Chronicles of Malabar: മാണിഗ്രാമക്കാരും അവരുടെ ചരിത്രവും

Chronicles of Malabar: മാണിഗ്രാമക്കാരും അവരുടെ ചരിത്രവും: ഇത്തരം ഒരു ലേഖനത്തിന്റെ പ്രസക്തി- ആരാണ്  മാണിഗ്രാമക്കാര്‍ ? പണ്ട് പണ്ട് കേരളം എന്ന  ദേശത്ത് ക്രൈസ്തവ  വിശ്വാസം എത്തി ആരാണ്...

Voyage en Inde, (1771), 1997, p.222-225.].

Anquetil Du Perron  gives in French the contents of the engravings on copper plaques or “olles” of a series of local privileges concerning taxes, land rights, rights to purchase and sell, rights to ride on elephants, the Christian church’s right to punish those it considered guilty, granted around 800 AD, by Scharan Peroumal or Ayyan Atikal, the Travancore Raja who resided at Cranganor [Kodungalloor], and written down by “the second king Tama”, in part at the temple of Vaikom [south west of Cochin on the road to Kottayam], and in part at the palace of Iringalakkuda [close to Kodungalloor, north of Cochin].  

According to Anquetil, these privileges granted by the Kodungalloor Raja were received in writing by an Armenian merchant (of the Syrian Christian Church), named Thomas Knaye around 800 AD, to the sound of  drums, trumpets and gunshots.  Although the authenticity of the text of these privileges is not quite certain,  it is what Anquetil claims was communicated to him by the Syrian Christian clergy of the Cochin area in January 1758. [Voyage en Inde, (1771), 1997, p.222-225.].

Tracing an ancient trading route - KERALA - The Hindu

Tracing an ancient trading route - KERALA - The Hindu

Vellalas from South as Maritime Traders

In ancient China, during the Spring and Autumn Period (722 BC–481 BC), large rectangular-based barge-like ships with layered decks and cabins with ramparts acted as floating fortresses on wide rivers and lakes. These were called 'castle ships' ('lou chuan'), yet there were 4 other ship types known in that period, including a ramming vessel. During the short-lived Qin Dynasty (221 BC-207 BC) the Chinese sailed south into the South China Sea during their invasion of Annam, modern Vietnam.

During the Han Dynasty (202 BC–220 AD), a ship with a stern-mounted steering rudder along with masts and sails was innovated, known as the junk in Western terminology. The Chinese had been sailing through the Indian Ocean since the 2nd century BC, with their travels to Kanchipuram in India.

The spice trade refers to the trade between historical civilizations in Asia, Northeast Africa and Europe. Spices such as cinnamon, cassia, cardamom, ginger, pepper, and turmeric were known, and used for commerce, in the Eastern World well into antiquity. Opium was also imported. These spices found their way into the Middle East before the beginning of the Christian Era, where the true sources of these spices was withheld by the traders, and associated with fantastic tales. Prehistoric writings and stone age carvings of neolithic age obtained indicates that India's South West Coast path, especially Kerala had established itself as a major spice trade centre from as early as 3000 B.C, which marks the beginning of Spice Trade (History of Kerala) and is still referred to as the land of spices or as the Spice Garden of India.
he Portuguese colonial settlements saw traders such as the Gujarati banias, South Indian Chettis, Syrian Christians, Chinese from Fujian province, and Arabs from Aden involved in the spice trade.

Tharisa pally Copper Plate is purely a Vellala cheppedu

Dr. M.G.S Narayanan states that Sreemolavsam PALLY which received free land   from king Vikramadithya  Varaguna as per Parthivapuram Copper Plate deed of C.E 829,Thazhekkaavu PALLY, Kinaloor PALLY, Alathoor PALLY, Thirumannoor PALLY which received lands from Kings during 9,10 & 11 centuries were all JAIN Pallys or Jain TEMPLES.

Then why   MGS   accepted without doubt like others, that the PALLY in Kurakeni Kollam (THARISA PALY) is a CHRISTIAN CHURCH?

All the PALLYs in Venadu during those period   were JAIN TEMPLES-Jain PALLYs. There was no CHURCH at all in Venad .

