Seminar I - Sponsored by TPCAC, AILCF & Enthurai
25 July, 2010 at Chinnathurai
Photos: http://www.youtube.com/watch? V=fAcxRSS0u1M
[Note: Some of the files may not be of reasonable quality. Special attentions will be paid in the future sessions.]
The idea of organizing a seminar on Mukkuva History originated in July 2008, when Kanyakumari Costal Artists’ Collective, Colachel Youth and Costal People’s Movement jointly organized the 267th Anniversary of Colachel War.
[Note: Some of the files may not be of reasonable quality. Special attentions will be paid in the future sessions.]
The idea of organizing a seminar on Mukkuva History originated in July 2008, when Kanyakumari Costal Artists’ Collective, Colachel Youth and Costal People’s Movement jointly organized the 267th Anniversary of Colachel War.
Senior elites like Mr. Albert Joseph had been urging since long with persons like Fr. Panky and Dr. Vareethiah to trace the root of Mukkuva who have a culture that is older by Millennia, than Catholicism in South Travancore Cost.
Mr. Melvin Vinoth of All India Latin Catholic Federation in fact floated the idea; The Colachel War Pillar must be celebrated as an icon of the Mukkuva History. It was against this setting that Enthurai was called to associate with such an attempt and the idea materialized on 25-July-2010.
1. Introductory Remarks
Dr. K. Vareethiah
2. Presidential Address
Pulavar Saviour
3. The History of Thoothoor People
Mr. GR Thoothoor
4. The Mukkuva History that hasn’t come to Light
Dr. J. Albaris
5. The Venad Mukkuvar
Mr. S. Leo Pereira
6. The Colachel War and the Mukkuvas
Mr. Melvin Vinodh
7. Song
Mr. Venis
7. Mrs. Janet
8. Mr. Franklin
9. Mr. Michael Nayakam
10. Mrs. Jeesal Mary
11. Mr. Vargheese
12. Mrs. Stellency
13. Fr. Claret
14. Dr. K. Vareethiah
The purpose of the efforts is:
• To understand the history.
• To realize the presence.
• To understand the impacts of recent technological changes and government’s certain policies.
• To fill the intergenerational gap.
• To initiate a conversation among the people in our society.
At the end of the process, it was felt that the people had been anxiously waiting for these things to happen. In response to the presentations, some participants suggested that the proceedings of the seminar much be published. Others felt that deliberations of such kind and order must continue. A few others appealed that pressing contemporary issue like grand of relief, fixing price for catches need to be addressed in future.
All villages from the island except Poothurai (there were 2 funerals held at Poothurai in the same day) represented the session.
Dr. Vareethiah appreciated the role of Enthurai in having brought heterogeneous people from all villages which made the program very effective.
Decisions made after this gathering:
Discussions with the participants and the seniors of our community,
different sessions with the focus on:
Seniors of the society,
Senior Fishermen,
Women Head Load Fish Vendors,
Entrepreneurs including Mariners Experts of Fishing Vessels
and Mechanized boats, Experts from Science and IT,
Costal Folklorists and exhibition of talents and
Costal Sportsmen have been planned.
It has triggered an interest among the community to learn more about the past, to add fuel to the growth and strengthen the foundation for empowerment of our community. Accordingly monthly meets are being organized in different hamlets with local support and sponsorship. [from the Enthurai.org]
