Last night we drove through town with celebrations well under way, Hindu pilgrims making their way to the Temple, walking up to 100 miles, 10 miles per day. Sugar canes are bought and waved, and I presume eaten.
Today, the young people pretend to be a family where Pongal is explained and Pongal cooked (we tasted some yesterday- delicious). There is folk singing and dance including Tamil folk-instruments. We are reminded that as we help the poor we serve God. We conclude with communion but we use nuts in place of bread, juice I think from sugar cane with ginger for wine. This is used for special celebrations, with the same spiritual meaning.
A new pot is made and painted for the first fruits of harvest
Pongal is also a delicious food, made in the pot. Here some queue up to enjoy it.
Various views:
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The Dalit Resource Centre has been very influential
in helping develop Dalit leadership in society
and developing Dalit art
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| Spot the ecological emphases |
We discover more of how committed TTS are to the poor, especially the Dalit. They have encouraged the development of Dalit leadership and art through a Dalit Resource Centre. I hear of two theologians to explore: James Massey and A P Nirmal.
A stimulating conversation in the afternoon with the Principal J. David Rajendran, and several staff and students. The integrity of Newbigin as someone always for the poor came across, not least in stories about him. We heard debate that perhaps CSI needs to rediscover this passion for the poor, though in our experience it is very much this. But our experience is limited.
We are privileged to spend further time in conversation with the Principal afterwards.
In the evening a wonderful outing to a Sound and Light at the palace of Tirumalai Naik (1623-1659).
It tells something of the history of his reign including the flowering of art and the welcoming of different faith traditions. Stephen Neill speaks of this period in his history of the church in India. His reign coincided with the mission of Robert Nobili who had arrived as a young Jesuit in Goa in 1605. Madurai became the centre for his mission. Neill writes (A History of Christianity in India - The Beginnings to 1707, p 260) that there "began a career marked by originality unsurpassed by any missionary in India before or after his time." Nobili determined to "as far as was possible, [to] become a Brahman for their sakes." (p281). Neil notes that Tirumai Naik "intended to make himself a great conqueror. To this end he assembled a considerable army... The people of the area suffered severely from the recurrent famines which were due at least in part to his military ambitions. The gerenal atmosphere of suspicion and uncertainty was unfavourable to amicable discussion with Hindus and to the extension of the Christian congregation."
Newbigin in "The Gospel in Pluralist Society' discusses Robert Nobili and notes that "[a] daring effort at contextualisation has, [in the view of later generations of Indian Christians], betrayed the gospel" because of Nobili's acceptance of the caste system. Newbigin has a helpful discussion of indigenisation / contextualisation. (pp142ff)
The evening finished with a very enjoyable meal out together. The restaurant is celebrating Pongal; and we also celebrate Ginny's birthday.
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