The unbelievable, incomplete   History (a mystery)

MGS Narayanan states the history of Tharisapply Copper Plates in his famous Perumals of Kerala, Cosmo Books Trichur 2013 p78

For the history of these plates, see TA.S 11, 1, pp60-62. The Syrian Christian bishop of Angamaly deposited them with the Portuguese at the beginning

Of the   16^th century .With the surrender of cochin by the Portuguese to the Dutch , and later by the Dutch to the English, they also changed the hands.They were traced 

By Col. Macaulay ,British resident in Travancore ,in 1806,and handed over to the Kottayam seminary of Syrian Christians. During the disputes between the  two sections

Only 4 out of 6 plates were traced by Gopinatha Rao in 1916 and published with new translation and note

But how the plates reached the hands of   Angamaly Bishop

It is statedthat there were 6 plates. The present description is that there are only 5 plates with writings only on 9 sides only. The facing sideof 1^st plate shows no writing

.But the back sideof 5^th plate contains writing. Then why there is no writing on facing side of 1^st plate? What happened to the 6th plate?

Who will  answers?

www.849ce.org.uk

Gopinatha Rao hides the publication of the text in 1844 by Gundert in Madras Journal of Literature and Science X111,!,p 118

Dr.S. N. Sadasivan in his Social History   of India narrates the story how the Kottayam Bishop prompted Col Macaulay to search the plates.

He informed that the plates were given by the King for their ”  St. Theresa Church in Kochi”.

But how the Angamaly Bishop got the Plates?

That is a fable.

Actually the Plates were with Dariya   Chettys of Kollam. They kept them in Thevalakara   Jain Pally. Later Thevalakara  jain  pally was converted to Siva Temple 

by Brahmins and the plate remained in the temple. During the looting by notorious Portuguese robber   Manuel de Faria e Sousa (CE 1590-1649)

Tharisa pally Copper Plate is purely a Vellala cheppedu and was neither Syrian ,Christian or Kottayam cheppedu.

All the three ruling kings of the Chera, the Chola and thePadya were Vellalas (see T.Pazhaini Social changes among Vellalas of Nachinad ,Pen Books 2003 p 27)

So Sthanu Revi Emperor(as per Christian Historians)  or King(as per MGS) who ruled during CE 849 was a Vellala ruler.

King (as per Christian Historians), Governor (as per MGS Narayan etc)  Ayyan Atikal was a Vellala petti ruler( See K.Kanakasabai Pillai Tamils eighteen hundred years ago

Asian Educational Services N.Delhi 1997 p 116 Soranadu Kunjan Pillai, Vellaras of Kerala in  Sahyadri SanukkalileSamskarika pazhama ,Anjali Publishers 1986 P

The land donated to Tharisapplly by Ayyan Atikal belonged to Vellalas (poomikku karalar Vellalar)

Four families of Vellalas were donated along with the land for farming ,rearing cattle ,keeping accounts and registers ,measuring lands and writing documents on palmyra leaves with styles and also for supplying 

and buying groceries and agricultural products ( according to Edgar  Thurston& K. Rengachary, Castes and Tribes of South India Vol 7 pp 361-389 Vellala swere landlords,tenents, shepherds ,clerks, accountants, shop keepers ,weavers   and also farmers ,Palmyra writers  ).

The legal document was prepared by Sundaran the Vellala document writer.

All the 17 witnesses( See Hyacinte Anquitel Perron Zend Avesta Paris 1771 pp 1776-177)in the group testimonial’s were Vellala merchants

So the Kurakeni Kollam Copper plate is actually a  VELLALA Cheppedu and nota  Christian, Sriyan or Kottayam Cheppedu 

Vellalar- are they only farm workers?

Vellalar- are they only farm workers?

Kesavan Veluthattu while translating the text in Tharisapally copper plates of CE489 for the   UK study group of  www.849ce.org.uk , translated Vellalar as “ farm workers”

Let us discuss whether it is an apt translation. Are they only mere farm workers?

“Tolkappiyam the ancient Tamil grammar, refers to four castes with distinct professions , the Arivar-men of knowledge who later came to be known as Brahmin, the ULAVAR thosewho plough the land later became the Vellalas”

According to the classical work, Silappadikaram, there was    a rudimentary hierarchial order  of social groups in which Ulavar , also called Vellalas, were assigned the first place. Ilanko Adugal, the author of Silapapdikaram said that farmers were responsible for the triumph of the king and wellbeing of the poor. There were two classes off farmers, The Vellala tenants and the Vellala landlords.

….The Vellala had the prerogative of making marital alliance with the royal household

…. The Vellalas ruled as powerful chieftains throughout the Sangam Times and the kings of the three ruling houses ,the Chola ,the Pandya and the Chera who themselves were Vellalas. The great kings like Karikala Ch ola and Cheran  Shenkuttavan married the daughter of Nankur Vel and Alumbil Vel respectively who were Vellalas.

