No doubt, the ongoing flow of messages by learned men in our web site on St. Bartholomew, the Apostle vis-à-vis a need for a fitting Monument to this holy man either at Barkur or Kallianpur Varado, deserve credence, specially under the given circumstances in India, wherein a very few people misguiding the majority of Hindus who never considered, other faithful with suspicion, instead well known for tolerance and believed in co-existence.

One thing inspires me at this moment is Christianity entered India much more earlier than the Islam or just 600 years after Buddhism / Jainism itself born.

Once again expect our good friends to have a glimpse at it and the various sources from where they are extracted. Further in due course reproduce the interesting article by Mr. Charles E.G. Lewis written for Milagres Tri-Centenary Souvenir, which may of any help to derive some logical conclusion.

Personally, I am not in favor of distorting History, to suit us, or my religion, but agree, the legends attributed to this Apostle must be given its due credit with research and studies. Confusing, twisting or misleading innocent and thereby arousing their passion or emotions is a dirty tool with ulterior motives to spoil the social fabric.

I can recollect, a statement made by Mr.G.S.Lewis, as a feed back to my above cited quotes – "the very presence of Catholics in Canara in large number, than at any other place in India, surely have some relationship to this legend". (It is better to read the full message and one more by Fr.Henry C.D’Souza in this context, in messages)

To substantiate the above, let me refer, Dr.P.Gururaja Bhat, who has written History of Tulunadu, wherein he gives five distinct features of Tuluva Culture:

Bhuta nritya or devil dance, Nagamandala or Dakke bali, Aliya Santana, Language of Tulu and Tatva vada propagated by Sri Madhwacharya, who founded Lord Krishna temple and eight monasteries at Udupi, in the 13^th Century.

The last feature the tatva-vada or Vaishnava siddantha the birthplace of dvaita philosophy, is believed to be influenced by Christian Philosophy, and if it is true, as proposed by some experts, then one can conclude Christianity was here much before the appearance of Portuguese in 16^th Century, which may be linked to St. Bartholomew?

Proof of earliest human habitation is found around 10000 years ago, it is said Kadambas of Banavasi invited Brahmins in 5^th Century to settle down in this region, as the earlier inhabitants or natives were Bhoota worshippers. As the Barkur was a maritime port, - fossil evidence can be found today - for centuries, the enterprising traders of the West, people belonging to early civilizations of Egypt, Rome, Greece and Babylonia or Arabia, must have visited the region by sea route time to time.

Facts about Barkur are available, in bits and pieces but surely no recorded, authenticated or proven version to take us, as back as 2000 years. Whatever generally accepted comes through inscriptions believed to be pre-Vijay nagara period, is also not crystal clear.

In other words, from First Century to 10th Century A.D. history of Canara not fool proof. Now for the first time excavations are taking place at Barkur, and so far, the results focusing on Vijaya Nagara and Alupa early years may not go back to early Christian era.

IS THERE ANYONE TO THROW LIGHT ON THIS:

We at barkur.com exhibiting feelings of few who shown curiosity and interest and they are personal opinions. It is high time some learned historian or clergymen to conduct a thorough investigation and research. It is in the interest of community at large, we invite economically sound one’s to contribute monetarily, if Host of this site propose a Fund to encourage anyone who come forward.

Surely this involves lot of work and patience, but society will be indebted and in a way is it a socio-religious work, someone or Institutions must venture, though it is late.

CONCLUSION:

With thanks to all those shared their feelings and knowledge here, I feel before attempting or mobilizing support to construct a Monument to this Apostle, it is prudent to collect facts and compile the same in a Book form. However, we ensure any focus on our Barkur of yesterday or today, will get due recognition and timely attention by the Host and his Team, in this site.