T
Thomas48
Guest
Hello Friends,
I thought I would share some interesting correlations between the Cochin Jews of Kerala and the Knanaya Christians. In the year 2005, the Cochin Jew scholar Dr. P.M Jussay did a comparative study on the wedding culture and folk tradtions of the Knanaya and Cochin Jews. According to folk history the Knanaya claim a Jewish origin, so they gained the attention of Dr. P.M Jussay and led him to do this study. His results were stunning in the fact that some of the folk songs and traditions of these two communities were exactly the same. Below I have shared some of these songs and their lyrics. I have also posted the links to the Knanaya versions of the songs. Sadly I could not find the Cochin Jew version online.
Reference: Jussay, P. M. (2005). The Jews of Kerala. Calicut: Publication division, University of Calicut.
Knanaya “Kulli Pattu” or “Bath Song”:
“Ponnum methiyadimel melle melle aval natannu
Velli methiyadimle melle melle aval natannu”
Cochin Jewish procession song:
"Ponnum methiyadimel melle natannan, Chiriyanandan,
Velli methiyadimel melle natannan, Chriyanandan
Knanaya blessing song:
“Vazhvenna Vazhu ninakke thannen
(Let thine be the blessed life)
Neeyum nin bharthavum makkalum koote
Kalam peruthayi vanittirikennam
(With thy husband and childrne let thee live for long)
Vazhvanam bhoomi bhalamake thannen
Pangittu nin makkal kolluka yenneki”
(Earth and all its fruits were granted to thee and to thy children to share)
Cochin Jewish blessing song:
“Vazhuvanna Vazhvu ninakkayirika
(Life blessed I have bestowed to thee)
Makkalum shalom peruthayirkka
Vazhuka thangeya perana bhoomil
(Large be the number of thy children and peace great)
Pangittu nin makkal kolluka yenneki”
(To thee and thy children to share)
Knanaya song: "He Comes In Gold Decorated Palanquin"
“Ponnantheedum thandukaleri
Mangala velam kanman
(He comes in gold decorated palanquin to witness the wedding festivities)
Valarkoti munnil muthanithone
Vattakam Vessumeethe
(The noble standard in front and the diamond studded alavattom swaying)
Pinnani munnilakambai nayan
Nin Viliyattum pattum”
(Unintelligible, however similar to Cochin Jew lyric)
Cochin Jewish song: "He Comes In Gold Decorated Palanquin"
"Ponnantheedum thandukaleri
Mangala velam kanman
(He comes in gold decorated palanquin to witness the wedding festivities)
Ponnorumala marvilum ponnu
Poosari manthal meethe
Mannavan ekan poyithuyilatum
Pattani poondu nalla
(With gold chain in the chest and gold glittered canopy above a king clad in golden fluttering silks)
Valarkoti munnil muthanithone
Vattakam Vessumeethe
(The noble standard in front and the diamond studded alavattom swaying)
Munnani pinnilakambadi nayarum
Velayattum pattum
(Retinue of Nair soldiers in front and rear with dance and song)
I thought I would share some interesting correlations between the Cochin Jews of Kerala and the Knanaya Christians. In the year 2005, the Cochin Jew scholar Dr. P.M Jussay did a comparative study on the wedding culture and folk tradtions of the Knanaya and Cochin Jews. According to folk history the Knanaya claim a Jewish origin, so they gained the attention of Dr. P.M Jussay and led him to do this study. His results were stunning in the fact that some of the folk songs and traditions of these two communities were exactly the same. Below I have shared some of these songs and their lyrics. I have also posted the links to the Knanaya versions of the songs. Sadly I could not find the Cochin Jew version online.
Reference: Jussay, P. M. (2005). The Jews of Kerala. Calicut: Publication division, University of Calicut.
Knanaya “Kulli Pattu” or “Bath Song”:
“Ponnum methiyadimel melle melle aval natannu
Velli methiyadimle melle melle aval natannu”
Cochin Jewish procession song:
"Ponnum methiyadimel melle natannan, Chiriyanandan,
Velli methiyadimel melle natannan, Chriyanandan
Knanaya blessing song:
“Vazhvenna Vazhu ninakke thannen
(Let thine be the blessed life)
Neeyum nin bharthavum makkalum koote
Kalam peruthayi vanittirikennam
(With thy husband and childrne let thee live for long)
Vazhvanam bhoomi bhalamake thannen
Pangittu nin makkal kolluka yenneki”
(Earth and all its fruits were granted to thee and to thy children to share)
Cochin Jewish blessing song:
“Vazhuvanna Vazhvu ninakkayirika
(Life blessed I have bestowed to thee)
Makkalum shalom peruthayirkka
Vazhuka thangeya perana bhoomil
(Large be the number of thy children and peace great)
Pangittu nin makkal kolluka yenneki”
(To thee and thy children to share)
Knanaya song: "He Comes In Gold Decorated Palanquin"
“Ponnantheedum thandukaleri
Mangala velam kanman
(He comes in gold decorated palanquin to witness the wedding festivities)
Valarkoti munnil muthanithone
Vattakam Vessumeethe
(The noble standard in front and the diamond studded alavattom swaying)
Pinnani munnilakambai nayan
Nin Viliyattum pattum”
(Unintelligible, however similar to Cochin Jew lyric)
Cochin Jewish song: "He Comes In Gold Decorated Palanquin"
"Ponnantheedum thandukaleri
Mangala velam kanman
(He comes in gold decorated palanquin to witness the wedding festivities)
Ponnorumala marvilum ponnu
Poosari manthal meethe
Mannavan ekan poyithuyilatum
Pattani poondu nalla
(With gold chain in the chest and gold glittered canopy above a king clad in golden fluttering silks)
Valarkoti munnil muthanithone
Vattakam Vessumeethe
(The noble standard in front and the diamond studded alavattom swaying)
Munnani pinnilakambadi nayarum
Velayattum pattum
(Retinue of Nair soldiers in front and rear with dance and song)
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