(T .R. Seshaiyar, Dravidian Indi a Vol 1 p.178.)

The duties of the higher strata of Vellalas turned to Vedic learning, making sacrificial rites,giving alms, cultivating land, carrying on trade and tending cattles,while those of lower strata of V ellalasturned to giving alma,cultivating lands ,tending cattles ,carrying on trades and service to others excepting the study of Vedas.(Ibid p.179)

According to Manimekalai the word Vellala was interpreted as ”benevolence”(helping others)

Marshal (Mohenjo-Daro and Indus Civilization) says that Velal means man of Trident .Velan (Murukan or Subramanian  )is the god of Vellalas (H. Heras, Vellalas in Mohenjo-Daro The Indian Historical Quarterly Vol X1V, Calcutta pp245-255

 (T .Pazhani his Doctoral Thesis , Social change among Vellalas of Nanchinad , Pen Books 2003 p 26

In The Tamils eighteen hundred years ago Mr.V.Kanakasabhai Pillai writes that the  Farmers occupied the highest position .They   formed the nobility or the landed aristocracy of the country. They were also called Vellalar,” lords of the flood” or “karalar”, lords of the clouds,titles expressive of their skill in controlling floods, and in storing water for agricultural purposes.The Chera,Chola and Pandyan Kings an d most of their petty chiefs of Tamilakam belonged to the tribe of Vellalas.

Edgar Thurston& K .Rangachary <Castes and Tribes of South India Vol 7,Asian Educational services, N. Delhi 1993 p 368

In the Madras Census Report 1891Vellala is recorded as a caste ofJaines (Ibid p 389)

References

1. Edgar Thurston& K.Rengachary <Castes and Tribe sof South India Vol 7 Asian Educational services,N.Delhi

2. Kankasabhai Pillai V The Tamils Eighteen Hundred years Ago Asian Educational Services N.Delhi

1997

3.Pazani T.Dr, Social Change among Vellalas of Nanchinad Pen Books 1st Edn 2003

Bio data of Dr.Kanam Sankara Pillai

                            Biodata of Dr.Kanam Sankara Pillai

Dr.Kanam Sankara Pillai @ Dr.K.A.Sankara Pillai, MBBS (1968), DGO,(1978),MS(1983) ,well known Surgeon, Obstetrician & Gynecologist of Kerala, India, prefers himself to be called as Heath Educator of  Malayalees. Anil Mangalam , Editor, Manorama Arogyam (Formerly that of  Arogyam) describes Dr. Kanam as the” Father of Medical Journalism in Malayalam”.

Kotchukanjirappara  Ayyappan  Pillai Sankara Pillai (Mony) was born on 27^th July 1944 (12 Karkitakom 1119, star Chithira), as the second child of his parents in Kanam  kara of Kangazha Muri in Changanassery  Taluk of Kottayam Dist in Kerala, India. His fore- fathers belonged to   Saiva Vellala, Farmer-Surveyor-Accountant community migrated from Kumbakonam in Tamilnadu, about 300 years back and Settled in Thazhathangady-  Thali, in ancient Thekkumkoor. His great great grand father settled in Thundathi l In Vazhoor about 150 years back and his grand   father Chollathu Sankara Pillai purchased the 500 acre Hamlet Kanam for 70 vellipanams from Kudaluvally Nampoothiri,120 years back.

Sankara Pillai was the second child of Kalappurayidathil  Sankara Pillai Ayyappan Pillai (1911-2013) and Smty  Kalloor Raman Pillai Thankamma (1915-1956) of Elampally , Anickadu, Kottayam. Mr. K.S .Ayyappan Pillai  was a good farmer. Dr.Kanam’s eldest sister, Late K.A.Parukkutty Amma was Head Mistress of Netaji High School, Pramadom, Pathanamthitta .He has two younger sisters, K.A.Rajamma and K.A.Sarojini  Amma ,both are  housewives.

Dr.Sankara Pillai had his Primary education from Shanmukha Vilasam  LPS ,Kanam, which was founded by his uncle, Shanmukhavilasom  Arumukham Pillai in 1935. He remembers M.N. Sankara Pillai of Manimanglam , the HM of the LPS as one of his mentors who promoted  his reading habitat the age of 7, by supplying  weeklies like Mathruboomi ,regularly. As a result Dr.Sankara Pillai published his first short story  , an adaptation from Hindi text book of his elder sister ,in Kerala Bhushanam Sunday Supplement  in Adult pages at the age of12 in 1956.

