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Pidiyum Kozhiyum is a traditional food item of St. Thomas Christians in Kerala, especially of Syrian Jacobites,Syro-Malabar Catholics and Knanaya Catholics. It is a kind of dish which can be both used in Breakfast or Dinner. Term 'Pidi' stands for a whitish semi-liquid dish with small boiled balls of finely powdered rice. Term 'Kozhi' in 'Pidiyum Kozhiyum' stands for chicken curry, which is prepared with traditional ingredients. This dish is often considered as a healthy food item due to its richness in fibers, proteins and carbohydrates.
Contents
Origin
Its origin dates back to early 4th century. It was the period when a group of Christians under the leadership of Thomas of Knanaya, Mar Sabor and Proth arrived at Muziris port.They were warmly welcomed by the then king of Venad and granted them with 72 rights. Thus, they become a prominent power in the society with both economic and social influence. This caused a lot of changes in their culture and lifestyle.'Pidiyum Kozhiyum' in those days were an expensive dish that was exclusively prepared in the houses of upper-class people. That was because its ingredients were too expensive. This dish is influenced by the dish of the native Hindus, the 'Kozhikkotta' or 'Panchara Unda' or 'Chakkara Unda'.
Religious Importance
'Pidiyum Kozhiyum is blessed and served as a part of a religious ceremony, 'Panthrandu Sleehanmaarude Nercha' or the ' Gift to Twelve Apostles', a traditional ceremony related to Syro Malabar Christians in which blessed food is served to twelve boy children under the age of 15. Those twelve boy children denotes the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ
Present Status
During the early years of independence, Christian community in Kerala underwent a lot of changes; both social and cultural.Christians here were largely influenced by the West in their way of dressing, language, food, marriage ceremonies etc. Many of the traditional values that were passed by the older generations were lost or neglected. 'Pidiyum Kozhiyum' was not an exception. It lost its elegance and become rarely served in Christian Functions. But later, as a part of cultural renovation, it is now widely used in many functions like marriages, religious ceremonies etc. It should be mentioned that the Knanaya Community here didn't neglect the traditional dish. They still serve this dish and consider it as a symbol of elegance, culture and tradition.