Confluence of Two Unique Tharavads
We are the descendants of two well-known Tharavads (ancestral homes): Kalliat Thazhathu Veedu and Vayakara Patannakot of North Malabar. Our grandfather Kunhanandan Nambiar was a senior member of the K T clan and grandma Devaki Amma, the niece of the famous Rairu Nambiar, was from the V P clan.
After their betrothal, our grandparents spent their early married life at Kalliat and then moved to Padiyoor, Thalasseri, and Kodolipram. Anandapuram at Kodolipram was built in 1950. Our grandparents decided to settle down there. From then onwards, Anandapuram became the epicenter of a new family cluster.
Our grandparents had 16 children—five of whom passed away very young. As we go along, we will try and give you a rundown on each of the remaining 11 members. There are interesting stories about each one of them. What we want to try and capture is how the family members of this clan moved and evolved into a unit that values love in relationships and continues fostering this profound value system.
During the 50s, our grandfather was the Karnavar (ruler) of the gigantic and wealthy Kalliat Tharavad. He was the longest reigning Karnavar. As the head of the Tharavad he had two cars, a lorry, couple of elephants, deer, and a lot of cattle. In those days, he was said to have had 16 assistants to handle different portfolios. Legend has it that many of the petty cases in the village were arbitrated by our grandfather in his courtyard in front of the Tehsildars.
In view of certain differences of opinion with his brother Kunhi Kammaran Nambiar, the property of Kalliat Tharavad went into a long litigation. Finally during the early 60s, the property got partitioned. This was the beginning of the disintegration of family power and prosperity.
Another factor that hastened financial degradation was the lack of exposure. The absence of awareness about the strength of education as a tool for prosperity led to a lackadaisical approach when it came to getting our grandfather’s children educated. These factors had a definitive negative impact on his prosperity as well. The financial struggle was aggravated once the law—The Land Reforms Act—came into being in the 60s.
The construction of Anandapuram had begun just before the litigation process had gotten underway. The responsibility of construction was entrusted with his lieutenant— his right-hand man—Kunhiraman Nambiar. The necessary housing materials were procured by Mr. Raman. He was called “Vandikkaran Raman” as he owned a bullock cart.
It is said that even before the construction of Anandapuram was over, Vandikkaran Raman’s newly-built house was ready for occupation. The greatness of our grandfather was such that he refused to give any credence to these rumours and Raman continued to be associated with him. Even after our grandfather’s death, our mother was closely in touch with him till he breathed his last.
During the 50s and the early 60s, Kodolipram village was mango, and jackfruit trees. Our grandfather and his coterie would go hunting into the forest. The main prey used to be wild boar and Sāmbhar deer. There were a few tigers and cheetahs in the forest as well. Our grandfather is believed to have shot down a tiger one night from his seat at the verandah on the first floor of Anandapuram.
By the time he passed away in the early 60s, his immediate family began to feel the financial strain. From then till the mid 70s, it was an extremely tough grind for the family. But the beauty was that the family coexisted as happily as ever.