His middle school studies were from CMS school Kanam, where Ms .Sosamma Philip, wife of Novelist Kanam E.J was a teacher .At the age of 12, in 1956 he published the first Manuscript Magazine of CMS Middle School, ”Bala Rasmi”, in which he introduced Cartoonist Nathan (Later Er. K.Somanathan Nair).For the 3^rd Forum Public Examination in 1957, he got second rank in Kottayam Educational District. For this achievement he got Pezhamattom Bankers’ award (Rs.20/- year for 3 years).This award was a boost for his studies. High School Study was at SVRV HS, Theerthapadapuram Vazhoor  .Mahopadhyaya Kaviyoor Sivarama Pillai(Malayalam Teacher)  promoted his writing capabilities and published his articles in School Manuscript Magazine. For the SSLC examination in 1960 he got 510 marks out of 600 and this was school record for about 30 years. During High School studies he got prices for almost all literary competitions  and got famous literary works in Malayalam as prizes .He  passed Madhyama exam of Dakshina Hindi Prajar Sabha with 3^rd Rank.

Dr.Kanam had his Pre University Study from CMS College, Kottayam (1960-61).He published his study on Auto biographies in Malayalam (  Aathamakatha Sahithyam malayalathil)                              in 1961 Vol of Vidya Samgraha the well known, prestigious College Magazine of CMS College

He passed PUC with high first Class, which qualified him for admission in both Medical and Engineering Courses in Kerala. He chose Medical Corse in newly started Kottayam Medical College (3^rd college started in1961).

He had his one year Pre-Professional training from S.B. College ,Changanasery(1961-62). Even though he got admission in Govt .Medical College Kottayam, he had to attend classes for the first six months in Govt. Medical Collge, Trivandrum, where Dr.M.Thanga Velu was the Principal. Dr.Kanam got his MBBS degree from Kerala University in 1967.He underwent one year House Surgeoncy in Dist cum Medical College Hospital, Kottayam. For six months he worked as Junior Doctor in Philip Memorial Hospital, Mavelikara. On the Xmas day in 1968 he joined at Primaray Health Centre. Mundan kunnu  of Pampady NES Block as Assistant Surgeon.

In 1970 he was transferred to Dist cum Medical College Hospital Kottayam, where   he worked as Assistant to Dr. V.Thomas, the Surgeon. In 1972 he was transferred to PHC,Erumely of Kanjirappally NES Block. During this period he organised number of Medical camps and got the Best PHC Medical Officer award from then Health Ministser   N.K.Balakrishnan (1976).During this period he took life Membership of Kerala Sasthra  Sahithay Parishath and started mass Health Education Programmes in Malayalam. He wrote health education articles in most of the Periodicals, then available in Malayalam.During this period he got interest in Rubber planation. In 1976 he joined for DGO Course (first batch)in Kottayam Medical College .After that he worked in THQ Hospital, Vaikam as the first Obstetrician and Gynecologist of that institution. He worked there for

3years,During this period he managed lot of complicated and   rare Ggynec  and maternity cases.

One of the rare cases was an alive extra uterine (Broad Ligament) pregnancy, reported in JIMA(1982.)The girl grown outside her mothers womb  is now 36 years and has 3 children. Many a cases were published in Medical Journals. For a short  time he worked in THQ Hospital, Palai after which he joined Trivandrum Medical College for MS (General Surgery )Courese .After passing MSin 1983, he worked for some time in W&amp; C Hospital,Thycaud and then in THQ Hospital,Cherthal.Then he worked in General Hospital, Pathanam thitta,District  Hospital

,Kozhencherry and in THQ Hospital, Mavelikara. For 4 months he was the Acting Superintendent of THQ Hospital,Mavelikara. During this tenure he renovated the ancient Maharajas Ward in record time of 4 months with the help of then MLA, M.Murali and Ommen Chandy, then Finance Minister.

