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SEPTEMBER, 1928)
THOMAS OANA
161
as well as by the accounts he received from them; he was, however, grieved to find that the state of the Christians had so greatly (P. 193) declined, and the few good converts remaining had laboured under every possible disadvantage, especially by having no ordained minister of the gospel among them. The merchant Kanoy Thoma, who was honoured with this special mission, discharged his duty with fidelity, and he lost no time in conveying the tidings of the primitive Christians whom he found settled on the coast of Malabar to the bishop of Antioch. Further it is certain that, from the interesting accounts he gave, a bishop with a few presby. ters or Kashusbas, Shemshanas or deacons, together with several families of Syrians were despatched under the care of the merchant Kanoy Thoma, with a view that the Christian religion might be re-established, and preached in its purity in all the prinitive churches in Malayalam. Subsequently the bishop of Antioch landed at Codungalore, commonly known by the name of Cranganore, with his ecclesiastical suite and followers, accompanied by the merchant, and on their arrival the converts of the apostle Thomas named Dareoygul as above observed, with others belonging to the Cotaycoyle, were rejoiced to find that the evils which prevailed among them were likely to be removed, and were inspired with confidence; and those difficulties were surmounted which had frustrated the extension of knowledge and religious liberty amongst them.
“The bishop soon after his landing, together with the merchant, visited the then sove. reign of Malayalam, Sharakone Permaul, to whom they made several rich and costly presents, and took this occasion to mention to the rajah their design, and how Christianity had been introduced, and found an asylum in this part of the world from the earliest times. The rajah received them with the utmost kindness, and promised to allow them the free exercise of their religious worship, so long as the sun and moon endureth, and further called these luminaries to witness the truth of his declarations; and at the same time the raja was pleased to confer fresh testimonies of his approbation by certain honourable distinctions, together with valuable and costly presents. (P. 194). (Footnote :-)
Thundu100 .. ..A costly Palankeen, conveyance made to hang on silk cords. Pullauku
.. Do. Palankeen.
100 Here I shall comment on the privileges enumerated, giving the correct forms of the words first. (1) Tapte: a kind of palanquin; (2) Pallekke: another kind of palanquin; (3) Para vatani: carpet ; (6) Panchavatam : chain of gold hung from the neck; (5) VetichAmaram : chauri or fly-whisk; (6) Alvattam: fan made of peacock feathers; (7) Tala: fan used as banner or standard ; (8) Kuta : s costly umbrella of coloured silk; (9) NatanatAtte: shouting nafa, napa, i.e., 'on, on,' in a procession. This is done by men. (10) Narivây klurave : lingual cheers by women; (11) Anchinam vadyannal :five kinds of musical instruments, víz., two varieties of drums, gong, cymbale and trumpet ; (12) Natap&vata : walking oloth (cloth spread on the road for walking along): (13) Pakalvilakke: daytime lamp ; (14) Manakkolam : small decorated pavilion or canopiod dais for seating the bride and bridegroom when they have returned from church after the marriage ceremony: (15) Channayum channamelkkottiyum : & seat with an awning: (16) Uchchippû : flower-like ornament for tho crown of the head of women; (17) Nettippattam: ornament covering the forepart of the head of women; (18) Kachchappuram: chain belt of gold or silver ; (19) Munkaippatakkam : ornament for the forearm; (20) Tovala : bracelet for the upper arm; (21) Virochannala : wrist chain of gold granted to heroes; (22) Viratanta: Anklet for here; (23) KAlchilampe: tinkling foot ornament for women ; (24) Pánůl : thread or chain worn baldric-wise; (26) Chankuchakram : conch-shell for blowing, and the discus; (26) Itupati : draw.bridge at the gate . 127) Makaratöranam : ornamental arches temporarily put up for festive scorpions; (28) Nant&vilakke lamp burning day and night; (29) Hastakatakam: bracelet for the hand or wrist; (30) Kanakamuti: gold crown for bridegroom's head; (31) Abharapannal: ornaments in general; (32) Ansmel mappunir: purificatory water brought on an elephant.
Many of the above are mentioned in the extant Malabar Christian copper-plates. To English readers the privilege of wearing ornamento may seem to be no privilege to be obtained from a king. But Malabar is A land of curious customs and manners. Even so recently 38 A.D. 1818 (in the 19th century) Queen Parvati Bhai of Travancore had to issue a royal proclamation (dated 19th Madam, 993 X...) allowing the Nairs and some other castes of bor kingdom to wear ornaments of gold or silver without paying the usual fee to Government and obtaining the necomary sanction. The Brahmans and Syrian Christians of her land Aro not mentioned in the list, because they had the privilego already.
