THEVARUPARAMPIL FAMILY – A GLIMPSE TO THE HISTORY
Jose George Kunnureparampil
Theravuparampil, Kuruppanthara
Preface
The Thevaruparampil family is one of the most ancient Christian families in Kerala, tracing back its history to the origin of Christianity in India in first century A.D. In ancient days documentation of family history was not in vogue. We have to rely upon the available information carried forward through generations orally. There are some missing links here and there. When we study the history of ancient Kerala, we can find some evidences to the existence of our family in those days. It is possible that some other sagas of Sankarapuri global family could supplement more information. We invite all to contribute to make our family history more comprehensive.
Origin of the family
It is believed that St. Thomas, the beloved disciple of Jesus Christ came to India in AD 59. He landed in Kerala and camped at Palayoor, which was a famous seaport those days. Apart from the local Hindu communities, many Jews who came to Kerala for trading formed the inhabitants. He preached the teachings of our Savior, Jesus. Many were attracted the Christian charisma, its gospel of love. The omnipotent Hindu priests got alarmed of the overwhelming enthusiasm of ordinary Hindu community and decided to annihilate St. Thomas by challenging him to perform miracles in the name of his God. One day when the priests were performing poojas by chanting mantras and throwing up water as a ritual in the temple pond, he happened to pass by. They, in a very aggressive mood, challenged St. Thomas to do a miracle to prove the power of his God or to face capital punishment. He closed his eyes, prayed to the God almighty, stepped into the pond without any hesitation, and threw up water by cupping his palms. Water did not fall down, but stayed suspended in mid air. He then asked his challengers to witness and give testimony to the power of his God. Those who witnessed were shocked and became speechless. Many accepted baptism from him there itself and became Christians. But a few of them called it Black Magic and decided to get away from the place. They cursed the place and fled. It is known as “Shabakkad” later on as “Chavakkad´meaning the cursed forest.
The most prominent Brahmin families embraced Christianity were KALLI, KALIKAVU, PAKALOMATTAM and SANKARAPURI. Out of these Pakalomattam and Sankarapuri were given special status by St. Thomas and were ordained priests.
The Great Migration to South
Our forefathers migrated from Palayoor to Ettumanoor, via Angamali and Kaduthuruthi. The reason for this migration is not known but the animosity of the local Hindu rulers is believed to be the main cause. When they came to Ettumanoor where the famous Shiva temple is located, the Devaswom authorities did not allow them to settle in the vicinity and send them away towards Kuravilangad. They came to the southern boundary of Kuravilangad. The place was dense forest and was believed to have been haunted by witches and devils and people scared to go there even in daytime. The migrants from Palayoor settled there without any fears. The place subsequently was known as KALIKAVU, taking its name from the family which settled there. The land records available with the revenue department of the Government prove that lands at survey Nos 460/5, 460/6, 519/8 etc where held by the above named families.
There was no church to offer the prayers nor a cemetery to bury the dead. People gathered in any of the house to worship and used their own premises to bury the dead ones. They felt the need to have a central place to pray together and a common cemetery. They constructed a Chapel in Kalikavu and a cemetery nearby. There still exist 5 graves near the Kalikavu grotto. It is believed to be the family tombs of 5 eminent members of these families. Today the cemetery is in possession of Clarist Bhavan Seminary.
Kuravilangad Church
The chapel at Kalikavu became too small a place to contain the members of the Christian families in the locality. The 4 families were joined by Kadappoor family and constructed a larger church at Kuravilangad. The Kalli and Pakalomattom families settled on the northern side of the church and Sankarapuri, Kalikavu and Kadapoor families stayed on the southern side. Pakalomattam family got the house name Vadakkedathu meaning Northern side and Sankarapuri family were called by the house name Thekkedathu, meaning southern side. Lot many priests were ordained from these families over the generations.
The Saga of Sankarapuri Family
The size of the family grew bigger and bigger by the passage of time and many descendants migrated to different places in search of more land for cultivation and to expand the trading, Some offshoots have settled in Edathuva, Chengannoor, Puthenkavu, Thiruvalla, Omallur, Kudamaloor, and Athirampuzha.
Aruvithura
It was a center place of trading in 9th century. The place was connected to the famous ports of Kochi and Alappuzha by Meenachil River and Vembanattu Lake. On the other side of Poonjar dynasty was situated the Tamil Kingdom. The Kingdom of Poonjar prospered by trading but thugs from Tamil states started ransacking and looting people of Aruvithura. It is believed that around 900 A.D., the rulers of Poonjar invited some members of Sankarapuri family to come and settle in Aruvithura, to safeguard the Kingdom and to continue the trading with Kochi & Alappuzha by water transportation using KETTUVALLAMS. The Poonjar Kovilakam had given land free of cost and taxes for their settlement and to build the famous St.George Church. The members of the Sankarapuri family settled in Aruvithura were known as Alakkal Family.
