Book Review - Monday, August 23, 2010 0:57 - 7 Comments

“THE VARTHAMANAPPUSTHAKAM” written by Cathanar Thomman Paremmakkal

“An account of the history of Malabar Church between the years 1773 and 1786 with special emphasis on the events connected with the journey from Malabar to Rome via Lisbon and back undertaken by Malpan Mar Joseph Cariattil and Cathanar Thomman Paremmakkal”.

“Varthamanappusthakam” (1785) is the first travelogue written in an Indian language. The narrative of “Varthamanappusthakam “ begins with the death of Florence, Vicar Apostolic of Malabar in 1773. It elaborates all that happened after the death of Florence including the journey of Malpan Cariattil and Cathanar Paremmakkal to Europe with the events connected with it and ends with their return journey until they sighted the island of Ceylon. Dr. Placid J Podipara CMI translated this book into English and it is published by Pontifical Oriental Institute of Rome in 1971.

About the Author

Cathanar Thomman Paremmakkal was born on September 10, 1736 Kadanad in the present Syro Malabar eparchy of Palai. He was ordained as a priest in 1761 and was the pastor of a few churches including his native church at Kadanad. He was well versed in Malayalam, Syriac, Latin, Sanskrit, Italian and Portuguese. He also authored a number of books including the translation of the book entitled ‘Imitation of Christ’ into Malayalam.

Cathanar Thomman Paremmakkal returned from Goa as the Governador or the Administrator of vacant See of Cranganore. He could not do anything officially for the reunion with Mar Thomas VI as the faculties were given to Mar Cariattil.

Up on return, Paremmakkal resided at Angamali. In 1787, the representatives of all churches assembled at Angamali and executed the famous Padiyola. All their grievances beginning from the death of Mar Abraham ( 1599) is addressed in Padiyola. They asked the Queen of Portugal to nominate Paremakkal as the archbishop, and in case the Queen did not agree, they decided to re course to Chaldean Patriarch. In due course, the Carmelities got assurance from Portugal through Rome that Paremmakkal would not be made archbishop.

Tippu Sultan’s invasion caused Paremakkal to shift his residence and administration of the Church to Vadayar near Palai in 1790. He moved to Ramapuram towards the end of his life and administrated the Church from there. He died at Ramapuram on March 20^th 1799.

On March 26 1936, the body was exhumed and the remains were taken out and deposited in the wall of the sanctuary of old church at Ramapuram.

Background

After the Coonan Cross Oath, the Saint Thomas Christians were divided in to two groups one under the Archdeacon and the other with Rome.

Among the Catholics, the Carmelite delegate in 1663 consecrated Alexander Parampil ( Chandy Pallivettil) as Vicar Apostolic of Cranganore and Malabar under the Propaganda for those who were reluctant to be under the Padraoado Cranganore ( Jesuits ). No native was appointed as his successor and was followed by Carmelities. The Malabar Catholics had several complaints about the ‘Propaganda’ authorities who were all Carmelities. They alleged that their priests were treated so badly that even one was killed at the instigation of the Vicar Apostolic.

Those under the Archdeacon were ruled by the successors of Mar Thomas I. The Vicar Apostolic Francis Sales was not favorable to the re union of Mar Thomas VI ( known as Mar Dionysius I).

Contents

After many deliberations at different places, the Malabar Church assembly resolved to send a delegation to Rome. The delegation included Malpan Joseph Cariattil and Cathanar Thomman Paremmakkal. Continue…