history

The genealogy and Family History of Thevalakara Vaidians

Thevalakara

Thevalakara is a place located in the north-western part of Kollam district, close to Ashtamudi Lake, in the Onattukara agricultural zone. North Mynagappally, Padinjattakkara, Kizhakkekkara, Naduvilakkara, Puthan Sankethanam, Palaakkal, and Arinalloor were all part of the former Thevalakara, which was a part of Karunagappally Taluk. Thevalakara was split into Thevalakara and Mynagappally for administrative reasons. Today, they are referred to as villages.

Origin

Brahmins began moving to Kerala from North India, Andhra, Karnataka, and other areas from the start of the second century B.C. (Page 30, Manorama Yearbook 1959). Over time, these Brahmins acquired vast landed properties. Their neighbours became farmers and their dependents.

Kingdom of Travancore

Venad, the areas south of Travancore that stretch from Kanyakumari to Edava, was ruled by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma Maharaja from 1729 to 1758 A.D. Attingal, Desanginad, Kayamkulam, Ilaiyadathu Swarowpam, Chembakassery, Thekkumkur, and Vadakumkur were among the numerous locations he invaded and conquered. He later joined Travancore and Venad. As a result, Travancore incorporated the Thevalakara province, which had previously been a part of the princely state of Desanginad. The Desanginad kingdom encompassed the regions from Edava and Kannetti. Desanginad’s capital was Kollam.

Madoms(Manas) in Thevalakara

Thevalakara was home to the Mangalassery Mana, a prominent Namboothiri family from Desanginad. Amachira temple was the family temple of Mangalassery Mana. From time to time, 18 branches of the succession split out from Mangalasseri Mana, and madoms were built and populated there. The eighteen manas in Thevalakara were Kallinal Mana, Chembakaparambu Mana, Puthussery Mana, Punnakkattu Mana, Pulinthanam Mana, Thazhamangalamthu Mana, Perumana, and Perumpally Mana. Some of the aforementioned madoms have moved, while others have abandoned the madoms and their belongings and made their homes elsewhere. Thevalakara was still home to the Thazhamangalathu madom and a few small madoms..

Given the large number of Namboodiris who lived here and adored the deity, this area was known as Devapalakar Kara. Devapalakar Kara eventually transformed to Thevalakara.

Madhavamangalam Mana

The renowned and magnificent Mangalasseril Mana got perished in a fire. Both people and property were lost in the fire. The surviving members of Mangalasseril Mana established a Mana called Madhavamanagalam in the location of Mappila Veedu which is the current remaining part of the house erected from the palace, and made it their home. This madom housed two Namboodiris. Madhavar Namboothiri, and his younger brother Vasudevar Namboothiri, Madhavar Namboodiri got married from Tharunanallur Mana, Kothamangalam.

An epidemic broke out in Thevalakara area. Many families suffered significant losses. Mangalasseri Mana was also affected by the epidemic, and Vasudevar Namboothiri and his family perished. Following that, Madhavar Namboodiri and his family sought refuge at their family temple, Amachira, where they worshipped the Almighty. They used some of the Madhavamangalam Mana to build a new madom on their low-lying property adjacent to the temple. He shifted his residence close to the temple to engage in God’s worship. Due to its low elevation, it was known as Thazhe Mangalam Mana. The descendants of Thazamangalthu Idichandy Vaidian still utilise the well that Namboodiri built in the past, and they live on the land where the Thazhe Managaman Mana once stood.

Akapurath Madom, a sub-madam, was situated on the upper part of the north side courtyard in addition to this madom.

At Thazhamangalath Madom, Kesavan Namboothiri became the family head around 1650 AD. Devaki Antharjanam, from a sub-branch of Tharananallur Mana, was his wife. The couple had two boys, Krishnan and Damodaran Namboothiri, and a daughter, Yashodhara. Yashodhara was wed to Padmanabhan Namboothiri, who was from her mother’s side of the Tharunanallur Mana. Lakshmi Antharjanam, a native of Kothamangalam, married Krishnan Namboothiri. Damodaran Namboothiri, his younger son, wed Kallada Peruvelikkara Manayil’s Janaki Antharjanam. They all led contented and harmonious lives.

