Family History

An Ancient Suriyani (Syrian) Christian Family In Central Travancore, Kerala.

The Paruvanany, Paruvanani or Paruvananickal family or simply Paruvanany family is an ancient Suriyani (Syrian) Christian family in Kerala, India. Most Christians in Kerala are known as Syrian Christians in view of the Syriac (classical form of Aramaic) liturgy used in church services since the early days of Christianity in India. They are also known as Nasrani (followers of Jesus the Nazarene).

Our Family believed to be originated from a Syrian Christian Clan Family, Vayalakombil, originated from Potttakayal Family of Jewish Converts in Kodungalloor region, today’s Thrissur district. The Pottakayal Tharavad was initially at Kodungalloor. Many branches of Vayalakombil later moved to different parts of Kerala, starting from 17th century due to the division created between Puthenkoor and Pazhayakoor.

The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church, and Malankara Syrian Catholic Church comprise the Marthoma Nasranis.

The Paruvanany Family clan includes names like Perigalloor, Thottuva, Paruvanany, Paruvananickal, and others. In the 17th century, our known great grandfather from the Paruvanany Family, a branch of the Vayalakombil Suriyani Family, settled in Mevida, a small region in the Meenachil region of Palai.

ORIGIN OF FAMILY NAME

When our ancestor Thomman Philipose settled in the Mevida region in the 17th century, he had a large Wild Jack tree (Artocarpus hirsutus or) ആനി) in his agricultural land. During that time, the tree was the identity of his home in the neighbourhood. In that Wild Jack Tree, a common wild plant known as Paruval (Pothos scandens, Climibing Aroid, or Peruva) with white and yellow flowers and hanging seed was seen.

Neighbors used to call my grandfather's house Paruval Anickal (House with a Wild Jack Tree and Climbing Aroid Plants). Later, this identification of the family house became our well-known surname, Paruvanany. The Paruvanany, Paruvanani, and Paruvananickal families, as well as simply Paruvanany, are variations on this family name.

OUR BASE FAMILY – VAYALA KOMBIL

Our family is said to have originated in the Malabar Early Christian settlement region. Muchiri is the name given to Kodungalloor in Roman documents. It was the Chera Kings' capital. Malyankara, mentioned in the Ramban Pattu, is also on the Kodungalloor coast.

The Apostle Thomas came to India In the year 52 AD with Jewish businessmen in Kerala. St. Thomas is believed to have preached among the Jews in their colonies in Kodungalloor. There were Aramaic speaking Jews in the region.

St. Thomas is said to have baptized the ruler of Kodungaloor, his family, and 40 Jews (Bernard, C.F., Mar Thoma Christians). St. Thomas first preached the gospel and established the first church in Kodungalloor. Kodungalloor was also the location of the first Jewish and Muslim churches. The Jewish copper plates mentioned Muyirikode and Singli, which were also in Kodungalloor.

It is unknown when St. Thomas's church in Kodungalloor was destroyed. When the Portuguese arrived in Kerala in the early 16th century, there were three churches in Kodungalloor: St. Thomas, Virgin Mary, and Kuriakose Sahada.  It was also a Bishop's residence. One of the churches is thought to have been built by Knayi Thoma. 

Many people migrated to the surrounding areas after clashes between Arabs and Christians in the 9th century. Christians from Kodungalloor are thought to have migrated to Angamaly, Vazhakulam, Koratty, Kanjoor, and Malayattoor. The number of Christians in Kodungalloor gradually declined. 

Surprisingly, we will find Tharayil & Karakkattu (Vayalakombil branch) families in Knanaya Community. The Knanaya family branches like Vayala, Valuparambil, Valayil, Vayalil Kalappurackal etc traces its origin to Vayalakombil Family.  Vayala Family Branches in Ranni, Kallissery regions in Pathanamthitta districts in Knanaya Jacobite community are originated from Vayalakombil family only. 

Pannipallil, Mulangasseril, Vilakum Maruthu, Thazhathu Kunnel, Kochu Parambil etc are other branches of Vayalakombil suriyani family.

THOMMAN MAPPILA VAYALAKOMBIL -

Thomman from the Pottakayal family in Kodungalloor, a Christian Trader (Originally Thekkumbhagar, today's Knanaya Community), travels to Vayalakombil near the Meenachil river banks to attend a wedding. An unexpected event occurred in the marriage, resulting in several disputes and fights. Thomman Mappila was a Vadakan Kalari expert (Ancient Martial Arts Tradition from Malabar). He, too, was involved in the fight and protected the family from the others until the marriage took place. He stayed there for a long time, offering protection to the illam.

Meenachil Kartha was informed of his bravery and timely interception during the event. Because the family he guarded belonged to Karthas's family. Thomman Mappila was offered a position as a military commander in the royal army of Meenachil Kingdom to train young soldiers.

When the Thekkukoor Kings attacked Meenachil Kingdom, warriors led by Thomman Mappila fought, defeated them, and defended the Kartha's sovereignty. His bravery and loyalty later elevated him to command of Meenachil Kartha's Royal Army. During this time, he was offered a house, servants, and multiple wives.

Later in the 17th century, they were defeated by Travancore's army led by Dharma Raja (the successor of Marthanda Varma), and their kingdom was annexed by Travancore (the ruling king committed suicide). Their entire male population, including boys, was slaughtered. The ladies, on the other hand, were spared. In addition, the Travancore king granted them a pension. Due to the Travancore forces' genocide, the family had a successor only after a very long gap.

ST. THOMAS CATHEDRAL CONSTRUCTION, PALAI

The church was established on July 3, 1002, by four Syrian Christian families. Tharayil, Koottumkal (brother of Tharayil Mappila), Erakonni, and Vayalakombil were the four Christian families of Palai. They primarily engaged in agriculture and trade. According to the written history, these families founded the Pala church.

Tharayil Thomman Mappila and Vayalakombil Thomman Mappila wish to construct a church in Pala. However, the local ruler, Meenachil Kartha (karthavu), requested that they bring two more families. The Erakonni family joined them, but they still needed one more family. So Tharayil Mappila brought his own brother's son from Kaduthuruthy to Pala, and their surname became Koottumkal.

Meenachil Karthas donated land on the banks of the Meenachil River, and the church was built. These four families lived in and around the church, as well as across the street from it.