Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar

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Mar

Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar
Administrator of the
Malankara Church (Paḻayakūṟ)

Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar (1736–1799) is the author of

Archdiocese of Cranganore with transnational ties to Portuguese ecclesiology who nevertheless argues in favor of autonomous civic Indian governance.[1]

He was also a polyglot, an efficient administrator and priest of the Malankare Kaldaya Suriyani Sabha (known officially as the

Syro-Malabar Catholic Church since 1923), who tried to bring about unity in the Church and also to maintain its unique heritage.[1]

Paremmakkal Thoma was born as the fourth child of Paremmakkal Itty Chandy and Anna of

Alengad Seminary to learn Latin and Portuguese and for priesthood. In 1761, he was ordained as a Kathanar (priest). He served as vicar in different churches up to 1778.[1]

Thomma Kathanar made tireless efforts to bring about unity in the Church in Kerala which had split following the

Kariattil Mar Ousep Malpan.[1]

The description of this journey is recorded in his book Varthamanapusthakam, considered to be the first travelogue among all Indian languages. The historic journey to Rome to represent the grievances of Kerala's Syrian Catholics started from the boat jetty in

Ceylon they sailed to Cape of Good Hope at the tip of Africa. They were to sail to Portugal from there but adverse winds drifted their ship in the Atlantic Ocean taking it to the coast of Latin America. A further journey from the Latin American coast took them to their destination.[1]

The journey to the destination took more than a year. While they were in

Archdiocese after him,[2]
and handed over the cross, chain and ring, the tokens of his power, which had been presented to him by the Portuguese queen.

Although the headquarters of Archdiocese of Kodungallur was at Pookkaatt, Aripalam muri of

Tippu Sultan. In the last four years of his life, Thoma Kathanar managed church administration from his own parish, Ramapuram
.

The history of travelogues in Malayalam is short but exciting and absorbing. The first work in the genre Varthamapusthakam was written by P. Thoma Kathanar (1736–99) in the latter part of the eighteenth century but its existence was totally forgotten by later generations. It was discovered in 1935 and was printed next year. Sankaran Namboothiri informs that Kathanar accompanied K. Yausep Malpan in his journey from Parur to Rome. They went by foot up to Madras from where they sailed. They took along route via Cape of Good Hope, South America and Lisbon. The voyage lasted nearly eight years." It is-certainly one of the most valuable travel accounts available in any Indian language.[4]

Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar remained the Governador for thirteen years. He died on 20 March 1799.

Vathamanapusthakam was first published in the 18th century

Kochi.[9]

See also

Joseph the Indian

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Malekandathil, Pius (2013). "Nazrani History and Discourse on Early Nationalism in Varthamanapusthakam". NSC Network. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  2. ^ "Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar". The Syro-Malabar Church. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  3. ^ "Padiyola". St.George's Basilica, Angamāly. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012.
  4. ^ Das, Sisir Kumar. History of Indian Literature: 1911–1956, struggle for freedom : triumph and tragedy. p. 253.
  5. ^ Literary Tradition. keralahistory.ac.in. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  6. ISBN 9788126421572
    .
  7. ^ "Varthamanappusthakam". Archived from the original on 27 April 2013.
  8. ^ Kottyam
  9. ^ "Museum". The Syro-Malabar Church. Archived from the original on 29 October 2007. Retrieved 28 September 2013.

Further reading

  • Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar, Varthamanappusthakam, transl. By P.J. Podipara, Rome, 1971
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