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C. ANNAMMA THENAKARA

Annamma was born in 1920. She and her sister Mariamma went to Kaipuzha Convent
school for the first few years. At the age of twelve she was admitted to St. Anne’s
English School, Kottayam, where Annamma and Mariamma were boarders. Mariamma
seems to have taken on her responsibilities as guardian of her kid sister seriously, as she
wrote to her father complaining about Annamma’s proclevity to run to the window
whenever she heard a bus or car on the road. (Automobile was a new phenomenon in
India at that time.) Annamma was a handful and the good sisters must have had to exert
much discipline on her. She also studied in St. Mary’s Girls School, Athirampuzha.

Annamma’s education came to an end in 1934 when she got married to Thommankutty
Thenakara-Kalappurayil. Thommankutty was the eldest son of Chacko, scion of
Thenakara, a prosperous and ancient family. Chacko was a cynic and had a caustic
tongue. It was no easy matter to ever get an straight response or statement from him. It
was his habit to preface all remarks with pithy sayings and wry remarks. His wife was a
domineering woman, who decided that Annamma had been spoiled at home, and
therefore needed a heavy hand to retrain her. She set Annamma to do all menial tasks of
the household such as sweeping the courtyard, washing the heavy pots and pans, fetching
water and firewood, and so on - all of which was done by the servants in Kalluvelil.
Annamma did not protest. She had no support, as Thommankutty himself was scared of
his mother. As for Chacko, Annamma’s father in law, he had no opinion about what went
on in the kitchen department. Annamma’s first few years were very difficult. One day her
older brother came to visit her, saw her working in the courtyard, wearing dirty rags,
haggard and disheveled. At the sight of her “Kunjanja”, Annamma burst out in
uncontrollable sobs.. He stormed into the kitchen, upbraided the lady of the house,drew
and drank some water from the well, and walked away.

Annamma’s first son was born eight years after her marriage. She was brought to
Kalluvelil for confinement as was the custom. Jacob was born on July 16, 1942. It was
also the custom for someone from the husband’s family to come after about ninety days
of the birth of the baby, to fetch the mother and child back. However, no one came to do
that. Abraham decided that he was not going to let Annamma go to an unwanted house.
Annamma stayed on in Kalluvelil, and the boy grew up happy under the care of the big
family . About eight months later, Thommankutty came to bring Annamma back to
Manjoor. Perhaps that was the turning point in the attitude of Annamma. She decided that
she would assert her rightful place in the household. A second child was born on July 25,
1945. She was named Philomena, and called Crissy. A third child- Alphonsa- born in
1948, died soon after birth. The youngest Avarachan was born on June 12, 1951.

Thommankutty and family settled in a house of their own. Life became tolerable, though
Annamma’s responsibilities increased manifold. Thommankutty had always been
overruled by others, and did not have much self-confidence. His wife took over charge
of all activities. Thommankutty complained of various illnesses. Some very good doctors
treated him in innumerable places. His father in law persuaded him in 1955 to try
naturopathy treatment. During the treatment, which consisted of mud bath, sunbathing,

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