Prologue

The Cherunilam Family traces its origins to a small town called Kuravilangad, the historical place of Indian Christianity situated in Meenachil Thaluk, 22 km north of Kottayam, on the eastern side of M.C. Road in Kerala, the God’s Own Country.

The members of our branch of Cherunilam Family are the descendants of Ouseph Cheriathu (Kochu) and Eli Uzhunnalil Compothinkal of Ramapuram. Ouseph Cheriathu was the son of Karia Cheriathu and Kochu Theruthi of the Cherunilam family of Vellilappilly, Ramapuram near Pala.

Around the second century AD, the Shankarapuri family estranged after baptism, migrated from Palayoor to Ettumanoor and then to Kuravilangadu. Descendants of the Shankarapuri family, migrated to different places during the era, many as directed by respective local rulers. One such descendant, known as Aalakkal family from Aruvithura migrated further east to Vellichira and their family name was Edattu Vattaparambil. The Edattu Vattaparambil family was gifted tax-free land near his palace at Vellilappilly by the local ruler, Edathi Thampuran. Contrary to the practice of building houses in high rise dry and, they built a house in an open low lying small area at their bestowed land inVellilappilly and thus the family name Cherunilathu Puttenpurackal meaning ‘new house at small field’. The great great grandfather of Karia Cheriathu, was from the Edattu Vattaparambil family.

Various other branches of the Cherunilam Family in and around the Ramapuram area (Pala, Chakkampuzha, Vellilappilly, Marangad, Kuninji, etc.) migrated northwards to settle in places like Wynad, Kalpetta, Betheri, and south-west Karnataka. Some of the present generations have crossed the seas to reach the Middle East, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the United States of America.

Introduction

This is my try on the chronology of events and their places of occurrences. As you know, the conversion of local Hindus was central to the history of any Syrian Christian family and our family is no exception. I start with the migration of the Dravidians from north India to south India and then go on to explain the trade with the Middle East, which facilitated European missionaries to reach Kerala on the mission of the Holy Spirit.

Aryans and Dravidians

Around 4000 BC, the Dravidians who had settled in north India were driven south by the marauding Aryans of central Asia who invaded south, crossing the Vindhyas. The Dravidians who thus fled southward were proficient in agriculture. By 1000 BC, a lot of upper/ruling cast Hindu families from the north also migrated south and settled down.This is how the Chera Dynasty came to Kodungaloor and made Thiruvanjikulam their capital, eventually ruling over the Dravidians.

Trade with the Middle East

Even before 1000 BC, there were a lot of Jews in our area who used to conduct trade with Syria, Palestine and other Middle Eastern countries in commodities like pepper, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and sandal wood in return for gold, silver, copper, bronze, and perfumes. Later the Roman Empire’s founding of sea routes to India from Syria,Palestine etc. resulted in a flourishing trade between Europe and India.

The Malayalam Language

The principal language of the Dravidians was Tamil. Though Aryans spoke Sanskrit, their language was limited to religious rituals and ceremonies. In the course of cultural mingling and evolution, a new hybrid language came into existence due to contact linguistics, which was a mixture of Tamil and Sanskrit. By AD 1300 this language called Malayalam became a separate language. During early days, Malayalam had a round script, which later on adopted an elongated script, finally culminating in today’s mixture of both scripts.

Birth and spread of Christianity

As per teachings of The Holy See, Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem and taught the ways and means to salvation for three years in the region of Palestine. During his three year ministry, Jesus got together different Apostles who were instrumental in spreading the good news of Christianity. After Jesus’s resurrection and the day of the Pentecost, the Apostles of Christ received the Holy Spirit and with it all prevailing incredible knowledge, capability, and prowess; which equipped them to travel the world over and preach the Gospel.

Christ’s Ministry in India

One among Jesus’ twelve Apostles was St. Thomas who evangelized people to Christianity in Palestine, Mesopotamia, Persia, and Medina. During this time the area from Syria to Parthia was under Roman Rule and hence traveling within the Empire was relatively easy. St. Thomas is believed to have landed in Kodungaloor (Kranganoor) in a Merchant Boat in AD 52, staying with the Jewish community, preaching the Gospel and evangelizing the local people. The evangelisation of St. Thomas thus resulted in Christian communities evolving in places like Kodungaloor, Kollam, Niranam, Nillakal,Kokkamangalam, Kottakavu, and Palayoor. History recounts St. Thomas’ establishingseven churches in Kerala.

