Family History

“Remember the days of old consider the years of many generations (Ask your father and the aged men; they will tell you all about it)” – Deauteronomy ch 32, Verse 7

When we speak of the ‘Koipuam Mattackal Family’ we refer to the group comprising the descendants of Idiculla Kunjamman Tharakan who ventured out of Kuravilangad around 1660 and moved southwards to Chengannur and then on to Koipuram and settled down at Mattackal, Koipuram, the household now known as ‘ Padinjare Mattackal’

 Idiculla Kunjamman Tharakan was not alone in his journey from Kurivalanged to Chengannur, he was accompained by three others, who also founded three illustrious families, All these four families settled down with their kith and kln on the Koipuram side of river Pampa. These families are Mattackal, Ezhumaly, Mullassery and Kavala.The heads of the four families were referred to as Mattackal Mappilla, Ezhumaly Mappilla, Mullassery Mappilla, and Kavala Mappilla. These four founders to the families are known as such based on the homesteads they finally occupied after arrival in Koipuram where they reared their families.

Why did Idiculla Kunjamman Tharakan move to Chengannur from Kuravilangad along with his compatriots? One can reply to this in any manner one likes, depending on one’s perception of the situation. Was it a movement prompted by the desire to settle down on more fertile land? Was it the flight of a fugitive from uncongnial surroundings to a more peacefyl and sequestered existence? Or were they subjected to religious persecution having embraced Christianity?

It is a historical fact that Christianity orignated in India with the advent of St. Thomas, one to the apostles of Christ, in Kerala in AD 52. Tradition has it that St. Thomas landed at Crangannore (now Kodungallur) After preaching gospel there, Thomas moved to Palayur (N. Parur) Palayur was one of the 64 villages set apart for the Kerala Brahmins (Nampoothiris) by legendary Parasurama. This village was the abode of Brahmins who were wellversed in Vedas, Puranas etc. they were learned and scholarly. It is believed that St. Thomas could draw these erudite Brahmins towards him through divine intervention testified by the miracles he performed, the sick the healed etc. He could also gain their confidence. In course of time many of these Brahmins accepted Christ as their Saviour and embraced christianity as their religion. Those embracing Christianity included 36 upper caste Hindu families like Kaliankal (Kalikav), Kalli, Sankarapuri, Pakalomattom, Kadappuru, Koikara, Mappur, Vaipally, Kottakkara, Kozhikkara, Kattupurom etc. Four families out of these viz Kaliankal, Kalli, Pakalomattom and Sankarapuru were identified as priestly ones. Tradation and folklore vouchsafe that ancestors of these four families were among those who originally embraced Christianity at Palayur. These four families had also occupted areas surrounding the Palayur church , one of the seven churches founded by St. Thomas. The Government records also specially identify the locations of their four “Illoms” (Nampoothiri households)

It would not be quite unrealistic to think that the ancestors of the above four families had to suffer on account of their conversion to Christianity. Consequently they moved out of Palayur. They came to Angamaly and moved furher down to Ettumanur later.In those days rights on the land were vested with the Maha Rajas, Rajas and the temple functionaries. The migrants who approached Ettumanur temple authorities requesting permission to stay on temple land were, it is believed, directed to an uninhabited forest area infested with wild animals and allegedly ferocious evil spirits. It was through that they would meet their end the forest and that the temple authorities would not have to confront them again with the request for a homestead being renewed. However the temple authorities were genuinely surprised to see them return hale and hearty next day. Apparently, their providential escape was construed as of a supernatural kind and therefore the handwork of an invisible hand. This instilled respect and love for these refugees in the minds of the local population. In these circumstances, the temple authorities allowed them to settle down in the Kuravilangad Village. These were the first Christians of Kuravilangad. It is believed that the four priestly families earlier mentioned came to Kuravilanged towards the end of the second century or the early part of third. The Kuravilanged Deva Matha Church is believed to have been built in the fourth century A.D.

It is from Kuravilanged that the four priesty families, earlier mentioned, moved to Chengannur around 1660. In those days Chengannur was under the suzerainty of the Vanjipuzha chieftain who was a very kind and generous soul. The four families, on approaching him for succour and help, the chieftain rendered them all the help and assistance required, apart from arranging for them to settle down in Koipuram in consultation with and on the advice and recommendation of Perumeth Asan, who ran a Kalari in Koipuram and was therefore referred to as such.

“Remember the days of log ago (Ask your father and the aged men; they will tell you all about it”) Deuteronomy. Chapt 32, Verse 7

This is part of a song Moses recited to the whole assembly of Israel. In this, one finds an answer to the question “Why write about the days of long agg and compile a history of Mattackal family?” No doubt compilling a history of Mattackal family involves costs in terms of money and time, It is true that the Kerala Christians have not been not been adept in recording the history of the families they belonged to. Therefore at this juncture, any effort compiling the history of a family has to place increasing reliance on oral tradition. This has to be supplemented, where ever possible, with inormation gleaned from other sources as well. The reluctance to record the history of the families may have stemmed from their lack of adequate leisure. Also printing was not popular in olden times, the same having gained universal accceptence only in the present century. In view of historical and other reasonsm

possibly the early Christians did not have a settled life as it is understood today. This state of

affairs was not very conducive to systematic recording of history or organising family gettogethers. Also they must have been, face to face with numerous problems of simple existence, as things were at that time. However, in recent times, there has been a resurgence of activity in this area and there have been many attempts at compiling family history through exchange of information in family get-togethers, reference to recorded history wherever available and tracing their family trees with the help of the knowledgeable few.