Both Krishnan Namboothiri and Damodaran Namboothiri were proficient in Sanskrit.

Krishnan Namboothiri brought a Pillai, a caretaker, to Thevalakara from his wife’s native place of Kothamangalam. Krishnan Nampoodiri gave Pillai a house on the Kaippally property next to the madam. Pillai meticulously handled the Madom’s affairs.

Conversion

Krishnan Namboothiri and his wife used to travel to Kothamangalam. A boat was the finest choice for long-distance travel in those days, and a bow cart was the fastest mode of transportation. A boat carried Krishnan Namboothiri and his wife to Kothamangalam. The necessary supplies were bought from local marketplaces as the boat was being brought ashore. On one such occasion, while he was relaxing in Kottayam after sending the man to the market, he noticed several people standing on the side of the road. When he enquired about it, he understood that the Syrian Christians were spreading the gospel. The messages and the passion of the people inspired Krishnan Namboothiri. It was there that he was given a copy of the Bible written on leather. For him, reading the Bible came naturally. After having a change of heart, he became a Christian.

After returning from Kothamangalam, Krishnam Namboothiri continued to read the Bible, which infuriated his younger brother Damodaran Namboothiri. As a result, Krishnan Namboodiri and his family moved to the Akappurath madom, and soon they became Christians. Around 1675 AD, Lakshmi Antharjanam was baptised as Mariam and Krishnan Namboothiri as Thomman in Kottayam Cheriya Pally. They were blessed with a son, Thomman Thomman, and he was baptised at the Thevalakara Marthamariam Church.

The Namboodiris maintained their traditional attire and lifestyles even after converting to Christianity. Because of this, some Christians at the time wore sacred thread clothing and tufts on their heads.

Damodaran Namboothiri- the younger brother- departs

As a result of his older brother Krishnan Namboothiri’s conversion, Damodaran Namboothiri and his family moved from Thevalakkara and established a madom called Thazhamangalam close to Kallada Peruvelikkara, his wife’s home town. Following the death of Damodaran Namboothiri, his descendants relocated to Kottarakkara, where they established a madom known as Thazhamangalam. This family’s descendants were eventually split up into three branches. In Kottavattom, which is close to Kottarakkara, a family established their home. The late Shri. D. Damodaran Potti, the former Speaker of Kerala, was a native of Thazhamangalam, Kottavattom.

Virata Rajguru

When Thomman Thomman was a child, a Mysorean royal priest (rajguru) who had gone out to beg visited the madom, thinking it was a Brahmin madom. North of Mysore was the famous Virata Kingdom. The monk, who had abandoned his home and fortune to travel by participating in vanaprastha, or partial retirement from worldly life, was impressed by the couple’s demeanour and knowledge. He expressed his desire to spend his final days with this devout family, praying and meditating. The monk was informed by the family that they are Christians. The monk proclaimed his respect for all religions when he moved in.

Additionally, the monk revealed to them that he belonged to the Virataraja clan. He was an all-knowing doctor and a Sanskrit scholar. He taught him how to manage eye conditions and took over Thomman Thomman’s education and Sanskrit instruction. The young man excelled academically and went on to become an eye doctor. He also showed the youngster how to create medications and several other applications that were not included in the texts. Over time, Thomman became a strong expert in eye treatment. Thomman rose to fame as an oculist at a young age. He provided free medical attention to the sufferers. Following his achievement of Samadhi, Virata Rajaguru was buried in a field near the madom after completing Hindu rituals. A lamp was lit here with reverence until the year A.D. 1885 since it is an essential aspect of Hindu worship and everyday rituals.

