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5. KALLUVELIL ABRAHAM

Kalluvelil literally means Stone-Fence. The present Kalluvelil property had belonged to
the Ezhava family still living north-east of the ancestral house. In fact their property was
known as Kalluvelil, and the western portion known as Kalluvelil Chirayil, to distinguish
it as being part of the land reclaimed from the fields. Even today, the ancient folks call
our property Kalluvelil Chirayil, and the land where Theyamma has her house is known
as Kalluvelil Parambil. Kalluvelil Chirayil the reclaimed land, is not older than a century.
As was mentioned elsewhere, Fr. Alexander Choolapparambil –later to become the
Bishop of Kottayam- blessed the house and was given a gold sovereign as gift.

The scion of Kalluvelil was Kunjittiavira. Kunjittiavira (young, loving, Abraham), born
March 4, 1891, was tall - he was about 5' 10" in height,- broad-shouldered, and with
distinguished features. He stood head and shoulders above most people, literally and
figuratively. He had his education in Mannanam, studied up to Matriculation, was the
school-mate of some of the future giants of the community. Abraham ( as we shall call
him from now on) was a classmate of Joseph Chazhikat, V.J. Joseph, Thomas Makil and
a host of other luminaries of his times. The friendship with these distinguished men
would endure all their lives. These four would become the architects of the Knanaya
Catholic Congress and other lay-driven organisms in the Diocese of Kottayam.

Abraham had an artistic bend. He had a natural talent for design and drawing. To foster
this art form, he went to Alappuzha Arts School for special training in drawing and
painting. He studied with some of the well known artists of the time in Kerala, including
artist Urmis. For years Urmis and Abraham collaborated in painting murals in several
churches, which still stand as monuments to the imagination of Abraham and artistic
ability of Urmis. Abraham returned to Kaipuzha after his training. At the age of 18, on
June 13, 1910 he married Naithy of Makil-Pannivelil. Bishop Makil presented the newly
married couple with a Book of Prayers –Nithyarathana- with greetings printed in gold
letters. Naithy treasured the book, and the family heirloom is in the possession of
Theyamma, one of her daughters.

Naithy was less than thirteen years old when she married Abraham. It was therefore
decided that she would return to Kaduthuruthy for some time. Her father Chacko
Pannivelil was a prominent merchant in Kaduthuruthy and a gregarious and generous
person. Naithy was his eldest and he wanted to make sure that she was well looked after.
Abraham was restless about his separation, albeit temporary, from Naithy. One fine day
he decided to visit her in style. He took several of his friends by race boat to
Kaduthuruthy. Abraham and his cohorts were well received by Chacko and the family,
spent a couple of days in Nellupadathu which was where Naithy and her parents lived.
When it came time to leave, Abraham was hoping to take Naithy with him. Chacko
vetoed her return by race boat. Abraham had to return disappointed. Later, he went by
ordinary boat to fetch his wife. Naithy lived in Pathyil along with her in-laws, under the
watchful supervision of patriarch Kochokan. In 1920 she and her children were packed
off to Kalluvelil by her father in law. When Abraham returned over the week-end from
Kidangore where he had been teaching, he found that his family was in Kalluvelil, and he

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