Khasi, Mizo or Kuki churches in the heart of the city? Do not be surprised if you hear the soulful choirs from the churches of the North-East in Kolkata during Christmas. For, these come alive in the city when people of various ethnic communities flock there, dressed in their traditional best.
Various north-eastern communities throng several churches in different corners of the city. Assuring themselves that Kolkata is a home away from home, these ethnic groups have adopted certain churches in the city as their own.
Kalinga Baptist Church on Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road serves as a place of worship for Kukis, while Mizos have St Andrew's Church to themselves and Khasis call the Wesleyan Church on Sudder Street their own.
"Thanks to these churches. Or else, we would have felt really homesick during Christmas. Even though the celebrations are no match for that back home, we try our best to recreate the kind of revelry seen in the hills," said Mary Kipgen, a BPO executive.
The Khasis, in fact, have already celebrated the advent of Christmas last week with a choir flown down from Shillong. On the day of Christmas, they will have the Khasi Jaintia Christian Fellowship (KJCF) service.
"The advent of Christmas was a big success with people spilling out of the church hall. Many have left home or are leaving in a day or two. Those who have not been able to travel will be gathering for the service on December 25," said Paul Lyngdoh, vice-president of KJCF in Kolkata.
A number of functions has been lined up at these churches and also at their respective government houses for the Yuletide celebrations. These include community gatherings, song and dance festivals in colourful traditional costumes and community feasts where local delicacies are served. Mizoram House, the Mizo government's house in Mandeville Gardens, has already started pre-Christmas celebrations.
On Sundays, these churches assume a dual role. Apart from sermons, they serve as meeting grounds for the communities and a place where they can share and care. And, perhaps these are the only churches where Catholics and Protestants rub shoulders in the same hall. Sermons and services are conducted in their respective dialects. Occasionally, one can also hear the traditional drums accompanying the hymns. When pastors are not available, community elders or Bible students double in that role.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Kolkata_/N-E_groups_flock_to_city_churches_for_Christmas/articleshow/3868018.cms
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Various north-eastern communities throng several churches in different corners of the city. Assuring themselves that Kolkata is a home away from home, these ethnic groups have adopted certain churches in the city as their own.
Kalinga Baptist Church on Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road serves as a place of worship for Kukis, while Mizos have St Andrew's Church to themselves and Khasis call the Wesleyan Church on Sudder Street their own.
"Thanks to these churches. Or else, we would have felt really homesick during Christmas. Even though the celebrations are no match for that back home, we try our best to recreate the kind of revelry seen in the hills," said Mary Kipgen, a BPO executive.
The Khasis, in fact, have already celebrated the advent of Christmas last week with a choir flown down from Shillong. On the day of Christmas, they will have the Khasi Jaintia Christian Fellowship (KJCF) service.
"The advent of Christmas was a big success with people spilling out of the church hall. Many have left home or are leaving in a day or two. Those who have not been able to travel will be gathering for the service on December 25," said Paul Lyngdoh, vice-president of KJCF in Kolkata.
A number of functions has been lined up at these churches and also at their respective government houses for the Yuletide celebrations. These include community gatherings, song and dance festivals in colourful traditional costumes and community feasts where local delicacies are served. Mizoram House, the Mizo government's house in Mandeville Gardens, has already started pre-Christmas celebrations.
On Sundays, these churches assume a dual role. Apart from sermons, they serve as meeting grounds for the communities and a place where they can share and care. And, perhaps these are the only churches where Catholics and Protestants rub shoulders in the same hall. Sermons and services are conducted in their respective dialects. Occasionally, one can also hear the traditional drums accompanying the hymns. When pastors are not available, community elders or Bible students double in that role.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Kolkata_/N-E_groups_flock_to_city_churches_for_Christmas/articleshow/3868018.cms
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