Notes

George Njarakunnel Reclaiming identity through Syriac chants in America

George and I met for the first time under unusual circumstances. I was walking toward the dining hall of the Convention Center the Hilton Hotel at Houston, Texas. We both were there for the Syro Malabar Convention. George, who, along with his brother, was walking in the opposite direction, recognized me in the crowd and greeted me. He said that he knew me by watching the Aramaic Project videos of the CMSI Youtube channel. This was the first time I enjoyed face-recognition. Geroge and his brother and I started a conversation. I was delighted to meet someone who was following the Aramaic Project on the Youtube channel. Immediately, I thought of introducing George to the Aramaic Project audience. Little did I know at that time that George was quite recently married and that Syriac chants were part of his nuptial Qurbana. George's brother was kind enough to video record our conversation on his cellphone in the courtyard of the Convention Center. We plan to post the videos of the wedding ceremony with Syriac chants later. George's interest in Syriac chants started at the Syro Malabar Qurbana at the National Shrine and Basilica of Immaculate Conception in Washington, D. C. on 7 September 2013. The liturgy that day included two Syriac chants, Puqdankon (Aramaic Project-65) and Qandisa alaha. (Aramaic Project 66 ), The content of this conversation is an indication that the younger generation of Indian American Syro Malabar Catholics is warming up to the Syriac heritage. I am extremely happy to see the seeds sown on that day bearing fruits many years later.

Joseph J. Palackal, CMI
New York
30 August 2019