By AD 1100 a branch of Alakkal family acquired lands in Nilakkal, which was dense forest those days, they traded with Tamil Kingdoms and was the Chieftains of the rulers. One of the family members was given the title of Caputiniar (Captain). But the climate there was formidable; the attack from wild animals and Tamil pirates could not be contained due to the less number of people available. They abandoned the settlement and came back to Aruvithura and later on to Pala & Kanjirappally around AD 1450.
Vallichira
Another branch of the Aruvithura Alakkal Family moved to Vallichira near Pala and settled there with family name Edattu Vattaparambil. Those days a branch of the Vadkumkoor dynasty ruled the Ramapuram Natturajyam, keeping Vellilappally as their capital. They were known as Eathil Thamburakanmar ( Members of Royal Family of Edathil). The rulers used to go to Ettumanoor Temple via Vallichira. Whenever they passed through Vallichira, they used to stay and rest in Edattu Vattaparambil House, being a very rich family.
Ramapuram (Vellilappally)
Impressed by the trustworthiness, dedication and valour of the Edattu Vattaparambil family members, the rulers of Ramapuram Kingdom, the Edathil Thamburakkanmar, invited the family to come and settle in their Capital Vellilappally, around AD 1300. The family head accepted this and sent a branch to Vellilappally. The rulers allotted sufficient land free of taxes at Thayyil Thundathil. The family was known by the name Thayyil Thundathil and was favourite of the Royal family and enjoyed special status. Though the practice of untouchability was in vogue, Christians were exempted from it. The oil used for pooja and offerings at temples was believed to become pure and holy when touched by a Nazrani.
Cholappilly
The Vdakkumkoor Rajavamsom (Dynasty) was very much impressed the overwhelming capabilities of Thayyil Thundathil family and the service they gave to Edathil Thamburakkanmar in ruling the Ramapuram Kingdom. Around AD 1340, the Vadakkumkoor Raja invited a branch of the Thayyil Thundathil family to Cholappilly, his capital to get settled near the Palace. The head of the family was given the status of a Minister. This branch was subsequently known as CHOLAPPILLY FAMILY. As long as the Vadakkumkoor Dynasty was the rulers, the elder of Cholappilly family was having the power and title of a Minister. They were looking after the Revenue and Security of the Kingdom and was all powerful.
The Naduvazhis (local rulers) of Desoms (Revenue Divisions) like Manjoor, Pallam and Vaikom which were under the rule of Vadkkumkoor Kovilakam took branches from the Cholappilly family to their Desoms for helping them to govern the places. The families were given land free of cost with previlege of not paying land revenue and also special status.
The Branch of Cholappilly family settled at Pallam came to be known as Poovathumoottil and the Branch at Manjoor was called THEVARUPARAMPIL. There were other branches also around Ramapuram namely, Vichattu, Anapara, Eerimattom etc.
Thevaruparampil Kdumbayogam
The Thevaruparampil Kudumbayogam was established in the year 1953 at Kuruppanthara, Manjoor. The family meet is conducted on the first Sunday of each month at the residence of any one of the family members. The Kudumbayogam has got its own community hall at Manvettam and the Annivesary meetings are held there.
Member Families of Sankarapuri Global Family
· Thevaruparampil Kudumbayogam, Kuruppanthara
· Kannamthara Kudumbayogam, Kuravilangad
· Naduvilekkuttu Kudumbayogam, Kuravilangad
· Narivelil Kudumbayogam, Kuravilangad
· Pattarumadathil Kudumbayogam, Kuravilangad
· Thekkedathu Kudumbayogam, Kuravilangad
· Sankarapuri Kudumbayogam, Vayala
· Sankarapuri Kudumbayogam, Koodalloor
· Sankarapuri Thekkedathu Kudumbayogam, Puthenkavu
· Kathalikkattil Kudumbayogam, Pala
· Cholappilly Kudumbayogam, Ramapuram
· Thekkedathu Kudumbayogam, Edathua
· Thekkedathu Kudumbayogam, Kudamaloor
· Panikaridam Kudumbayogam, Arpookara
· Kalayil Kudumbayogam, Thumbamon
· Sankaramangalam Kudumbayogam, Eraviperoor
· Sankoorikkal Kudumbayogam, Njarakkal
· Nambuseril Kudumbayogam, Kalathoor
· Chettiyamkunnel Kudumbayogam, Kanjirathanam
· Vadakkummuri Kudumbayogam Champakulam
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