The Maramon Kolathu family line winds its way back through centuries, the way back to a time when an Apostle in the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, called Thomas, listened with rapt attention to the words of his Master as he said to his disciples, ‘Go ye to the four corners of the world and make disciples.’
The historical evidences that are available today point out that the Maramon Kolathu family settled down in Maramon (Nedumprayar) region between the 16th and the 18th century. It is a very difficult task to delineate the Kolathu family history of 2000 years as no effort so far has been undertaken in this direction. Since Kerala tradition does not have a system of recording and handing over the details of historical incidents and records, we have to depend on the church history, social history, oral tradition and legends handed down to the generations to distill history out of them. It is believed that the forefathers of the family are the descendants of an aristocratic Syrian family named ‘Kolathu that resided near Niranam. They were well established as Landlords at that time. Their wealth, relationship with royal families in South India and kind behavior to the common people made them a dignified lot.
Their supremacy over the Niranam church was the best example for their dignity. Later they shifted to “ Maramon “ and settled on the Pampa riverbank. Here they used the Malankara house name ' Maramon Kolathu '.Thus they became the doyens of the great Family, which has now spread all over the world. The Kolathu family members belong to the most major Christian denominations viz., Marthoma, Orthodox, St.Thomas Evangelical Church, Jacobite, Roman Catholic, CSI etc. It is the grace of the Almighty God and the blessings of the forefathers that keep this great family and its members well and strong for centuries. It is evident from a lot of historical documents that, the ancestors of kolathu family were landlords, who controlled a large number of tenants. They were broadminded, philanthropist and ardent devotees so they are highly admired by people from all walks of life.
. The modern medical facilities were not common at that time. People mostly depended on Ayurvedic medicine and they regard expert Ayurvedic practitioners (Vaidian) as an avatar of God. Kolathu family is also known as ‘Vaidyan Kudumbam’, as it is well flourished in the number of Vaidyans. There are a lot of stories and myths associated with KolathVaidyans and some are very popular in Travancore. Since the Kerala tradition does not have a system of recording and handing over the historical details, most of the incidents were diluted or erased from memory. Some are presented as legends. The details of some of the famous Vaidyans which are available now are stated below
The known data about Kolathu Thomman Vaidyen dates back to the ancient traditional medical Practitioners. He had lived and treated people in Maramon, Kozhencherry, Ayroor, Ranni, Vadasserikara and Aranmula. Unfortunately, the information regarding the predecessors of Kolathu Thomman Vaidyan is not known.
Kolathu Thomas Vaidyan was the famous son of Kolathu Thomman Vaidyan. Like his father Kolathu Thomas Vaidyan very soon shot into the glare of fame with his godly touch of healing the folks in and around Maramon .
It is also noted in the history of the Church that the Metropolitan from Antioch had mentioned about Kolathu (Joseph) Vaidyan in a letter which he had written to the Malankara church. Also, this generous man gave away land and initiated necessary arrangements for the CMS church to conduct worship services. Interestingly Ouseph Vaidyan was privileged to travel in a Menavu( Palanquin) for rendering treatment, which was in fact the luxury of aristocrats and the members of the royal family then. This benevolent man constructed homes for all the eight people who carried the Menavu. Also quite a few in Maramon received a helping hand toward the construction of their homes. Furthermore, in certain instances he had distributed rice for the needy during the time of harvest season from his own paddy fields. All the above-mentioned deeds were indeed a pointer towards his greatness and generosity.
Once, Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan happened to consult Vayaskara Moos for treatment. After his listening to the ailments, Moos said: “when Kolathu Mahavaidyan is there, should I treat you? You might rather go to him”.
It is also worth to note down the fact that Kolathu Vaidyan was one among the two who were privileged to sit and worship in the Madbaha. The other was a member from the Changayil family.
Another important fact to note is that in the early period of the Maramon Church, there were only two graves in the graveyard of the church closer to the graves of the contemporary Muslim graveyard. One amongst them was of Kolathu Ouseph Vaidyan.
Notably several scholars and practitioners of Ayurveda from various far off places used to stay with Ouseph Vaidyan to learn and to practice under his guidance by adopting the system of Guru Kula.
Puliyelil Thoma Vaidyan, is the son of the great Ouseph Vaidyan. Like his father Puliyelil Thoma Vaidyan’s career as a medical practitioner had shot into fame. Like a majestic king he voyaged in country boats and rode on horsebacks to render his medical care. During his journey 3 to 4 close disciples always accompanied him along with a moneybag career and horsemen. Interestingly people from various places near by thronged to witness his elegant journey apart from being a successful medical practitioner. He was a Sanskrit scholar too. Figures show that he gives alms to poor. He had traveled uptoTrichur for giving treatment. During the Onam season he used to get gifts from people across different religious faiths. He used to receive money for treatment in the form of gold and silver coins.
Once he was returning along with his followers after his practice from a far off place. It was already dusk, when they reached Mavelikkara .As they moved on, they saw a big house with compound walls. He made up his mind to stay there that night. But the security guard prevented him to step-in. Meanwhile he happened to overhear a recitation of sloka in Sanskrit from the house; to which he recited back the next two lines. As he continued to recite, summons came to the security guard to allow the Vaidyan to step in.. To his surprise, he saw the great Sanskrit pundit Koyithampuran, who whole-heartedly welcomed him and allowed to stay there over night. Thereafter, they became thick friends and they retained their friendship through letters.
As per the then Government rules, lands were entrusted to those who were wealthy enough to pay the taxes, as the population was meager. At that juncture the whole of Maramon hills were offered to Thoma Vaidyan., But for the barren land with no yields, he was not interested to pay taxes. Hence, he turned down the offer from the Government.
Being a contemporary to the Metropolitan Titus I, he supported the reformation movements in the Malankara church with all his powers. The two thick friends used to exchange gifts and took part in get- together meetings occasionally. The Metropolitan too had good knowledge of ophthalmologic and medical treatment.
The third son of Kolathu Ouseph Vaidyan. Kalatharayil Joseph Vaidyan was a renowned Vaidyan. He had excelled in both massaging and Marmani treatment. His horse used to bend by its middle when he was on its back as he was an obese person. He used to lift kids using his left hand when the mothers used to take their kids to him for massaging .Alleviation of diseases was cent percent sure when he returned them to their mothers (see- “ Kalatharayilachan “Article written by Rev A.M Abraham).
The fourth son of Kolathu Ouseph Vaidyan.Kunjikka Vaidyan was famous for his Ayurvedic treatment. Residing by VanjithraPerakath house, he treated patients from Kozhenchery, Vadasserikkara, and Ranni, Aranmula, Maramon etc. He treated the inmates of Aranmula palace too.
Being the elder son of Puliyellil Thomas Vaidyan, he resided at Kalluvettamkulam and treated the ailments of people around its outskirts. He was well known through his practice.
One among the few lucky ones to receive English education. In that age P.T Mathai Sir was the second son of Puliyelil Thoma Vaidyan. He completed his schooling from Kottayam C.M.S School. His hobbies were hunting and horse riding. Traditional treatments like tying up fractured bones together was practiced by him and later turned on to teaching when an English medium School was set up at Maramon. He was the head master of Chirayirambu and Nedumprayar schools.
After retiring from his profession as a teacher, he learned homeopathy and practised it for free as pastime. As the patients count burgeoned, he took small amounts to compensate the medicine’s expenditure. Soon his treatment became famous .He resided at the Pullamkandam area. People began to address him as the Pullamkandathil Vaidyan. There was a shortage of good Ayurvedic practitioners then at Maramon’s neighborhood. which made him the sole option for the people.
Better known as Philipose John aka KolathuYohannan and he was famous for his Ayurvedic medical practice in the middle part of Travancore.. He continued his practice staying in Kolathu house at Maramon. Elderly people who are living today bear testimony to his efficient treatment.
Born as the second son of Kunjikka Vaidyan, he tried a hand and brought fame to himself in the Ayurvedic system of treatment.. Moreover, he practsed in Allopathic and Homeopathic sustems.Perakathumannil house was once his residense.
Born as the elder son of Kalathrayil Joseph (Kochukunju), he practisedMarmani treatment under the care of his father .He lived and practised staying in Kalathra.
A legacy to his father Kalathrayil Joseph Vaidyan born in1051 (M.E.) brought further fame to his family. He practisedMarmani medicine under the care of his father in the whole outskirts of Maramon. He later moved to Chirayirambu and Kalluvettamkulam to practise.
The third son of Kochukunju Vaidyan .His father desired him to study medicine and to become a doctor of the family. But he submitted himself to the divine calling. He opted for God’s service and he became a famous priest in the Marthoma church. He labored hard to remove several unchristian practices from the Christian community of the Syrian Christians. At the same time he did not leave aside his lineage on ‘Marmani’ practice along with his priestly vocation. He treated fractures, trauma and other physical ailments.
Born to Kalatharayil Kunjikka Vaidyan. The Marthoma church ordained him with “Kassisapattam” in 1948. He served several churches: Muthukulam, Thrikkunnampuzha, Mundakayam, Nedumpuram, Punalurhome, Edamon, Vilakkumattam,Piravanthor etc. He even used his gifted hand in ‘Marmani treatment’ to alleviate the troubles like fractures, trauma and even paralysis, and thereby earning respect and love from people across the religion divide.
The lone son of the famous Kolathu Yohanan Vaidyan. He pursued his practice in Ayuervedha.He lost his father at the age of 18. He set out his own traditional Ayuervedha practice. His name became renowned in the whole of Travancore within a short span of time . Precise determination of the disease brought more practice to him. The cases which could not be treated by many allopathic doctors were successfully treated by him. In 1980 he passed away. With his death, the Ayurvedic treatment of Kolathu family almost came to an end.
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