pushed down and soda is served.
The leading actors in those days were Satyan,Madhu,PremNazir and actress's were Sheela,Sharda and jayaBharathi.It was compulsory to bring in some comedy into the Film though it may not have any relation to the storyline.So Compulsorily Adoor Bhasi,Bhahadur and Sankradi or Kuthiravattom Pappu came in between and as a kid we had great laugh.Also villians were a compulsory feature and Ummer was almost a permanent Villian.Songs were of of various Lyrist but Vayalar Rama Varma is quite a distinction.Yesudas or jayachandran were permenent Male voice while P.Susheela,S.Janaki ,P.Madhuri were Female sounds.Television was not available on those days hence Radio made a regular companion to each and everyone in India.Radio Ceylon was a favourite station as it gave Latest Songs in that era.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYuajt0Vww&feature=related
Once we reach home first and foremost thing to do will be to get rid of all the dirt that is accumulated all over body thanks to 4 days of journey.We go to a river near our house which has a very clean water.Head is washed with Shikakai soap as Shampoo was unheard of those days.
The cold water of river is very refreshing.
Later we have traditional Kerala food.Vacation in Kerala is full of enjoyment.Taking the Calf to feed on the ground as we are afraid of big Cows gave a proud feeling of a farmer.Also Goats,Hens,Dogs and Cats were all over.Climbing on a Cashew Nut tree was very enjoyable as those tree grew very low and was very strong.
Going to Local cinema was another thrill.The Theater was Hatched with palm leaves and inside you find steel chairs and wooden benches.People use to smoke beedi inside but as the place is hatched there is no congestion.During intervel people would drink marble soda.ie.soda bottle has a round marble inside and it is pushed down and soda is served.
The leading actors in those days were Satyan,Madhu,PremNazir and actress's were Sheela,Sharda and jayaBharathi.It was compulsory to bring in some comedy into the Film though it may not have any relation to the storyline.So Compulsorily Adoor Bhasi,Bhahadur and Sankradi or Kuthiravattom Pappu came in between and as a kid we had great laugh.Also villians were a compulsory feature and Ummer was almost a permanent Villian.Songs were of of various Lyrist but Vayalar Rama Varma is quite a distinction.Yesudas or jayachandran were permenent Male voice while P.Susheela,S.Janaki ,P.Madhuri were Female sounds.Television was not available on those days hence Radio made a regular companion to each and everyone in India.Radio Ceylon was a favourite station as it gave Latest Songs in that era.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Train Journey
Travelling on a train those days were very hectic but enjoyable and adventurous.Those days the trains were running on steam engine.All over it is black smoke and many a times small pieces of coal usually got into your eyes.
For us to reach our destination Thiruvalla first we take a train and get down at Voltaire in AP or Nagpur in Maharashtra.From there after waiting for 4hrs.another train comes from Calcutta for Madras.That would take whole day and night,Next day morning we reach Madras.However the next train for Cochin will be only at 7.00 pm.So we have 12 hrs.We get into a Lodge near Railway Station.First thing to do is take a bath and whole lot of black steam is cleared from our body and is quite refreshing.Then famous Idly vada breakfast and filter coffee is taken and immediately we hit the bed.By 1.30pm we are asked to get for lunch and famous south Indian vegetarian meals is served.I really cherish the south Indian meals available at Madras those days.Next is a trip to famous Moore market.Bargaining is the biggest lesson you learn from that Market.I usually buy some fancy items beside books which was surprisingly very lowly priced with lot of choices.Even now when I visit Chennai I long for the Moore market but it got demolished and is replaced by railways booking office.One thing that we find in India is we do not value anything old.Rather than preserving it as a Monument it had been razed.In modern Bangalore too the same trend is followed.I hope better sense would prevail with the authorities and would preserve the antics.
So after shopping at Moore market we reach our lodge pack up everything.by 6.00pm one more vegetarian dinner the famous Chapati and veg.Kuruma along with salad.Then off to station.By 6.30 the train Cochin Express is ready and we go into the reserved coach.The Train is very neat and clean as compared other trains which we travelled till now.Next day morning we reach Ernakulum Junction.Further we rush into Quilon Passenger train and it travels at a snail pace and by 11am we reach Thiruvalla.Further we reach home by Taxi as Autoriksha was not Known those days.
For us to reach our destination Thiruvalla first we take a train and get down at Voltaire in AP or Nagpur in Maharashtra.From there after waiting for 4hrs.another train comes from Calcutta for Madras.That would take whole day and night,Next day morning we reach Madras.However the next train for Cochin will be only at 7.00 pm.So we have 12 hrs.We get into a Lodge near Railway Station.First thing to do is take a bath and whole lot of black steam is cleared from our body and is quite refreshing.Then famous Idly vada breakfast and filter coffee is taken and immediately we hit the bed.By 1.30pm we are asked to get for lunch and famous south Indian vegetarian meals is served.I really cherish the south Indian meals available at Madras those days.Next is a trip to famous Moore market.Bargaining is the biggest lesson you learn from that Market.I usually buy some fancy items beside books which was surprisingly very lowly priced with lot of choices.Even now when I visit Chennai I long for the Moore market but it got demolished and is replaced by railways booking office.One thing that we find in India is we do not value anything old.Rather than preserving it as a Monument it had been razed.In modern Bangalore too the same trend is followed.I hope better sense would prevail with the authorities and would preserve the antics.
So after shopping at Moore market we reach our lodge pack up everything.by 6.00pm one more vegetarian dinner the famous Chapati and veg.Kuruma along with salad.Then off to station.By 6.30 the train Cochin Express is ready and we go into the reserved coach.The Train is very neat and clean as compared other trains which we travelled till now.Next day morning we reach Ernakulum Junction.Further we rush into Quilon Passenger train and it travels at a snail pace and by 11am we reach Thiruvalla.Further we reach home by Taxi as Autoriksha was not Known those days.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8Hnphg6bFo&feature=related
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