Book Notes
Critical analysis required
Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia has recorded the history of the Athornan Mandal (AM) and Dadar Athornan Institute (DAI, erstwhile Dadar Boarding Madressa) (pictured) in two books published in 2019 by the AM. While the prices of the books have not been mentioned, the book on the DAI has ix + 213 pages while that on the AM has ix + 180 pages.
Painstakingly compiled from books of minutes, correspondence and other records, these two publications are meant to further the knowledge of students of the community’s ecclesiastical development over the last 100 years.
By the very nature of this exercise, the author’s version of the controversies which plagued these Bombay based institutes is obviously biased. It is more or less a faithful reproduction of the stance taken by these institutes against "those who maligned it.” Some of the details provided are trivia like which cook served the institute and which domestic help swept the floor.
Be as it may, this record is still valuable. Perhaps some day the author will analyze and dissect, with critical comments, the ambitious sub-headings of his books ("A glimpse into the priestly class of the 20th century” and "A hundred years of educating the priests.”)
With his formidable reputation as a balanced scholar and a wonderful personality, Karanjia is amply suited to perform this task.
Painstakingly compiled from books of minutes, correspondence and other records, these two publications are meant to further the knowledge of students of the community’s ecclesiastical development over the last 100 years.By the very nature of this exercise, the author’s version of the controversies which plagued these Bombay based institutes is obviously biased. It is more or less a faithful reproduction of the stance taken by these institutes against "those who maligned it.” Some of the details provided are trivia like which cook served the institute and which domestic help swept the floor.
Be as it may, this record is still valuable. Perhaps some day the author will analyze and dissect, with critical comments, the ambitious sub-headings of his books ("A glimpse into the priestly class of the 20th century” and "A hundred years of educating the priests.”)
With his formidable reputation as a balanced scholar and a wonderful personality, Karanjia is amply suited to perform this task.
B.D.
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