Architectural Transformation of Syrian Christian Churches in Kerala Since the Inception of Portuguese to India : An Insight to St Mary’s Forane Church Kanjoor

Abstract

The Portuguese were the first colonists to arrive in Kerala in 1498 and they were surprised to find a well thriving Christian community in the Malabar Coast. The Portuguese being Catholics under the Pope tried every possible means to Latinize the Syrian Christians. This they did by forcefully converting the Syrian Christians to Catholics. They introduced Catholic rituals, altered the Syrian churches, and introduced Portuguese elements in the churches. This led to the formation of a hybrid architecture for the Syrian churches of Kerala. Kanjoor is one such church in Kerala which had some Portuguese influence in it. There are many artefacts found in Kanjoor church which was once brought from Portugal which includes antique round globe lamps, lampshades, bronze painting of flowers, and altar back-drop. The Western influence in the churches in Kerala can be seen only with the arrival of Portuguese. Kanjoor still has a hybrid culture and it’s a real treasure for the present and the future generations. Most of the evidence found in the church truly brings back a long-forgotten history and tradition of Kanjoor. The grand elephant's entrance door, single stoned Baptism font, the pulpit, open air granite stone, relief works in the vault over the altar and much more evidence in the church proves the significance and historical value of the church. As a whole this paper is a research on the architecture and the relevance of the cultural heritage of Kanjoor church since the arrival of Portuguese to India.