Mounting tension in the wake of the pivotal role played by many branches of Thulassery Manapurathu family in the internecine feuds of the region made them seek distant pastures . The privileged social standing   enjoyed by the family in the light of the Chepped  ensured honourable reception  wherever branches of the family transplanted themselves. It remains a sad fact that like the lost tribes of the Jews  some of the descendants of the family have been lost due to lack of knowledge and communication .

 

Major branches and sub branches  of the ThulasseryManapurathu family :

 

Aluvila  

 (Thengumvila)                          --  Meeyannoor

Chirakakathu

(Thekethayil, Oorayil, Kaithakadu, Kalathrayil )--Pandanadu

Kunnil  (Chittazhethu)                -- Edanadu

Manalel

 (Madathil, Thudiyil )                   -- Mannar

Mukkathu                                  -- Chengannur

Pathisseril 

(Kanjirakattu,Kuttiplavil)            --  Adoor

ThulasseryManapurathu    -- PadinjareKallada

Valianethu 

( Koodathinalil)                   -- Aarattupuzha

Valiyavila                           -- Punaloor

Vettikamattom

(Valiyammatom)                 -- Muvattupuzha  ⁴³

 

            If the ‘Mukkathu’ family of Chengannur left owing to niggling conflicts with the west Kallada Karthas ⁴⁴,it was strife with the Kayamkulam Raja that led to the exodus of Vallyanethu family at Arattupuzha ⁴⁵ Thomman Thomman (1580-1640)the founder of the Mukkathu branch was appointed steward (kaaryasthan) of the chief of Vanjipuzha principality⁴⁶ .  The Mukkathu family which established the MukkathuKudumbayogam in 1900 A.D has the  rare distinction of being the only  Syrian Christian family association ( Kudumbayogam ) in Kerala to have conducted 108 annual family general body meetings consecutively ( without a break ever )  since its inception . Counted among the 99 high caste  Hindu families ,the head of the Kunnil family in Edanadu  had the privilege of lighting the traditional  lamp at the Edanad temple festival.⁴⁷The chief of Kizhakkamcherry mana offered all privileges to the Vettikamattom branch in Muvattupuzha on the strength  of the Chepped.⁴⁸The Pathisserril family in Adoor  was specially invited by Kottackakom Unnithan ( the local ruler )of  Adoor to  settle down there. They were to cleanse the oil for pooja performed to rid the Kottackakom Unnithan family of some malevolence. It was divined by a Hindu priest that only a member of an aristocratic Christian family   could perform the function⁴⁹  .The Manelel branch in Mannar display their  proud heirlooms of gold ‘kadalikula’, palanquin ,sword   and buckler as symbols of authority and tradition.⁵⁰ Chirackakom family which traces its prosperity to the largesse they received of Mithramadom and Ambakad chiefs, prize their ThulasseryManapurathu lineage.⁵¹

   The ‘avalnercha’ celebrated by the Mukkathu kudumbam every Maundy Thursday  at Chengannur old Syrian church  has gone on for 350 years  stretching back to history when untouchability remained a sordid feature of society .This divine offering started by a mother belonging to the family had a great spiritual and social impact – the ‘aval’ was given  to all the devotees without distinction of  caste and religion.⁵²

   Another charitable activity reflecting the family’s  social commitment is Mar Anthrayos Memorial Ashram and Welfare home ,which recorded significant growth during the time of Mathai Kathanar , the 24^th priest on the ThulasseryManapurathu family  line. More than a 100 destitutes were looked after at a time. Unfortunately this institution has ceased to function. The yield from one of family land holdings – the100 acre field – was set apart for meeting the expenses of the ashram and church affairs.⁵³ The produce from this same land was also used for providing ‘ vechoottu’, food for  devotees from as far as Ernakulam who attended Mar Anthrayos Bava’s ‘Sraadhaperunal’ every year for the past 320 years at the MarthaMariyam church ,Kallada which bears the mortal remains of Mar Anthrayos Bava. Since the handing over of the church to Orthodox church this ‘Sraadhaperunal’ has been conducted by the church .⁵⁴

   The title of ‘muthalali’ which the ThulasseryManapurathu family was privileged to bear  was retained by branches like Aluvila(Ayoor),Valiyavila(Punaloor),Mathirampalli. Most of the other family branches have given up the title over the years .⁵⁵

            Though the age old Manapurathu Marthamariyam church and ThulasseryManapurathu family have succumbed  to the ravages of time ,the 320 year old two story mansion  near the church chiselled to perfection in wood still stands out as a monument of aristocratic and artistic  handiwork.⁵⁶

   Tradition has it that mighty sailing boats –pathemaari- of the ThulasseryManapurathu family docked at the very gates of the store house built adjacent to their tharavadu. Records show that leading traders of this family maintained trade relations with foreign countries right from 9^th century to the advent of British. Their contacts with  port towns like Kollam, Alapuzha, and Kodungalur are also documented. Oral tradition has it that big barges laid with  hill produce ,copra and coir products belonging to the family sailing through the rivers  and canals were indeed a sight to see!

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