THE KUNNENKERIL FAMILY
(The extracts from the Diary of my great great grandfather Rev K. Koratha)
I was very much fascinated to read the book “The Kunnenkeril Family” written by Mr. John K John. I admire it for its accuracy and historical relevance. I decided to put this piece of information for the benefit of our growing family.
The Kunnnenkerils came from Tiruvalla to Aymanam. The exact place in Tiruvalla is Karakkal. In Karakkal there were four important Syrian Christian families. The four main families had about eighteen branches. Of these powerful, ancient and traditional four families – Kunnenkeril was second.
The names of the four families are
1.Chacko Panikar Veedu
2.Kunnenkeril Veedu
3.Mattakkal Veedu
4.Kallopara – Puthenpurakkal Veedu.
The Kunnenkeril family house was built by two brothers. The brothers were boat merchants. They were traveling by stream along Karakkal. They felt Karakkal was a charming place to reside in. They purchased some lands and built a house. My grandmother told me that their forefathers belonged to Kodungallur or Kuruvallangadu. Once in two or three years they used to go to Kuruvallangadu Church to make their offerings.
Some people believe that these people came along with Baryesu Muthalali. They were supposed to have come to Quilon and then proceeded to Thevalakara and then established the Kunnenkeril House. But I don’t know whether this information is correct.
Of course, all the people in and around Tiruvalla will admit that this is an ancient family.
The four families held special privileges among the Syrian Christians. They presided over most of the important ceremonies and anniversaries. Usually a member of this family stood with his staff in hand in a place of honour or sometimes a deputy was sent to represent them with the staff. Only after the arrival of the dignitary with the staff, the other guests were allowed to enter the pandal and start feast.
There were times when weddings have taken place at Niranom five miles away from Karakkal. The tired guest along with the bride and bridegroom had to wait till one of the four families came and gave them permission to start the feast. Some times these men with the staff came after a good meal, chewing betel. It is ironical to not that today their property seem to be wandering around as worthless characters – this seems like revenge.
In some parishes there is a custom of giving 21 “CHURRUTU” (Special weeding sweets) to the priest. In fact it is their due. In the same manner the members of these four families claimed 12 “CHURRUTU”.
On Palm Sunday, they pounded fried rice flour, coconuts, plantains and jaggery were collected from all Syrian Christians of Karakkal. This was taken to the Niranom Church. All these ingredients were mixed and placed in huge copper containers near the steps before St. Mary and consecrated before the Holy Qurbana (Mass) and after the service it was brought up to the two storeyed reading room. The rice flour with the other mixed ingredients was made into big balls. People from different localities received a ball each. The priests take their share too. And finally four big shares called “ELEPHANT HEADS” are kept for the four big houses. From this smaller balls are made and given to the members of the Karakkal family. Such customs were carried on. After the Karakkal church was built this stopped.
During weddings, sheets and blankets were spread during the first course for the members of these honoured families, and they accepted it as their due. In the Niranom church, a mat was spread near the altar steps for the same members. Nowadays I don’t think they have such glory or any privileges.
The first members of the Kunnenkeril family were ambitious men who earned a lot and bought large compounds and fields. Eight or ten generations were bestowed the title of “Tharakkan” by kings and lords. They had to give offerings usually in the form of money to retain this title.
When there were fights among the kings abs lords, the members of the Tharakkan family joined with the Syrian Christians (Mapillas). Each house had a special room to preserve weapons like guns known as the “Thokku Chari”. I have seen this.
Every year ten members went to the eastern side of Tiruvalla Shetram to watch the ceremonial dance” Vela thullal”. They used to lend their weapons for the occasions. I have seen some of the weapons safely kept in the attic. Some of the shields were so big, one could hide behind it. The shield was borrowed during Pullayas weddings: the bride and bridegroom got married under this shield.
Our forefathers were members of the Niranom Church. They donated large sums of the church building. The western side was uneven, they leveled the ground. They also built the storeyed reading room and gifted golden chalice (Eucharistic wine cup) and paten (plate for bread at Eucharist). They purchased fields near Niranom so that arrangements could be made for these members to have lunch. They came from a distance.
Tippu Sultan invaded Travancore. The King of Travancore incurred a lot of expenses. All the churches were expected to share the country’s expense.. Each church donated a fair share for war expenses. There was an order to burn down churches that did not pay the required money by the due date.Rs.1000/-(Rupees One Thousand Only) was the total amount Niranom was asked to pay. At that time to meet the emergency Metropolitan persuaded Kunnenkeril Tharakkan to pay Rs.1000/-(Rupees One Thousand Only). Actually it was taken as a sort of loan. As a concession the members of this family were exempted from paying their share to the church from the dowry money and the funeral fees. There was a palm leaf with the signature allowing this family to enjoy these privileges. This precious piece of document was preserved in the wooden box with other important documents. Though they had a written order of exemption this family willingly paid what was due to the church. About six or seven families in Karakkal also joined the Anglican Church.
