KaliyankalEzhumaliKudumbam is one of the most ancient Christian families in Kerala. The early history of this family is believed to have been captured from 
from ancient scripts/languages such as Nanam, moonam and Sanskrit as also from rare ‘’Thaliyolas” (manuscripts on palm leaves) and legends, traditions and narrations passed on from generation to generation. Driven by the strong desire, dedication and attepts of the family members, a Family History of KaliyankalEzhumaliKudumbam was published in 1987 which contains more than 750 constituent families and over 4000 members.The charity trust was registered in 1975. According to Kerala government charity trust Act.
It is widely believed that St. Thomas, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ landed in Kerala in AD 52 at Kodungallore (Maliyankara) port. A group of Jews were known to have inhabited in Kochi and Kudungallore that time. He preached Gospel to the local masses and moved to the township of Palayoor.
In Palayoor, St. Thomas met a few Hindu scholars in a river performing ‘Jaladharpan’ (a post-bathe ritual of throwing palm-full of water upwards) and was curious to
to know the meaning of this act. St. Thomas introduced himself as a disciple of Lord Jesus Christ – the son of God. Then he stepped into the river and threw handful of water up which remained in the air making the scholars surprised and intimidated. The Apostle thereafter performed many wonders in the name of Jesus Christ like curing sick instantly and absolving many from possession of evil spirits and so on. A number of people believed in his words and became Christians. Among the 32 Brahmin families so converted by St. Thomas 4 elite families viz. , Pakalomattom, Sankarapuri, Kalli and Kallikavu (Kaliyangal) were entrusted with the task of priesthood. Through his continued evangelical activities, many more people got attracted to Christian faith and St. Thomas built 7 churches at different places such as, Kodungallore, Palayoor, Kottakkavu, Kokkamangalam, Niranam, Nilackal and Kollam and an uncompleted church at Thiruvithancode, commonly known as “ Arapalli ”. Ancient Christians were generally known as “Nasranies/Syrians/Mappilas.
The original illams of Kaliyangal, Pakalomattom, Sankarapuri and Kalli were situated not so far from the Palayoor church. The site where Kaliyangal Illam was situated is still there and is referred in Government revenue records under Survey No. 156/27 as “ Palliparambu “.
Early Christians of Palayoor had to face many odds such as oppression and humiliation from their fellow Brahmins. This situation prompted them to migrate to other places. A small section of people belonging to the above mentioned four families fled to southern region and reached Angamali and further to Ettumanoor. They met the temple administrators and prayed for allowing them to settle down within their territory. Realising that the refugees are converted Christians, the jealous temple authorities sent them to a horrible forest area said to be the abode of ferocious and cruel spirits. When the Nasranis met the temple authorities next morning, quite unhurt, they could not believe their eyes and at the same time developed great respect and regard to them and happily allowed the four families to settle down in Kuravilangad.
These early Christians maintained their old family names in Kuravilangad also. There are Government records and other evidences in support of this (Details of Survey No. given in the History Book). It is believed that the four families from Palayoor settled down in Kuravalangad either by the end of 2nd or the beginning of 3rd century AD. By the time of construction of Kuravilangad church in 4th century AD, members of the four ancient families scattered and settled in places like Elakkattukara, Kalikavil, Kadappur, and Kuravilangad.
The four families of ancient Christians who came from Palayoor to Kuravilangad had multiplied many folds. However, the milestones in the history of Kerala Christian, viz., “Udayamperoor Soonahadose” in 1599 and “ Koonan Kurisu Sathyam” in 1653 had created many differences among the Christian community leading to crisis and legal battles and diversification. Today, after 2000 years, millions of descendents of Kaliyankal family representing branches and sub-branches are scattered all over the world.
