Pampakottu Kudumbam
Pampakottu is a prominent Mar Thoma Suriyani (Syrian) Christian family of Uthimoodu in Pathanamthitta district. It is a branch of the ancient Pakalomattom Mahakudumbam and shares the legacy of the renowned Pakalomattom Tharavadu Palli.[1]
History
In 1313, Nilackal was destroyed in a civil war between Veera Pandyan and Sundara Pandyan with the participation of Malik Kafur’s muslim army. They attacked and plundered temples, churches, and houses that existed since ancient times. Given this situation, members of the Pakalomattom family migrated to the Travancore plains.
In 1484 the Travancore King issued an edict giving monopoly right for trade to Pakalomattom family members in Travancore. Mahapillai means Merchant, which later shortened to Mappilai became a term used to denote Christians in South Kerala.
Twelve families from the Pakalomattom tharavadu migrated to Kozhencherry early in the 16th century as an aftermath of the Koonen Kurish Satyam (Coonan Cross Oath). This marked the beginning of the illustrious Pakalomattom Vadakkantedathu Mahakudumbam.[2] A few hundred years later, Pampakottu Thomas Mathai and brothers moved towards the East in search of new agricultural spaces and opportunities; eventually becoming pioneers in developing Uthimoodu as a livable village. Uthimoodu town which celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2014, is now the second largest business center in Ranni panchayat.
The Pampakottu family also played a significant role alongside Mannil and Korattikkara to establish the Uthimoodu Mar Thoma church which is a major religious center in the region best known for the annual Olivu Mala (Olive Mount) convention.
Occupation
The earliest known occupations practised were agriculture and trade mainly involving rubber followed by plantation of coconuts, pepper, tapioca, betel nuts and cocoa. With the advent of modernization and increased focus on education post 1970's, people ventured into other professional careers and businesses. Over the last few decades, several members of the Pampakottu family have migrated to other parts of the country and the world while a few of them continue to live on the Ranni-Pathanmthitta belt actively participating in regional affairs.
Legacy
Owing to its Syrian Christian heritage, Pampakottu is one among the earliest families of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church and has made significant contributions in the activities of the church.