About Us / Bharatha Cultural Fellowship
ABOUT US
PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT WE DO
The people of Bharatha Community also known as the Paravars have been inhabiting the southern areas of eastern cost of India, since ancient times.
They lived and thrived within the relm of the Pandiyan kings whose ensignia was a slimmering fish. These kings claimed a significant dominion of the costal regions and the high seas to amass wealth. The Paravars maintained a dominant role in this endeavour and reached far and wide in their sturdy merchant vessels known as "Thoni", even until recent times.
Thus it's apt, that the Bharatha Cultural Fellowship to have chosen to adopt a pair of fish stylishly inter twined to proclaim the venturing spirit of our people across the seas. Depicted atop is a star the symbol of Mother Mary often who we invoked as "star of the sea" or in Latin "Maris Stella". The Bharathas have always demonstrated their filial love perhaps following in the foot-steps of St. John the Apostle, who was asked by her son Jesus to do so. No wonder then, that the Bharatha people for centuries have considered "Our Lady of Snows" as their beloved patron.
The motto " per aspera ad astra" scripted below urges us all to strive to reach the stars of success.
Our unique logo clearly links very graphically the historic past of our community with its cherished spiritual heritage.
Francis D' Almeida
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OUR HISTORY
The Bharathas with their long trading links with Ceylon, were among the first to establish themselves in business in the Pettah. Imported textiles to clothe the well-to-do and the middle class of urban Ceylon , was one of the main businesses the Bharathas went onto . Many of them established themselves on the main shopping thoroughfare in the Pettah, Main Street and its cross streets.
Today, the descendants of these traders , who now enjoy a separate identity in this island , but number less than 2000, have moved into modern businesses and the professions.
Their contribution to Ceylon was immense, particularly through the retail stores they established in small towns throughout the island, to provide the middle class and the wealthy, imported household goods from food and drink to furnishing and clothing.
Despite being staunch Roman Catholics, the Bharathas still follow several of the ancient Hindu traditions, adapting them to their present rituals.
The first Bharatha Conference was held in Tuticorin in December 1915. In January 1938, the 9th Bharatha Conference Conference was held in Colombo , under the presidency of Mr A.L.J. Croos Dabrera . It was at this conference that the name Parava was changed to Bharatha. I well remember this incident. Mr J.P.A. De Mel, a friend of my father's. wrote a welcome poem to the Indian delegates , and he chose me to deliver this poem on Galle Face green before a crowd of 3,000. The illuminated grounds of St Benedict's College was the venue on the first day. A publication entitled "Milestones in Bharatha Progress" was made available to the delegates on that day.
In 1937, due to the initiative of Mr I.X.Pereira, a Rest Home was constructed in Tuticorin , for the benefit of Paravas who came from Ceylon or the outlying villages. It is known today as the Bharatha Home.
J.L.Miranda of Manapad was the first Bharatha Jesuit priest. The miraculous statue of Our Lady of Snows was sent by the Augustinian nuns of Manila to Tuticorin by ship in 1555, at the desire of St Francis Xavier who happened to visit Manila . From then, Our Lady of Snows has become the protectress of the sea voyage of the Paravas. During the nine days of the novena for the Feast, in August every year, flocks of Christians and Hindus visit the shrine. On the last day, the crowd usually numbers over 75,000.Every year, an exhibition is held during this feast and the statue of Our Lady of Snows is carried in procesion through the streets of Tuticorin.Therese Motha
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