Page 4 - Microsoft Word - My story of Pathyil Kalluvelil as told by Joseph Pathyil

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of the members of the Pathyil Kalluvelil clan - men and women, sons and daughters - are
essential parts of the story. The affection and closeness of the cousins and nephews and
nieces of the clan attest to this feeling of oneness.

The traditional style of narrating a family history is to paint all the ancestors as heroic and
saintly. I do not intend to do that. I believe that, in the interest of veracity and
believability, truth must be told. It does not diminish the ancestors; it only makes them
more human. The reader will appreciate the times and places of these stories, as also the
mores and beliefs of the people in those times. We cannot sit in judgement on our
ancestors using today’s yardsticks.

The story is as seen by me, as thought and reconstructed by me; as told to me and as
remembered by me. In other words, the opinions, judgements and conclusions are my
own. If others do not agree with my observations, that is as it should be. My only defense
is that everything that is written here is with not a trace of malice or rancor. My love for
the family is second to none. Therefore, while I have tried to be honest and factual, I have
also been imbued with affection for my kith and kin.

I had help from several sources. Neendoor Malyekalaya Placheril Kudumbacharithram, a
book in Malayalam about the Placheril family, written by Fr. Lucas Pathyil, Jose
Nedunthuruthy and others for the “Placheril Kudumba Yogam” was of immense help. Sr.
Vincent’s invaluable data on people, which she had inherited from late Joseph Pannivelil,
and updated, was a basic source. Both maternal uncles – Lukose and Mathew Pannivelil-,
who are happily still with us as I write, were funds of information. Sr. Nicholas, the
oldest of the Pathyil clan, mined her memory to come up with some gems. Fr. George
Pathyil helped. Mr. Mathew Tharayil, the oldest and the most knowledgeable of the
Tharayil family, was a valuable source. Theyamma George was the resident researcher in
Kaipuzha and diligently helped in much of the work. Many others, too numerous to
mention, deserve my heartfelt gratitude. In the end, however, the story is mine, as seen
and remembered by me. All shortcomings in the narration are entirely mine.

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