News

Report by Fr. Norbert Herman SVD

Udaipur, a very beautiful and charming city was founded in 1570 by Udaisingh. It is naturally gifted for its beautiful Aravali Mountains, lakes and Palaces. Christianity in Udaipur, Mewar, Malwa and Nimar region came from Mhow (Madhya Pradesh) through the arrival of French Capuchin Priests Rev. Fr. Jean and Fr. Pious who walked all the way from Mhow. First Christian missionary to settle down in town was Dr. Shepherd a Scottish Presbyterian. He came in 1877 because of his medical skill and personal qualities he found favour with the Royal People.

As for as Catholics are concerned, the mission work in the area which constitute the diocese of Udaipur began towards the end of the 19th century. It was the French Capuchins who were entrusted with evangelization of a large part of the central provinces and Rajputana, as it was known then. Fr. Charles started mission work in Thandla in 1896. He and Fr. Bernard Valiant were pioneering missionaries who worked hard and missions increased in number. Later Ajmer diocese was raised and Bishop Dr. Leo D’Mello was fist Indian Bishop. Fr. Fortunaus caumont was appointed as Prefect Apostolic. Ajmer was further bifurcated on December 3, 1985, Rev. Bishop Joseph Pathalil who worked in the tribal belt in Dungarpur for more than two decades was ordained Bishop. Rev. Devprasad Ganawa SVD was bought to Udaipur Diocese as when Bisho Joseph Pathalil retired.

French Capuchin and later Divine Word Missionaries who were entrusted with this mission area used Bhajan Mandalis to tell the stories of Jesus in tribal languages and they trained masters to compose song and teach people hymns to people of those areas.

They wanted people of the land should sing and worship in their own culture and social and spiritual realm in Bhili, Malvi, Nimadi, Wagdi etc. Master Gabriel Damor, Fr. Vincent, Bishop Joseph Pathalil, Fr. Thomas Vallappallil SVD, Fr. Thomas Peringalloor SVD have made great contribution to spread Jesus’ life and message.

Rev. Bishop Basil Bhuria SVD of Jhabua and Bishop Devprasad Ganawa SVD of Udaipur have taken great interest in recording these songs in a hymnal book about 360 (hymns) all the songs compiled in “Bhajo Re’, now re-edited and published by Diocese of Udaipur titled “Aao Re”. Around 60 hymns are recorded already under the direction of Fr. Norbert Herman SVD, Director of Maitri Sadan at Maitri Studio.

Various groups from Jhabua, Thandla, Kushalgarh have come to sing and the hymns will be useful for all Christians in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat among tribal groups.
Rev. Bishop Devprasad Ganawa SVD has taken keen interest in selecting proper, right and popular tunes in recording these hymns and Bhajans. He himself is singing few numbers in this huge project. Through the help of SIGNIS, we have managed to complete 60 hymns from “Aao Re” and 300 yet be recorded and to be given to various churches and denomination in Bhil speaking states.