Conversion of our forefathers

During AD 59 in Palayoor, a sea port, there were lots of Jews who were professional traders. St. Thomas stayed with these Jews and evangelized a lot of local Hindus to Christianity. It is believed that St. Thomas performed many a miracle, which befuddled many Hindus who readily got converted to Christianity by accepting baptism while some other Hindu families cursed the place and left saying that they would prefer their next ablution at Vembanattu backwaters. Even today the place is known as Shapakadu or Chavakadu (the forest of curse). Annals of our Catholicism further recounts that Kalli, Kalikkavu, Pagalomattom, and Shankarapuri were prominent among the Hindu Brahmin families who received the baptism in Palayoor. The families of Sankarapuri and Pagalomattom was bestowed upon with special status by St. Thomas, enabling them to perform priestly routines.

Migrations of our forefathers from Palayoor to Ettumanoor

In the 2nd century AD, following issues with local Hindus, all the four families migrated from Palayoor via Angamali and Kaduthuruthi to Ettumanoor. The Devasom of Ettumanoor did not permit them to stay in their then settlement, eventually evicting them and relocating them to a place about five kilometers away, which was a forest dedicated to Goddess Kali. In those days such a place was believed to be haunted and people were normally scared to stay there. However, historical documentary evidence shows that the families who came from Palayoor continued staying there without any fear mainly because they were unaware of these superstitions. The house names, house numbers, and survey numbers are available with government records. Survey 460/5, 460/6 and 519/8 belonged to these families. During those days there was no place for worship or burial and so the families worshipped at home, as was the practice in the Roman House Churches of first century AD, and used their own property to bury their dead. There still exist five graves near the famous forest of Kali (Kalikkavu). It is believed that these are the graves of five important members of these families. This cemetery was just next to the Shakutirikal family and now is in the possession of Claratu Bhavan Seminary. Eventually, these four families established a chapel where they could offer their prayers.

The History of Kuravilangadu

Martha Mariam church of Kuravilangadu is the ancestral church of Christian communities both inside and outside Kerala State. Martha Mariam church belongs to the diocese of Pala.

Traditional beliefs, some legendary factors, and historical associations contribute to the actual history of the church. It is evident from the history of Christianity in Kerala that four Christian families mentioned earlier - viz. Palli (Kalli), Kaliyakal (kalikkavu), Shankarapuri and Pakalomattam from Palayoor moved to Ettumanoor and further on to Kalikkavu near Kuravilangadu at the beginning of the second century. This settlement was the first established Christian community in India.

An apparition of Our Lady, it is believed, occurred to a few children in Kuravilangadu who were tending their flock in the bushes. Our Lady asked them to build a church at the place from where a miraculous perpetual spring sprouted, a spring that exists even today. The children reported this matter to their parents and a church was built there in AD 332.It is only from then on that we have a detailed account of our genealogy.

The Kuravilangadu Church

It is believed that the above mentioned four families and the Kadapoor family from Palayoor, a late migrant, together with established the Kuravilangadu church. The Kalli and the Pagalomattom families stayed on the northern side of the church and the Shankarapuri, Kalikkavu and the Kadapoor families stayed on the southern side of the church. So it turned out that the Shankarapuri family got the house name Thekkedethu meaning southern side, and the Pagalomattom family got the house name Vadakkedethu meaning the northern side. There were a lot of priests and nuns from these families for many generations to come.

Shankarapuri family in different places

From the Shankarapuri family, at different times, many descendants migrated to different places. The descendants of the Shankarapuri family are in places like Kudamaloor, Eduthwa, Chenganoor, Puthankavu, Athirampuzha, Thiruvalla, and Omalloor. They are numerous and spread out widely over the globe.

To Arivuthura

In AD 900, a few of the members of the Shankarapuri family settled down in Arivuthura. During that time Arivuthura was a merchant hub trading with many places in the Tamil kingdom. This was facilitated by the pure convenience of using kettuvallams (a kind of covered boats) for transporting goods through river Meenachil, which connects Aruvithura to Vembanattu backwaters. In Arivuthura the descendants of the Shankarapuri family were known as Aalakkal family. By AD 1100 a branch of the Aalakkal family acquired property at Nillakal and used to trade with merchants from Tamil kingdoms further beyond. One of them was very famous and even received the title Captain(Caputiniar). Later on, issues like Tamil militancy, wild animal scare and fatal diseases caused them to shift their business once again back to Arivuthura, Pala and Kanjirapally. It is believed that a statue of Mother Mary was brought to Kanjirapally and another statue of St. George to Arivuthura from Nillakal around AD 1450.

Vellichira

Later on from Arivuthura, a branch of the Aalakkal family settled in Vellichira near Pala and their family name was Edattu Vattaparambil. During the same period, one of the Vadakumkoor royal family members who had sovereignty over the Ramapuram area was keeping Vellilapilly as the center of his government. They were known as Edathi Thamburakanmar (Royal Family Members of Edathi). The members of this royal family always used to take rest in the Edattu Vattaparambil house on their way to Etumanoor temple via Vellichira.

