Mangaluru, Jan 9, 2018: Well known Mumbai based historian on Mangalore and Goa History Dr Kranti Kiran Farias from Mumbai will be delivering a lecture on “History of the Goan and Mangalorean Christian community” at St Joseph’s Seminary in Jeppu, Mangaluru, on January 11 at 10.30 am. According to a press release, she will also arrange for DNA tests to be conducted free of charge by geneticists of CCMB Hyderabad led by Dr Niraj Rai. For more details, contact Dr Farias on 9972158068. All interested are welcome.
Recap: Till recent times the Konkani speaking communities of the West Coast have been resting on the fact that history confirms their Aryan descent in a Dravidian land and their disbursement from the now unseen River "Saraswati" a tributary of the River Sind when it became non-existent centuries ago. It was understood that the Aryan's of Sind probably carried Greek genes. In the last five hundred years these Konkani speakers known to be Brahman Hindus have evolved into Muslims and Catholics too as is seen. These descendants of ancient Goud saraswat Brahmins (GSBs) today are spread all over the world intermingling with multi ethnic and linguistic societies. An established and well known Historian from the Konkani Catholic Community based in Mumbai, is set to soon come out with a book that traces back the ethnicity of Konkani speakers to Jewish Biblical roots - historical research is ever an on-going proposal. A complex project is under way and one segment of it is to possibly trace the earlier origins of the Konkani speakers before their sojourn on the banks of river Saraswati. Vague theories are a plenty some of them may have a basis. But, to set a bonafide direction twenty first century Scientists and researchers have many new tools presently. The latest genetic and computational technologies to analyze patterns in DNA from participants around the South West Coastal region of India are one of them. In it’s May 2014 issue, monthly English magazine "Mangalore Today" brought out a detailed story in this regard.
Dr.KRANTI K FARIAS and HER WORK: Dr. Kranti K. Farias is a former President of The Church History Association of India. Her doctoral work, entitled “The Christian Impact in South Kanara” was published in 1999; it is a work worth a read by all interested in the general 'History of South Kanara. She has published several articles and papers on Indian Nationalism, Indian Christians and Indian Jewish communities in India, Israel and Canada. It may be noted she is the daughter of Cyprian and Alice Alvares who resided in Bombay (Mumbai) and were active in Indian freedom struggle (I believe that is the reason she has the name ’Kranti’ meaning ;revolution;). Responding to the call of Civil disobedience movement 1942 - the Quit India movement’ against British rule, the Alvares couple were detained in jails on several occasions, like many freedom fighters, their lives have been worthwhile. Dr. Kranti ’s current area of research is the history of the Jewish communities in India and the Diaspora with special focus on the B’nei Menashe of North East India (Manipur & Mizoram States) and the Bene Ephraim (Telugu Jews of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh State, South India). She was Principal of St. Aloysius Gonzaga High School and Modern Indian School in Mumbai. She lectured at the St. Xavier’s College and R. D. National College in History and Political Science and was also a Lecturer-Teacher Educator at the Rizvi College of Education, all in Mumbai. She is working on a book on cultural comparison of the Indian Jewish and Indian Christian Communities. This will be an interesting exposé of two Semitic communities living in harmony in India, knowledgeable about their roots and proud of their heritage. The book is awaited with great expectations.
Comments on this Article | |
Sudhir Satyavratha, Bangalore | Wed, December-23-2020, 10:28 |
Dr. Kranthi, do you have any details or records of the Satyavrata families who lived in Jeppu during the pre Independence period and were part of Kranthi / Vishranthi Church, Mangalore? If yes, kindly email me the details. Thanks Regards, Sudhir 9611577042 |