Friday, 28 February 2014

Cochin Jewish wedding in 1966, by Dr. Rahamim Melamed Cohen.


One day from the ten days long Wedding function of Juliet Hallegua and Late Mr. Joseph (Johnny) Hallegua, was recorded by Dr. Rahamim Melamed Cohen which was edited with background music of Hindi songs. see it here

 Johnny and Juliet Hallegua
                                                              Photo courtesy: Juliet Hallegua             

 In 2011 i showed this video to Johnny uncle and Juliet auntie they were so happy to see their own wedding video after years.

After 48 years with Dr. Rahamim's permission video was edited with help of my friends Sarath Kottikal and Lemons Churchill. Original Cochin Jewish wedding songs and traditional Kerala instrumental music were used to give life back to this video.



When the edited video was screened as a part of myexhibition elders from the community started singing the songs along with video, the person who operated the video paused the video en route, Sarah Cohen and others continued singing the song. The scene went so emotional for them... and it was really emotional...

Special thanks to Gad Hakimi and Thaha Ibrahim for your support 

4 comments:

  1. Dear Thoufeek, thank you very much for your efforts, i enjoyed watching the old video and the new! What an education to observe these videos.
    I will forward this page to my sefardi and mizrachi relatives to remind them of their own colourful past
    Dr Yehuda Kovesh S

    ReplyDelete
  2. A valuable contribution to the heritage of the Malabar Jews! Congratulations, Thoufeek!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello! I saw this video on youtube and have gone through your blog. This is all some great information. I am a Knanaya Catholic and I have read that the Knanaya and Cochin Jews share alot of traditions. The revered scholar Dr. P.M Jussay (a Cochin Jew himself) wrote an entire text about the similiarites in our culture. Is there anyway I can get a full copy of this video? Or come into contact with anyone who knows more about Cochin Jew weddings.

    When looking through this video the first song that is sung "Vazhvenna Vazhu" is also sung by Knanayas! Which is just amazing! It also looks like a Chandam Charthal (ceremonial shave and beautification of the groom) is happening at the end of the video, which we also do!

    Please if there is anyway you could contact me, please let me know. I am a History-Education major who is researching both these communities and their parallels.

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete