Lasting Legacy of a well-lived life: Alinte Kannimel Keevarchan
Keevarchan, the sixth-generation descendent of Nackolakal Kochummumen who founded the family in AD 1725, keeps the family legacy alive through his noblest deeds.
Many people in Cheriyanad remember August 30, 1968, as black Friday. That day, Cheriyanad lost one of its illustrious sons, Keevarchan (A O Varghese) — the sixth-generation descendent of Nackolakal Kochummumen. On August 30, Keevarchan breathed his last at the age of 78, leaving the entire village with a trail of tears. The village witnessed an outpouring of grief over the passing away of their beloved mentor who left an indelible mark on their lives. In elegiac lilts of mourning notes, even the monsoon clouds bared their soul!
Keevarchan, Alinte Kannimel Kochummumen and Achy’s (from Ayikollil, Kunneth family, Valanjavattom, Thiruvalla) second son, was born in the year 1890 (exact date not known). Apart from four sons, the couple had two daughters. Their first daughter was married in to Kurudamannil family, Ayiroor, Thiruvalla. Jacob Punnoose IPS, who was the Director General of Police of Kerala, and the State Police Chief (retired on August 31, 2012) is her grandson. Their second daughter was married in to Kovoor family, Thiruvalla.
Keevarchan hails from a family of landowners. Besides the vast land property bestowed by the erstwhile king of Kayamkulam, Keevarchan’s great-great-grandfather (Nackolakal Thomman Oommumman) in his own capacity amassed large areas of land and properties. With his inheritance, Keevarchan lived a princely life. He had a lot of servants and dependents at his beck and call, and commanded great respect in the society. It is said that any day, there would be over 100 agricultural laborers tending his farm.
After completing his studies, to become a well-rounded person, Alinte Kannimel Kochummumen sent Keevarchan to a friend’s tea estate where he worked as an estate superintendent. This helped him in getting a better understanding of life. It shaped his approach towards life and significantly contributed to his overall development. And that helped him in playing a leadership role in the society.
Helping people with their problems
An early riser, Keevarchan had a well-laid out morning routine. His youngest daughter, Ramani (82) reminisces about her father spending an hour or so with God every morning immediately after getting up. On his knees, he sought God’s face. This precious time with God impacted him mightily and prepared him to face the challenges of the day. Usually, from his prayer room he would go to the waiting crowd who had come to see him carrying petitions of all sorts, like mediation for resolving disputes, financial support, and the like. A people person, Keevarchan always had time for people. He heard their grievances, occasionally sipping his favourite cuppa. This would usually go up until 11 am. He ensured that everyone who came to him returned with a smile.
Promoting quality education
Knowing fully well the value and importance of education and the role it plays in shaping individuals and societies, Keevarchan put all efforts to promote quality education. Having seen that there was no access to proper education in Cheriyanad, leaving children vulnerable and disadvantaged, he teamed up with other influential people in persuading the government to start a school. And as a result, the government started a primary school — Cheriyanad JBGS (established in 1920).
Further, as there were no facilities for secondary education in Cheriyanad, his abounding passion to see every girl child getting an opportunity to study spurred him to start a secondary school in Cheriyanad. Thus, Sree Vijayeswari Girls High School (SVGHS) was started in the year 1953. The school provided an inclusive, supportive environment for girls in and around Cheriyanad to realize their full potential and become responsible citizens. Education was free, and all expenses for running the school was borne by Keevarchan himself. The flame that Keevarchan lit has become a conflagration and is a beacon of hope and learning for children living in Cheriyanad and its far-flung suburbs. Innumerable families will vouch for the head start the school has given to their daughters, and how their lives changed as a result.
Getting a chapel built in Cheriyanad
It bothered Keevarchan that the believers in Cheriyanad had to travel almost 3 km to Puliyoor every time to attend Sunday worship service and other spiritual get-togethers. He felt the need to have a chapel in Cheriyanad, and took the first step and played a key role in acquiring land and constructing a chapel. In the heart of Cheriyanad, the chapel stands as a testimony to Keevarchan’s vision and determination. More than anything, the chapel was his preferred place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and spend time in prayer. Old-timers recollect Keevarchan spending his evenings in the chapel, praying alone for hours.
In getting the chapel built, he was echoing his grandfather’s social and spiritual commitment, and reinforced his ancestors’ spiritual values. His grandfather, Alinte Kannimel Oommumman, was foremost among the founding fathers of Puliyoor St Thomas Mar Thoma Church.
