Page 26 - Microsoft Word - My story of Pathyil Kalluvelil as told by Joseph Pathyil

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and recount old stories.

Kunjeppu Elakattu was perhaps the most important factor in the business success of
Abraham. Kunjeppu belonged to a distinguished family that had fallen on hard times.
Kunjeppu entered the service of Abraham gradually, until he managed almost all aspects
of all his activities. Kunjeppu supervised the running of the many toddy shops; he
oversaw preparations of weddings in the family; he looked after the sick and the dying;
he helped in the bereavements in the family; Kunjeppu was a steward - faithful, honest,
dignified, and trustworthy. Two of his sons had gone to the Middle East to earn a living,
and when they returned with money to start their own business, Kunjeppu left the service
of the household. But he remained very close to the Kalluvelil family - loved and
respected by all. Kalluvelil children mourned his passing in 1990 as one of their own dear
ones.

Abraham was not overly generous towards the servants, and even to the stewards who
were so essential to the wellbeing of the family. Why, then, did these people stay so
faithful and so long? Perhaps it was necessity. He treated them with respect. But perhaps
the real reason was Naithy. Her attitude to the three mentioned above and to others whom
we will mention in passing, was one of solicitude and deep affection. No one could desert
her, especially since they also knew the weight of her burden -children, the household,
hospitality, and through it all, her goodness of heart. He could charm anyone to do things
for her.. More about her in a later chapter.

Abraham had tremendous “observation power” - his own expression. He had an
inquisitive mind, and he wanted to learn everything. What he did not understand, he
would ask. In the field of agriculture, he was always open to new ideas. He also knew
how to blend innovative ideas with traditional techniques of farming. His crops were
better than those of his neighbors. His bunds were sturdier than those of others. He
acquired fields and lands continuously. Whenever there was a parcel of land for sale, he
was available to bargain. And he was a hard bargainer. He was more educated than most,
he had more money than most, and therefore his leverage was greater. Through lendings,
straight purchases, and through whatever means, he ended up acquiring five times the
property that he had inherited. The Kurumulloor property that he had reluctantly inherited
became a place where he experimented. He bought surrounding properties - a total of
twenty eight acres. There where nothing would grow, he planted rubber that no one
thought would grow in those climes. He planted lime-grass and tapioca, and made a
paradise of the wilderness. By the time he was forty years old, he was one of the richest
land-owners of the vicinity.

He need not have left his teaching profession to do farming, as it is a seasonal avocation,
and the servants could be trusted to supervise those activities. He continued to buy
properties around the household. Some of the rich Ezhavas were not happy with
Abraham’s influence and prominence. They waylaid and assaulted him once. In
retaliation, he decided to encroach on Abkari contract, a business which had been their
sole preserve from time immemorial. Christians only contributed to the amassing of the
wealth of the contractors, as they were their main clients. Abraham decided to enter the

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