Shortly after the renovation he was transferred to Ramamangalam Rural Dispensary, Haripadu, by the initiative of NDP Party Leadership .As a protest, he took long leave and joined Archana, a budding Private Hospital in Pandalam. With in a short period of five years he developed it to a well known major Multi Speciality Hospita lwhich got recognition for starting a Medical College (During the Ministry of A.K.Antony). Following some irritating action from the managemen , t he left the hospital and joined the nearby Christian Medical Centre. In 1999 July he rejoined in KHS a d retied on 30^th  July 1999 as Dpty DHS. Again he worked for 5 years in CM Hospital and after that he returned to his native District Kottayam and worked in KVMS Hospital , TMM Hospital ,Santhi Nikethan Hospital, Erumely Medica l Centre and High Range Hospital Parathodu. Now he stopped surgical works and is doing  Consultation only service in Sri Hari Clinic Ponkunnam and takes Family Life Education Classes

For Higher Secondary  Schools in Kottayam District.

Dr. Kanam was Columnist in various   weeklies, fortnightlies and magazines in Malayalam and used to discuss  various health problems of Malayalees. He started his popular health education articles in Vijnana Kairaly Magazine of Kerala Bhaksha  Instiute in early 1970’s.Then he started in Doctor answers column in Janayugam weekly of Kollam. He published lot of articles especially on Sexually transmitted diseses, family planning ,sterility, alcoholism, scabies ,rabies,drug addictions etc

He had columns in Malayala Nadu(Kollam).Mana Sasthram(Trivandrum),Kutumba Jeevitham(Trivandrum,)Vanitha (Kottayam),Manglam(Kottayam), Grihalakshmi(Calicut) etc.

During 1970-1790 his health education article series appeared in most of the  Sunday editions of various news papers in Malayalam .His articles appeared in about 50 Souvenirs. He was a regular  speaker for AIR Trivandrum for 25 years(Total50 topics).He had published 10 books in Malayalam

1. Petta Thullalum Kshethra Puraavriththangalum (1976)

2.Mangkamarute Prasnagal (NBS 1978)

3.Pennayi Pirannaa l(Prabhath1984)

4.Rogangal ,Rogikal (Prabhath 1986)

5. Kaumara Parsnangal(Prabhath 1990)

6.Rogikal sradhikuka (Prabhath 1991)

7.Aids Keralathil (Current 1996)

8. Seelangal, Rogangal(Naveeka Books 2005)

9. Ammayakan Orungmpol  (NBS 2012)

10 .Kanam  Desathinte Katha (2014)

The idea of  first Mini Magazine in Malayalam, distributed with Kanyaka Fortnightly of Mangalam Publications,was conceived and designed by Dr. Kanam, along with late N.P.Gopinath,Editor of Kanyaka. He had edited the Rotary Path ,Magazine of Rotary Club of Pathanamthitta and also the Golden Jubilee Souvenir  of C.M. Hospital, Pandalam for which he wrote the history of Modern Medical Practice in Central Travancore. He was District Secretary and President of  KGMOA, Kottayam and also IMA ,Pathanamthitta .H e edited IMA Path, the Year Book of IMA Pathanamthitta in 1984.

He was the Charter Vice President of Lions Club of Vaikom and President of Lions Club of Pandalam. He was the Founder Chairman of Holistic Foundation of Pandalam.

He is the Founder Chief Co Coordinator of PonFarm (Ponkunnam Farmers’ Club)with 200 odd members which promote Zero Budget Natural Farming .

Dr.Kanam is active in various social medias for the last 19 years. His articles first appeared in number of expage web pages, Tripod and worldpress. Now he is active in blogger(50 odd blogs on various topics) ,facebook,twitter,koottam etc. He takes health education classes invarious colleges,higher secondary schools, churches, clubs etc with power point slideshows.

He had visited UK and Singapore. Stayed in UK for 2 months in 2008,2 months in 2009 and for 4 months in 2013.
He had the rare fortune  of redsicovering the lost Venadu group testimonials of 17 Vellala Merchnats in Tharisappally Copper Plates of CE849.He presented a papeer about this 17 Venadu Witnesses of Thrisappaly Cheppedu inthe 3rd International Seminra  of Kerala HistoricalConference on27 th November in his almamter CMS College, Kottayam.

Dr.Kanam is married to P.R.Santhamma @ Santha Sanka,r youngest daughter of Late Punnamparambil Ramakrishna Pillai of Ponkunnam .She is a graduate in Political Science(NSS College,Changanacherry and is a planter .

His 103 old father.S.Ayyappan Pillai (1910-2013) died in April 2013.

He is living in Neelakanda  Nilayam(old name Thaliyanil,Punnamparmbil  and Santha was born in this ancient heritage house built in 1940) in KVMS Road,Ponkunnam