Alinte Kannimel Oommumman was a close friend of Kesava Karnavar, who belonged to Marunoor family, Edavancadu. On Alinte Kannimel Oommumman’s request, Kesava Karnavar donated 40 cents of land for the construction of Puliyoor St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church in 1896. However, Kesava Karnavar registered the gift deed in the name of Alinte Kannimel Oommumman and two others — Mr Geevarghese, Thazhvanamalayil, Puliyoor, and Mr Mathunni, Keralavakkayil, Ala.
Keevarchan was primarily responsible for the growth of Christianity in Cheriyanad. For evangelizing the local population and firming up the faith of the existing believers, he used to bring preachers from far and wide, and provide them free board and lodging at his house. While they returned, he exhibited God’s love by showering them with gifts. Keevarchan was the pride of the Cheriyanad Christian community, and their strength too.
These initiatives unveil the heart of a humanitarian and social reformer who stood for equity and social justice — a person who embraced a higher cause.
Keevarchan, who valued family ties and kinship dearly, was well-loved by all members of the larger Nackolakal family. Elders in the family used to consult with him before finalizing marriage alliances. Especially, his approval was deemed necessary for taking all important decisions in their families. As the family head, he was there at all family functions — be it baptism, wedding, burial, or cottage prayer meeting — managing everything to the hilt.
A towering personality, Keevarchan was an integral part of Cheriyanad’s social, cultural, and spiritual landscape. The local authorities used to consult him in all matters of administration. A great source of pride and inspiration, Keevarchan truly left an imprint on the people of Cheriyanad. His actions keep his memory alive.
On August 30, when the curtain fell on his life, people whose lives he touched mourned. At Alinte Kannimel, where his body was kept for relatives and public to pay their last respects, an overwhelming crowd wept silently, paid homage and bid farewell to their guide and mentor. A silent bouquet of tears was all Cheriyanad could offer him. And he was laid to rest with his forefathers at Puliyoor St Thomas Mar Thoma Church cemetery.
Keevarchan’s family
Keevarchan married Mariamma from Aviyottu family (Aviyottu Karingottu Puthen Purayil), Kottarakkara. The couple was blessed with four children — two sons and two daughters:
- Baby (A V Oommen), their eldest son, married Amminikutty from Molakal family, Alappuzha. He worked in a tea estate in Malaysia for over 20 years before returning to Cheriyanad.
- Kunjukunj (A G Mathew), their youngest son married Mariamma from Venat Kalathil Puthenpurackal family, Kurichy, Kottayam. After a brief stint in the Indian Armed Forces, Kunjukunj returned to Cheriyanad, where, following in the footsteps of his father, served the people for over 20 years as a member of Cheriyanad gram panchayat.
- Annamma, their eldest daughter was married to Baby from Thumbolil, Kangazha, Changanacherry.
- Thankamma, their youngest daughter was married to Unnuni from Perukat family, Pallippad, Karthikappally.
After Mariamma died succumbing to pneumonia, Keevarchan married Chechamma, daughter of Punnoose Korah, Venat Kalathil Puthenpurackal family, Kurichy, Kottayam. The couple was blessed with five children — two sons and three daughters:
- Rajan (Dr A V Varghese), their eldest son, an MA first rank holder from Madras Christian College and a PhD from an American university, married Bai, daughter of K A Mathew, Kalathil family, Thiruvalla. His teaching profession that started in Mar Thoma College, Thiruvalla, continued in the US. He served as Vice Chancellor of Kerala University from July 1981 to January 1983.
- Joykutty (A V Kuriakose), their youngest son married Santhamma, daughter of C K Koshy, Chenathara family, Thiruvalla. Joykutty retired from MSM College, Kayamkulam, after many years of service.
- Kunjukunjamma, their eldest daughter, was married to M J Varghese, Mullasseril family, Pandanadu, Chengannur.
- Alice, their second daughter is married to T T Easow, Valiyakalayil family, Kuriannoor, Thiruvalla.
- Ramani, their youngest daughter is married to L George, Venparambil family, Niranam, Thiruvalla. Ramani, with her children, is settled in the US.
Keevarchan lived every moment of his life driven by the conviction that it was God who has authored his life and directed his footsteps. His deeds were motivated entirely by the love of God he experienced. And he lived the best version of himself every day. People who have seen him at close quarters would bear testimony to that.
Moses tells the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments” (Deuteronomy 7:9). We believe, we are kept safe in the vicissitudes of life and are blessed because of the love of our forefathers for God. Our God is faithful!
Source: Thritegtha, Nackolakal Kudumbayogam Smaranika (Malayalam), published by Nackolakal Kudumbayogam, in September 2001