As noted above, the Holy Bible exhorts us nto remember the days of long ago. In remembering the days of long ago a reference to genealogy is unavoidable. Here also, one notices that the Bible has assigned very great importance to genealogy. The New Testament begins with the list of generations of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. The genealogy begins with Abraham and ends with Joseph, husban of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. When a family grows through the accretions of generations, the members of the family tend to know less and less about more and more. While this is understandable, there is nothing that stops one from recording for posterity the history of one’s family. It is in this background that a history of the Mattackal family is sought to be compiled and brought out.

The Mattackal family has at present a membership of about 500 households with about 2500 persons. While the majority belongs tothe 9th and 10th generations, there are a few belonging to the 12th generation also amongst us. They are the younger members of the family. The members of the family are spread out through the length and breadth of the five continents. THey enrich the social and cultural life of the community of the country they live in. A vast variety of talents and expertise in different fields is also shared by the members of the family. Many have excelled themselves in different walks of lif. We have amongst us Medical Doctors, Engineers, Officers of the Armed Forces, Professors, Civil servants, Advocates, Teachers, Nurses etal, The family has amongst its members a few Doctors of Philosophy (Ph.D). The family can also be proud of its contribution to the spiritual life of the community through services rendered by its members as priests, preachers, pastors, presbyters etal.

It is gratifying to record that members of The Mattackal family to whichever Christian denomination they may belong to, lead Christ- centred lives. THey believe in a Christ- centred fellowship raising their eyes to the High -Heavens for nourisment and sustenance. THey are peace-loving, the peace of God that passeth all understanding. One has to bear in mind that a Christian fellowship o a Christian family is certainly unlike other groupings. Families of believers are blessed (Psalm 128), they worship God together (1 Cor. 16), they live in unity (Gen 45:24), they preach and practice mutual forbearence (Gen. 50:17-21) and rejoice together beofre God (Deut. 14:26).If we judge our family on the basis of the five criteria laid down, howmany of us would satisfy them and justifiably claim membership of the family? Thius is a point to ponder over for all members of the family.

Let us recall to ourselves two Psalms (127 & 128). About the family it says “unless the Lord builds a home, the builder’s work is useless.Unless the God protects the city, the sentries do us no good….. Children are a gift from God….. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. THat man shall have the help he needs when arguing with his enemies” About family blessedness, it is mentioned that “ Blessing on all those who reverence and trust the LOrd-on all who obey Him! Their reward shall be prosperity and happiness” A contented wife at home and vigorous and healthy children around the dinner table as youg olive trees is God’s reward ton those who reverence and trust Him.

Idiculla Kunjamman Tharakan lived at Mattackal in Koipuram. He had two sons: Chacko who lived at Mattackal and Mathen who lived at Mayalil. Chacko was blessed with four children while Mathen had only one son. The five grandsons of Idiculla Kunjamman Tharakan are the founders of the five branches of the Mattackal Family. The following family tree illustrates the position.

Note; The numbers alongside names indicate the generation It is pertinent to mention here that those who constitute the membership of the family at present mostly belong to the ninth and subsequent generations. We are however lucky that a few belonging to the 8th generation and still fewer number of the 7th generation are also happily with us. We look forward to those in the 7th and 8th generations to guide and inspire us.

To enable us of the 7th and subsequent generations to trace our ancestry, we give below the names of our ancestors belonging to the 6th generation, branch-wise.

1. Kuttikkattu Branch

2. Thazhumpal Branch

• Mammen,Mariethu
• Iruppootty, Nadukkepurayil
• Varghese, Thazhumpal Karipurathu Malayil
• Chacko, Thazhumpal Kizhakkethil
• Varghese, Vadakkemuriyil
• Thommy, Thundathil
• Kurian, Thazhathethil
• Eapen, Melathethil
• Varghese, Nellimala Thundiyil
• Chacko, Thazhumpal Thundiyil

3. Thelasseri Branch

• Kurian, Mullikulangara, Mavelikara
• Ikka, Padinjare Pilavilakkandathil
• Eapen, Pilavilakkandathil

4. Mattackal Pulippilelil Branch

• Mathen, Pulippilelil
• Mathai, Mattackal Koipuram

5. Mayalil Branch

• Eashow, Mallappallil
• Kurian, Karippurathu THekkeputhenpurayil
• Cherian Mallappalli
• Koshy, Mallappallil, Koorthamala
• Cherian, Karivelithara
• Itty, Punnilethu
• Mathen, Planthottathil
• Idiculla, Planthottathil
• Thomas, Mayalil
• Mammen, Vadakkethu