Through western side of the house belonging to Kalikavu Illam, there was a passage towards the Marth Mariam Church yard. The last male member of that house passed away issueless and later the house was inherited by Pattani family, the descendents of Kaliyankal. Offspring’s of Kalikavu Illam is spread out in different branches such as, NaykanMadom, panamattom, Edattu, Thottapra, kezhackayil, Pothiyittil, Pulikkal etc.
Our Great Grandfather, PerumalPithavu was born in Kalikavu House, near Martha Mariam Church, Kuravilangad. As explained above, due to the rift developed
between “Puthenkoor” and” Pazhayakoor” sections there used to have frequent migration of people to the southern parts of the State. In the process, Perumal Pithav along with some members of the other 3 families reached Chengannur and requested “ Vanjipuzha Thampuran” the local ruler of Chengannur for allowing them to settle down at a place under his control. Realising that the people approached him were learned and well trained in martial art, the ruler granted them places for settlement in Chengannur and thereafter, to a more fertile place in Koipuram at the instance of ‘’ Perumeth Aassaan’’ a friend and associate of the ruler. Perumal Pithavu constructed a house on a plot called Ezhumali Purayidam. This plot continues to remain in the very same name and is now in the possession of Nakkarethu Chirambathu unit of Kalangadath family.
With the consent and blessings of Vanjipuzha Thampuran, Perumal Pithavu started a trading business and set up a ‘Kalari’ for imparting martial training to ‘Savarna’ youth of neighbouring areas. He trained them extensively in martial art and Perumeth Aassan used to provide such trained men to the military wing of Vanjipuzha Thampuran. Apart from Kalari being a centre for physical and martial fitness, it also served the society as a source of various branches of education and know-how prevalent that time. In terms of education, Kalaries, therefore, were considered very important, only next to Vedic schools of Brahmins. Later, anticipating possible threat from locals, British rulers banned Kalaries for martial arts and Ezhumali Kalari remained very famous in Central Travancore region till 1875 AD.
Perumal Pithavu along with members of associate families used to participate in the “ Ettunombu” service and prayers at the Kuravilangad Marth Mariam Church every year. Also, they used to perform “ Pitrutharpan” (oblations for departed souls) at Kuravilangad. During such occasions, family members from Koipuram called on their relatives and acquaintances in Kuravilangad which helped to refresh and revive mutual love and affection. It is pertinent to mention here that Chevalier V C George, a member of our early family, Vadakkekara used to visit members of Ezhumali family in Koipuram anf Kadapra and joined in group meetings/ prayers and exchanged love and affection on many occasions. His son Rev. Fr. Joseph Vadakkekara and Advt. Varkey Pattani have also participated in Ezhumali Kudumbayogam. The family name Plulikkalkuzhiyil is extracted from the root family “Pulikkal” – a branch of Kaliyankal.
By the 3rd Generation, members of EzhumaliKudumbamhave been branched in to the following families.:
1.Pulickakuzhiyil
2.Kaliyankal (Kalangadathu)
3.Pulipreth
4.Padipurathu
The family maintained excellent growth rate and in the 5th Generation, further branching took place with 14 families:
5.Marangattu
6.Kuttiyil
7.Padinjarepoika
8.Padinjaremuri
9.Neerumplackal
10.Kizhakepoika
11.Perumappodathu (Mattackal)
12.Kalangadathu
13.Pulipreth, Nellickal
14.Pulipreth, Kallissery
15.Pulipreth, Vechuchira
16.Pulipreth, Kulathupuzha
17.Padippurathu
The tempo of family growth continued to maintain remarkable pace and by the 9th Generation, the following families were added to the KaliyankalEzhumali Family tree.
18. Malemarangattu
19. Mylanilkunnathil
20. Thaiparampil
21. Charivukalayil
22. Chirayil
23. Manakulangara
24. Nadukkothil
25. Palanilkunnathil
26. Padinjarothil
27. Thaduthukalayil
28. Vellakala Vadakkothil
29. Manakalayil
30. Varickaplamoottil
31. Vadakkel