Interviews and Performances - Video List
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East Syriac/ Aramaic Language of Revelation:
Koonammakkal Thoma Kathanar

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AP 219A - East Syriac/ Aramaic Language of Revelation: Koonammakkal Thoma Kathanar
Call Number

AP 219A

Part Number Part I - Syro Malabar Church
Title East Syriac/ Aramaic_Language of Revelation: Koonammakkal Thoma Kathanar
Duration 3m:11s
Place of Recording Beth Aprem Nazrani Dayra, Kuravilangad, Kottayam Dt., Kerala, India.
Date of Recording 3 August 2014
Youtube URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJGJoPfEi-g
Video Segment (s)

 

Notes

Koonammakkal Thoma Kathanar:
The beauty and the relevance of the East Syriac tradition of the Syro Malabar Church
See earlier interview at Aramaic Project-16

Here is an excerpt from a short and sweet conversation between Jarley Mathew and Koonammakal Thoma Kathanar, an intellectual giant of the Syro Malabar Church. The topic is the greatness of the Syriac language and music that our forefathers zealously held on to for centuries and then just let them go into oblivion by the generation that lived in the second half of the twentieth century. Koonammakkal Kathnar felt the pain and took a bold step to start the Beth Aprem Nazrani Dayra, where the Syriac language and liturgy found a home. It is not clear if his vision will continue to flourish, but we are happy to document his dream in his own words. Syriac liturgy played a significant role in his attraction toward priestly ministry as a young man. He continued his interest and became a consummate scholar in the Syriac language and culture.

Thoma Kathanar cherished great appreciation for the efforts of the CMI Congregation in serving the Syriac tradition of the Syro Malabar Church. The Kathanar kept the photo of three CMI luminaries on his table: Fr. John Bosco Thottakkara (aka Guru Yohand 1920-2005, Fr. Placid Podipara, 1899-1985, and Fr. Emmanuel Thelly, 1925-2015). This is the photo we see in the background.

Recently, due to ill health, Thoma Kathanar retired from academic activities. We do not know the future of the Dayara. Fortunately, the Kathanar had glimpses of the emerging interest and energized conversations on the Aramaic tradition among the Syro Malabar Catholics' younger generation across the world. Thoma Kathanar was immensely happy to hear about the Aramaic Project, and granted us an extensive interview on 3 August 2014 (Aramaic Project-16 • Aramaic Project-16. Koonammakkal Thom... ). That interview has become a valuable educational resource. We wish Thoma Kathanar peace and good health in the coming years. May the good Lord reward him for his zeal for the House of the Lord.

Reference: Aramaic Project-16 • Aramaic Project-16. Koonammakkal Thom...

Joseph J. Palackal, CMI
New York
13 November 2020.

Video - AP 219 - Beauty of the Syriac language and music Koonammakkal Thoma Kathanar

Keywords: Koonammakkal Thoma Kathanar, Beth Aprem Nazrani Dayara, Jarly Mathew. Syriac language

Related Videos

  • AP 16 - Interview with Koonammakkal Thoma Kathanar.
  • AP 16a – Koonammakkal Thoma Kathanar becomes emotional while speaking about the contributions of Fr. Emmanuel Thelly, CMI (1925-2015) and the failure from the part of the Syro Malabar Church to "recognize the face of a scholar."
  • AP 16c – Etymology of the word "Aramaic." Koonammakkal Thoma Kathanar
  • AP 16d – What is the Etymology of the word " Chaldaya." Koonammakkal Thoma Kathanar
  • AP 16f – Koonammakal Thoma Kathanar about the library at Beth Aprem Nazrani Dayra
  • AP 28 -The pronunciation of Syriac in Kerala and Iraq.
  • AP 120 - Who is the real founder of the CMI Congregation ? The INCONVENIENT TRUTH.
  • AP 218 - Fr. Emmanuel Thelly, CMI, A Servant of the Syro Malabar Church.
  • AP 221 - A Catechism Class on St. Ephrem the Syrian. Koonammakkal Thoma Kathanar.
  • AP 308 - Prof. Sebastian Brock pays tribute to Rev. Dr. Thomas Koonammakkal Part-1
  • AP 309 - Prof. Sebastian Brock on Dr. Koonammakkal's Contribution to Syriac studies in India

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