Flying Together 1-Roots and Wings

FLYING TOGETHER : M.M.NINAN
II
My Grand father Geevarughese Chennattu Mammen died in his youth.
The story is that he moved to Kozhenchery buying out a Brahmin Madam (House). But he went
to supervise the estate, which was in Mannarakulanji. The entire Mannarakulanji area of
hundreds of acres with its paddy fields belonged to the Chennattu family.
Thus through generations we were given the Christian teachings, which we were aware that
they were modified through history in terms of worship, rituals and doctrines. At any rate during
the seperation of Jacobite Orthodox tradition and Reformation tradition, they have opted the
Reformation tradition with no icons or even crosses in our homes. We have no idea of the
native faith and traditions before the sixth century AD when all the history was erased by the
domination of Brahmins who left just a name - Kalabhra Inter-regnum for the period. It just
meant "the period of the rule of Kerala Putras whose history is not known". The only biblical
reminders were the Bible verses hanging or written on the walls. Invariably all Nazrani families
rose early and gathered the whole family in prayer before routine work. So also in the night for
prayer before going to bed.
Even our dog Caesar came and sat down for the prayer in our younger days. Bible was read on
those occasions. Every Sunday it was inevitable that we go to Church.
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6
How true. As such even when we gave no importance to religious faith and doctrines we
invariably went to Church. Read the Bible, discussed bible and got involved in the church
activities and discussions. There is an anchoring force in the rituals even when it lost its impact
which in most cases brought almost every one of us back to Christ.
Even as an atheist, I went to church every sunday. Took part in the discussions and activities of
the Student Christian Movement, Young Men's Christian Assoication, and camps and
gatherings associated with the Church.
17