Page 51 - Microsoft Word - My story of Pathyil Kalluvelil as told by Joseph Pathyil

51

weight of work of her loving mother in law, and asked to be allowed to spend the last
days with her own family in Neendoor. Lukose would be in Athirampuzha during the day
and he would spend the night at the bedside of his beloved wife in Neendoor. On May 17,
1944 Achamma asked for a priest to give her the last rites., She asked her father in law
and mother in law along with Dani visit her that night. They went to her, knowing that
the end was near. She spoke to her eldest son consoling him, and entrusting him to
Naithy. She asked her husband to remarry. She begged forgiveness of her elders for any
offence. Achamma desired that they all spend the night in Nedunthuruthil. There,
surrounded by all her loved ones, she breathed her last on May 18, 1944, as she had
expected and desired. She was interred in the tomb specially prepared for her in Kaipuzha
by Abraham.

Lukose was only 29 years old when Achamma died. He loved her with the love of a
young man, and mourned her passing. The toddy shop in Athirampuzha having to be
abandoned, Abraham decided to set Lukose up in business in Alappuzha. He was given
three thousand rupees (a substantial amount of money at that time) and sent to live with
his bachelor maternal uncle -Mathaikunju, who was already well established in a Coir
Factory of his own. There Lukose was to apprentice with him, and start his own. Lukose
had a good time in Alappuzha, which was the centre of commerce in Travancore at that
time. Money ran out sooner than he expected, and Lukose returned home chagrined.

In the mean time several proposals for marriage came thick and fast. From out of the blue
came a proposal from far-off Ranni. Abraham had heard of the distinguished Aronnil
family, prominent in the Knanaya Jacobite community. Alyamma was the second, and
had studied in St. Anne’s High School, Kottayam. She had offers of marriage from many
sources. But Philip Aronnil (Ikkoi) was not satisfied with any of those families. When the
proposal for alliance with Pathyil Kalluvelil was mooted, Philip was interested. Abraham
consulted Bishop Choolapparambil, who suggested that Alyamma could become a
Catholic and the marriage could be blessed. The Bishop personally interviewed her and
received her into the church. Subsequently Philip and several members of her family
became Catholics. The marriage took place in Kaipuzha in January 1945. Alyamma came
to Kalluvelil as the eldest daughter - in-law. She always maintained the most affectionate
and respectful relationship with her in-laws. Her regard and consideration for her
husband’s parents would be reflected in her children too.

Toddy shop in Athirampuzha again became the proud possession of Abraham, and
Lukose went back there. Alyamma was the most important single influence in the life of
Lukose. Starting with Valsa in 1946, she presented Lukose with a child every two years
or sooner, until the last one - ThomasKutty - was born on August 25, 1959. Along with
that, she became the hostess to all the receptions that Lukose loved to throw in his house
in Athirampuzha. In addition to the members of the two families who visited them
frequently, his social circle was wide and varied. Life in Athirampuzha was full and
lively.

In 1948 Abraham decided to abandon Athirampuzha outlet, due to stiff competition. A
piece of land was bought in Neendoor and Lukose and family settled in Aripparambil on

www.knanayology.org