In mappila veedu (Valiya Veedu), the puja utensils of Virata Rajaguru, methiyadi, udayada, turban, sandalwood stick, peedam, etc., are still preserved as antiques.

Eye therapy and the physician status

Krishnan Namboothiri’s caretaker, Pillai (Kothamangalth), who subsequently became an officer in the Padmanabhaswamy temple, had witnessed Thomman Thomman’s skill in healing eye ailments during his frequent trips to Thevalakara.

Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the ruler of the Travancore kingdom at the time sought a good physician to treat Maharani (the Maharaja’s mother) when doctors failed to heal Maharani’s eye ailment. Pillai (Kothamangalath) informed him about Thomman Thomman. Upon King’s order, Thomman Thomman treated Maharan’s eye illness, a condition that other doctors were unable to cure. The king was ecstatic beyond measure.

In AD 1740, the Maharaja named Thomman Thomman Vaidian as the Palace opthalmologist. It was decreed that the post would be filled successively and that the male members of this family would now have to append the title “Vaidian” (physician) to their names. That is how Vaidian’s title originated. It still exists today

Rewards from the palace

Maharani’s eye condition delayed Thomman Thomman’s return to Thevalakara by several months. During this time the Maharajah sent officials from the palace and the Akapurathu madom was renovated and given the name Maha Pillai Veedu (Mappila Veedu), and special gifts and land holdings were distributed tax-free. The land chief was tasked with repairing the house annually. Even though it is called Mappila Veedu, only government documents make reference to it.

The royal attendants would bring Thomman Thomman Vaidian to the palace once a month till his death. He would spend a few days with the King, pay his respects, and then return to Thevalakara. His family had served as palace eye physicians ever since.

Palace Eye Physicians

  1. Thomman Thomman Vaidian Mappila Veedu

  2. Kochu Thomman Vaidian Mappila Veedu

  3. Oommmmen Vaidian Mappila Veedu

  4. Kunjukoshy Vaidian Mappila Veedu

  5. Lukose Vaidian Thayil Thiruvananthapuram

  6. L.C. Koshy Vaidian Thayil Thiruvananthapuram

  7. Kunjchandy Vaidian Thengumvila Vadakkethil

  8. Kochukoshy Vaidian Thengumvila Vadakkethil

  9. Oommmmen Vaidian(Baby) Thengumvila Vadakkethil

The Kerala government dissolved the position of palace physician upon Oommumman Vaidian’s passing.

Thevalakara Vaidian – Family Lineage

Thevalakara Tarayil Tharakan’s (who moved to Thevalakara on business from Kollam) sole daughter – Kunjandamma – was married to Thomman Thomman Vaidian. Three offspring make up the third generation:

  1. Kochu Thomman Vaidian (Mappila Veedu)
  2. Kunjakkanda Vaidian (Tharayil)
  3. Koshy Vaidian (Kumpalath)

  1. Kochuthomman Vaidian (Mappila Veedu)

Following the traditions of his Namboodiri ancestors, Kochuthomman Vaidian, the elder son of Thomman Thomman Vaidian, resided in the Mappila Veedu, his ancestral house. He wed Puthuveettil Tharakan’s only daughter, Kunjannamma. They are parents of two fourth-generation children:

a 1. Ommumman Vaidian (Mappila Veedu),

a. 2 Cheriyathu Vaidian Puthen Veedu)

Ommumman Vaidian(a.1), the eldest son, wed Achiyamma, daughter of Kallada Malayil Muthalaly. In the fifth generation, they had a girl and three sons.

