User:Joel jacob chakkittayil

Thekkattil Chakkittayil Family Melpadom
Thekkattil Chakkittayil Family Is An Ancient Family In Kerala... In A. D. 52, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ St. Thomas landed in a place called Kodungallur and many Brahmin families were believed to have become followers of Christianity. These converted Christians were excommunicated by the other Brahmins and they migrated to other places like Parur, Angamali, Kaduthuruthy, Kuravilangad, Ettumanoor etc. They and their later generations though 7 Christians, retained their Hindu customs and traditions and absorbed themselves in the Hindú culture of our country, at the same time maintained secularism.

Later, Local Rajas, Lords and landlords whom had to yield themselves to the foreign powers like the Dutch, the Portughese and the British, fought among themselves, Anarchy followed and Muslim religion also began to take root in India.

During the warfare of Tippu Sultan between A. D. 1780 and 1800, several families from many places of North Travancore migrated to the south in order to save their lives. In these days, some families from around Kuravilangad settled down in the coastal regions of river Pumpa near Chengannur. Those who settled down near river Pumpa came to be called as Thekkattil family and those in Vanmazhi in the southern coast came to be known as Kaduvettur family, The fact that Thekkattil family, has been referred to in the family history of Vanchithra Thevar Thundi which is a Sub-branch of Kaduvettur family is a sufficient historical record.

We have come to know by word of mouth from our ancestors that there was a mother and two sons in the family which came from Kuravilangad and settled down in Umayattukara. The sons were named Kunjacko and Kunjeriah. These young brothers were faithfull and healthy aerobats. They had exhibited their skill in adventurous arts like 'Adithadea', sword fight etc. In those days Elayidathu Raja, authority of Elayidath Swaroopem was attracted by the skill of these youth of the Thekkattil family and he used to encourage them in their arts by giving them some prizes. Not long after the Raja appointed them as body guards. Once as the Raja was riding in his sedan chair a wild buffelo rushed out from the near forest quite unexpectedly. Suddenly Kunjacko, one of his bodyguards rose to the occasion and saved the Raja's life by killing the wild beast. The Raja who was pleased gave vast fields of Chempoli Padaram as taxfree to the Thekkattil family.

In those days of fights and rebellions among local Rajas, one day Kunjeriah was shot dead by a fatal arrow of the enemy. Hearing the death of her son, the agonized mother rushed to the palace crying and returned the documents of the tax fiée land to the king. Then she went back to kuravilanged and remained there with her relations till her death. 1 his news has been passed on to Subsequent genaration by our fathers- Later we have seen in written records kept by our fathers that weapons like, spear, 'Vel' and shield etc; have been found in the barns of Thekkattil house. It has been found in the records that Thekkattil family had received 24 para field called "Kannala which was under the landlord of vanchipuzha Madam due to the fighting skill of a forefather. Later we lost its possesion we can doubtlessly say that our forefathers were able to lead victorious liveb with unity and sincerity like brothers even among Hindusand they did not give up the Christian principles and values. There are records to show that a father by name Edasseri Thundiyil Kurian used to go every year with offerings from Umayattukara to Kuravilngad for the Church festival and it was stopped with his death. Thekkattil Mathunny was born as the son of the respected Father Kunjacko referred to in the first chapter. He was brought up in discipline and was given moderate education of that time and the knowledge of the skilled arts. When he grew up to be a young man he was wise and efficient. Hence he was chosen as one of the stewards and a faithfull advisor to the king. In those days the one Christian family of Thekkattil was include among the 74 Nair families of Umayattukara, The annual festival and 'Parayidil' of Azhaikavu temple of Umayattukara was one of the important functions- When the priests come with the statue of Bhagavathi to Nair families to accept their offerings, they used to go to Thekkattil family also to accept 'Nirapara' Nirachangazhi' and niranazhf from them. It is also said that some of our fathers used to take part in the temple activities like Velakali, acrobatics sword fight etc- Thekkattil Mathuntiy was given rights and powers as equal to those given to noble Hindu families. It is to be specially mentioned that he was able to maintain the prestige and status of the family till his death. We have heard from (he fathers of the later generation that, though detailed information is lacking regarding the wife of Thekkattil Mathunny, she belonged to a noble Christian family of north Travancore and that Mathunny had married even before the death of his father Kunjacko and the Kunjacko Couples had the fortune to live happily with Mathunny's three sons. In the course of time changes took place in the old traditions and customs resulted in giving up certain privileges our forefathers enjoyed.

As the dynasty of Elayidathu Raja declined, anarchy prevailed in the land and 'Might is right' became the order of the day- Even then respected father Mathunny, his wife and sons stood firm in the Christian tradition without abandoning values like truth, Justice and charity- In these days Thekkattil was the only Christian family in a place where there were only Hindus- The firm faith and life of testimoney of our forefathers became a source of attraction to many people around. As a result several Christian families were formed in places like Othara, Nakkada, Umayattukara, Pandanad etc- and the fathers lived in friendly relationship with all people without difference of cast or religion. We can be proud of our forefathers in developing the Christian church in this area. We can also be proud that our fathers were able to serve as pastors of Churches and the first Vicar of Jacobite and Marthoma Parishes like Umayattukara and Kizhakkan Muthur. Thekkattii Mathunny had three sons namely Chacko Mathunny, Koruth Mathunny and Kochumathen. The parents took special care to bring them up in Christian tradition and give the necessary education- As they grew up they became great farmers and were able to maintain the prestige through out. Honourable Mathunny and his wife passed away in the Lord in their oldest age Thondiath branch, Ambalathara branch, Thekkattil branch, Edasserithundi branch, Velathanuzhathil Sub Branch, Mulampallil Sub branch, Kariyamvelil Sub branch, Pallathu Sub branch, Thazhathethi! sub branch Chakkittayil branch are the present generations of the Thekkattil Mathunny. www.thekkattil.net Thekkattil Family Tree.-- http://www.geni.com/share?t=6000000022448532462