Vellialpilly

Highly appreciative of Edattu Vattaparambil family’s patriotism, dedication, trustworthiness, and prowess, the Edathi Thamburan invited one member of the family to Vellilapilly around AD 1300. This family was bestowed upon with tax-free land near the palace in a locality called Thayil Thoondathil. Though untouchability was prevailing, it was also secretly believed that when a Christian touches, one becomes pure. Edattu Vattaparambil family was always the favorites of Edathi Thamburan and had great influence among the ruling elite.

What is in here?

“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything”. Michael J Fox For a great many geographically dispersed members of the Cherunilam Family and others who are connected to the Cherunilam Family, I have put together the following:

• A concise genealogy of the Cherunilathu Putthenpurackal Ouseph Cheriathu (Kochu) branch of the Cherunilam Family;
• A pictorial journey through my nostalgic memories;
• Culinary delights from my wife’s kitchen;
• ‘Without malice to anyone...’- my thoughts on current affairs and it’s social impacts as I see it, where you may respond with yours:
• Professional and personal contact page.

ROOTS AND WINGS

My father PJ Augustine Cherunilam (Chachan for me and my family; Kunju for kith and kin; Augustine Sir for those in Ramapuram; Augustine Master for those in Marathakkara, Ollur, Thrissur; and Kunnathra Master for those in Pazhayannur, Alathur, Wadakkumcherry) is the son of Ouseph Cheriathu (Kochu) and Eli Uzhunnalil Compothinkal and grandson of Karia Cheriathu and Kochu Theruthi of the Cherunilam family of Vellilappilly, Ramapuram near Pala.

Born on May 19, 1925, the youngest of nine children, five boys of which one died very young and four girls, Kunju; though of pure agricultural background, had his school level education at St. John’s Primary School, Vellilappilly and St. Augustine’s English High School, Ramapuram. His was the high school’s first batch of students. With English School Leaving Certificate (ESLC) he joined for intermediate studies at St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli. Since he could not continue there due to climatic incompatibility, he shifted over to St. Thomas College, Trissur to completed his intermediate studies. He then graduated (BA) in economics from St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam. Immediately on graduating, he was offered a teaching job at St. Augustine’s English School, Ramapuaram, which he accepted at a salary of Rs. 49 per mensem. The year was 1946. He was transferred to St. Thomas English High School, Thodanganad, Karimkunnam near Thodupuza in 1947 where he continued for about ten years while completing his second bachelor's in training (BT) from St. Thomas training college, Pala. Meanwhile, he got married to my mother Alikutty Kurian of Padinjarepeedikayil, Bharananganam, Pala on 28 th August 1952. On 4 th January 1957, I, his only child was born. He was again reverted to his original school of joining and his teaching career there went on and off, accommodating his sporadic sojourn doing what he cherished most - agriculture and fine arts till his retirement in 1980.

Though a much revered and loved teacher, he was also versatile in other skills, which sometimes took the front stage over teaching. An ardent lover of fine arts, Chachan loved music and theatre. He was a good singer and a keen follower of Hindi movies. He also used to write and direct songs. He has also written, directed and acted in armature stage dramas. He was close to people like Karimkunnam Chandran, Augustine Joseph (father of KJ Yesudas), Pappukutty Bhagavathar, etc. His brother in law, Joseph Padinjarepeedikayil was a Gana Bhooshanam. He also served a tenure as the president of Ramapuram Service Cooperative Bank.

Agriculture was an inherent passion as all his siblings were earnestly into it as was the practice in those days. His eldest brother Scaria went on to expand his agricultural venture to Karimkunnam, Thudanganad near Thodupuza and was soon joined there by another elder brother, Outha. Scaria died in his mid-thirties due to snake bite. The Scaria branch and five of the Outha branch further expanded by migration to Rekkandi of Wadakkumcherry, Palakkad. One of the Outha branch from Wadakkumcherry further migrated to the Sullia area of Karnataka. Meanwhile another elder brother Chandi and Chachan stayed back at the ancestral place at Vellilappilly. Shortly after, two of the Chandi branch also migrated to Wadkkumcherry.

Chachan stayed with his nuclear family at Thudanganad till he was transferred back to Ramapuram. When he built his own house near to Ramapuram high school in 1963 the family moved in, where we stayed till 1979. Towards the fag end of his teaching career, he had an unsuccessful venture into financing along with some of his colleagues and friends. Maybe he was inspired by his eldest brother Scaria and two of his brother in-laws, one a trader and the other two merchants.

By end of 1978, chachan relocated his family to Marathakkara in Ollur, Trissur for a short period while setting up base at Pazhayannur near Alathur, Wadakkumcherry shifting there in 1979. He and my mother stayed there passionate as ever in agriculture, till 2002 when they both came down to live with their only offspring at Cherunilam, Kochi. Ammachi went for her heavenly abode on 22nd November 2008 and Chachan at ninety-four is with me today. The next generation has spread its wings beyond the seven seas.