      1. Kunjukoshy Vaidian (Mappila Veedu),
      2. Kunjchandi Vaidian (Kaithavilayil),
      3. Ommumman Vaidian (Thengumvilayil)

Cheriyathu Vaidian(a.2) married Kunjanamma of Thumpamon Thekke Veedu. He constructed a new home on the north side of Mappila Veedu(Valiya Veedu) and named it Puthen Veedu and relocated there. Their three fifth-generation offspring:

      1. Ommumman Vaidian (Thondapurath),
      2. Koshy Vaidian (Perumana Puthenveedu-Konnavilayil),
      3. Cheriyathu Vaidian (Puthen Veedu)

  1. Kunjakkanda Vaidian (Tharayil)

Kunjakkanda Vaidian, the second son of the third generation, relocated to his mother’s house (near Thevalakara market) following the passing of Tharayil Tharakan.

He got married from Maranad and had only a son; Kochu Thomman (fourth generation) and Kochu Thomman Vaidian also had a son, Ommumman Vaidyan (5th generation) and Ommumman Vaidian’s only child was Kunjachi (6th generation)

Kunjachi got married to Geevarghese of Pandakashala in Kottarakkara and stayed in her ancestral house. (Kaleelil).

  1. Koshi Vaidian Kumpalath

The third son of Thomman Thomman Vaidian, Koshy Vaidian (Kumbalath), constructed a home on a piece of land that was located on the west side of the Mappila Veedu and made it his home. He was twice married. He first wed Annamma, a Kallupara native.

In the fourth generation, they had a daughter and two sons. His daughter was married to Valiyaveettil Kottarakkara.

His eldest son Thomman Vaidian (Kumpalathu Puthenveedu – Ediyele Veedu) and second son Mathai Vaidian (Kumpalath Vadakke Puthen Veedu – Vadakkettathu).

In the fifth generation, Thomman Vaidian (Kumpalathu Puthen Veedu) had three sons: Thomman Vaidian (Thayyil Vadakkethil), Mathai Vaidian (Vazhayil) and Koshy Vaidian (Kumpalath Puthenveedu – Edayile Veedu).

The fifth generation of Mathai Vaidian include four sons:

Mathai Vaidian (Puthussery), Idichchandy Vaidian (Vadakkettath Vadakkathil), Geevarghese Vaidian (Plavilayil) and Kunjakkanda Vaidian (Puthenpurakkal).

Koshy Vaidian married Achamma (a widow) from Kottarakkara Pulaman Vadakkantariyath following the passing of his wife Annamma. From her first marriage, Achamma had a son, and he also accompanied her to Thevalakara.

Koshy Vaidian’s second marriage produced five sons, making them the fourth generation.

Koshy Vaidian(Thayyil), Kochu Thomman Vaidan (Thayyil Thekkethil), Kunjchandi Vaidian (Thekke Thayyil),

Kunjakkanda Vaidian (Kumpalath Vadakkethil), and Kunjukurian Vaidian (Kumpalath)

Thayyil Koshy Vaidian has three sons in the fifth generation:

Kochukoshi Vaidian (Karipottu), Kochuthomman Vaidian (Thayyil) and Lukose Vaidian (Thayyil Thiruvananthapuram) who served as a palace eye physician during the reign of Sree Moolam Maharajah.

Kochuthomman Vaidian has four sons in the fifth generation: Kochukoshy Vaidian (Velliyottu), Kochuthomman Vaidian (Kochu PuthenVeedu) and Philipose Vaidian (Thayyil Thekkethil)

Kunjchandi Vaidian of Thekkethaiyil has two sons in the fifth generation: Kochukoshy Vaidian ( Palavila) and Kochu Thomman Vaidian ( Thekke Thayyil).

Kunjakkanda Vaidian of Kumpalthu Vadakkethil had two sons in the fifth generation: Kochu Thomman Vaidian (Padinjare Veedu) and Kunjukoshi Vaidian (Kumpalath Vadakkethil).

Kunjukurian Vaidian of Kumpalath had four sons from the fifth generation: Koshy Vaidian (Aikyarazhikath), Kochuthomman Vaidian (Kamathara), Kunjandi Vaidian (Padinjare Thalakkal) and Kunjakkanda Vaidian (Kumpalath).

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