AP 111 to 120

Aramaic Project - I

Interviews and Performances - Video List

No. 120 to 111

AP 120 - Who is the real founder of the CMI Congregation ? The INCONVENIENT TRUTH.

Dr. Thomas Konnammakkal, an intellectually honest scholar and philosopher, argues that Palackal Thoma Malpan (1780-1841) is the founder of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI). Fr. Koonammakkal builds his thesis on a key phrase from the Chronicles of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara (1805-1871) കൊവേന്തയുടെ തുടക്കം (Malayalam, “the starting/founder of the Monastery/Congregation”), in reference to Palackal Thoma Malpan.....

AP 119 - Solemn Syriac Qurbana . Fr. Probus Perumalil, CMI. A musical treasure.

This recording is a musical treasure and valuable addition to our Aramaic Project archive. It can serve as a reference point for historians of Syriac liturgy, Indian Christianity, and Kerala culture. Also, the recording contains a vast body of melodies and several examples of performance practices that can be a resource for musicologists who work on inter and intra-cultural musical borrowings. What we have here is a pre-1962 version of the solemn Qurbana in Syriac, which contains the Syriac translation of a few chants borrowed from the Roman Catholic (Latin) tradition.

AP 119a - A different way of singing Qandisa Alaha (pre 1962 Missal). Fr. Perumalil CMI.

A different Performance practice (manner of executing a melody) of Qandisa Alaha. From the solemn Qurbana (pre-1962 missal) of Fr. Probus Perumalil, CMI (1922-2009). Recorded at St. Joseph's Monastery Chapel, Mannanam, Kerala, India. Early 1980s......

AP 118 - Dr. Joseph J.Palackal, CMI introduces Syriac chants at his native parish.

It was indeed an honor for me to get an opportunity to be the celebrant for the solemn Qurbana on the day of the principal feast of my native parish, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, on August 15 (2018). It is all the more honorable because; the main altar of this church is also the resting place of the saintly Palackal Thoma Malpan (1780-1841), my collateral ancestor......

AP 117 - Fr. Augustine Kandathikudilil, "The Syriac language, a connecting link."

Fr. Augustine Kandathikudilil had the privilege of learning the Syriac language as well as Syriac melodies of the solemn Qurbana from a great priest, teacher, and talented singer, Fr. George Plathottam. Fr. Augustine also imbibed the zeal to promote the East Syriac heritage of the Syro Malabar Church. Fr. Augustine celebrates Solemn Qurbana in Syriac occasionally....

AP 116 - Mebin John (Rooha Media), on a mission to promote the Syriac heritage.

It was indeed a pleasure to speak to Mebin John, who is passionate about promoting the Syriac heritage of the Syro Malabar Church. Mebin acquired an interest in the Syriac language and liturgy early on when he was a young boy. Although not a singer, Mebin was mesmerized by the Syriac melodies that he listened to occasionally in his parish church....

AP 115 - Syriac words in Malayalam prayer vocabulary: Antony & Elamma Pathinaril.

Antony and Elamma Pathinaril recite the Angelus and Our Father in Malayalam. These prayers include several Syriac words (in their East-Syriac/Chaldean pronunciation). The video sheds light on the liturgical practices until the middle of the twentieth century.

AP 114 - The Syriac translation of the Latin chant "Gloria".

This video takes us to a particular era in the history of Syriac chants and liturgy in South India. The Portuguese missionaries introduced some of the Latin-rite practices in the Syro Malabar liturgy. The singing of “Gloria,” during the liturgy of the Word, was one of them.

AP 113 - Dr. Thomas Kalayil, CMI, speaks On "Sagdinan Mar," the Christological hymn

Dr. Thomas Kalayil’s take on the semantics of the phrase, “d’la pulaga” in the famous Christological chant “Sagdinan mar” is interesting. He thinks that “without division” is not relevant. Fr. Kalayil also draws attention to the many such theological hymns that did not see the light in Malayalam translation.

AP 112 - The Two Founders of the CMI Congregation?

This conversation is a corrective to the current narrative about the origin of the CMI Congregation. We are lucky to have Rev. Dr. Thomas Kalayil, CMI, a retired professor at Dharmaram Vidya Kshethram. The conversation is based on historical documents that highlight the role of Palackal Thoma Malpan (circa 1780-1841) and Porukkara Thoma Malpan (1800-1846) in the founding of a new religious congregation in India.

AP 111 - Turgama (interpretative song): Fr Cyril Thayyil and Fr Joseph Kizhakkekkutt

Fr. Cyril Thayyil and Fr. Joseph Kizhakkekkutt sing the Turgama during Raza. Recorded on 28 July 2018. Note: Turgama (literally, “interpretation,” “translation”) is one of the popular poetic genres in Syriac literature. The Turgama we listen here is from Raza, the most solemn celebration of Qurbana in the Syro Malabar tradition. The servers and the choir sing the turgamma antiphonally.....