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eligible bachelor too. The Pathyil clan who had come by boat to Kaduthuruthy was
pleasantly surprised at the lavishness of the Pannivelil family. The wedding took place in
Kaipuzha on June 13, 1910. Naithy was decked in finery, attired in Chatta and mundu,
with ear-rings, necklace, gold chains, bangles, and ankle bracelets, and brought to
Kaipuzha. She was beautiful, with curly hair, very fair complexion, and taller than the
average girls of the time. The groom was in full regalia, wearing mundu, closed coat and
turban. Standing next to each other, they must have seemed a stunning couple. Her
mother Anna Kocheril, a gentle, loving and effusive soul, must have been concerned
about her young daughter going away from her protection. Chacko decided that having
given Naithy in marriage so young, she should stay on in Kaduthuruthy for a few more
years. Therefore, soon after the wedding, Naithy was brought to Nellupadathu There
under the loving tutelage of her mother, she continued to learn household chores. As
anyone who has eaten her food would testify, she mastered the culinary art. Even till
today, all of Naithy’s children compare any dish to her cooking. Her cooking has
remained the watermark, the measure, the standard taste-measure against which any
gourmet dish prepared by her children or grand children would assess their own culinary
capability.

Abraham had joined the teaching staff of St. Mary’s Kidangore. When Naithy became a
part of the Pathyil household, she was well received by Kochokan, as she had brought a
substantial dowry. Her first son was born in 1915. The confinement preceding the birth
of the baby was in Pannivelil (not in Nelluppadathu). Being the first grand son, Chacko
Pannivelil took special pride in looking after Kunju Luka - a name that the Pannivelil
clan was to call him all his life. Naithy’s sojourn in Pathyil was uneventful, as Kochokan,
the patriarch, had mellowed over the years. Her older sisters-in-law, who instructed her in
the art of pleasing the Pathyil men, specially protected her. She developed very close
friendship with Achamma, the wife of Uthup, with whom she would have a life-long
rapport. But for more than ten years, she had to live under the constant watch of her
father in law. In 1920, Naithy and the children settled in Kalluvelil. From then on, she
would be the mistress of her house. In the prolonged absences of her husband in
Kidangore, she would run the household with efficiency and confidence. She would give
birth every two years, but that would not deter her from supervising the multifarious
activities of her home.

Abraham’s change of school, and subsequent change of occupation must have affected
her. But she had implicit faith in the ability of her husband. She supported him in every
way. She was, all her life, his most ardent cheerleader. When Abraham began his boat
journeys to Olassa, Naithy had to be up before 4 a.m. to cook his breakfast, and lunch,
which she would lovingly pack. She never forgot to keep a portion of that for Kuriacko,
the boatman. Abraham would return from school late in the evening. During the rainy
season, and during floods, she would keep a look out to the western horizon to espy the
boat. When after several years, he decided to call a halt to school and teaching, she must
have been privately relieved. Besides, as the daughter of a businessman, Naithy knew that
one could prosper in business, if done with shrewdness. And she knew that her husband
was an extremely careful, and clever person. Thus Naithy aided and supported
Abraham’s Abkari business. Her share in the enterprise was to distill toddy to

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