Kottayil – Melpadom
Kunjchacko Tharakan is one among the brothers of Iype Tharakan of Alappat family at Kuravilangad. Kottayil property was part of his inheritance. In that property on the southern shore of the river Pampa at Malpadom in Veeyapuram village of the Karthikappally Taluk , he set up a house, holding the name Kottayil. He married a girl from Vazhayil family in Kunnamkari near Kidangara.
Kunjchacko Tharakan had 6 sons and 2 daughters. The youngest son Avira died young. The eldest daughter Achamma was sent in marriage to Puthenpurayil, Melpadom and the second daughter Mariyamma to Kanjipuzheth at Chengnnur. IruppoottyTharakan, the eldest son of Kunjchacko Tharakan shifted to Kottayil Padinjarethil, the second son to Vallakalil at Pavukara, the third son Yohannachan to Puthenveettil, the fourth son Mathachan to Puthenveettil Kizhakethil, the fifth son Mathai Kathanar to Kottayil at Niranom and settled down. Since the son of Mathai Kathanar shifted to Kottayil, Melapadom, that house is also known as Niranathepurackal. As on date, the Kottayil Kudmbayogam consists of 150 families.
Priesthood is kept hereditary for the Kottayil family. The Mathai Kathanar settled downwith his family, east to the Niranom Church. His youngest son Bahanan Kathanar was a Dayara priest (Celebate). He offered his first Holy Qurbana at the Niranom Church translating the Thaksa from Syriac to Malayalam. He died at an age of 38 and was buried inside the Niranom Church. Both Patteripurackal Mathan Kathanar and Kaithaparmpil Achan (Kouth Thoma Kathanar), the grandson of Puthenveettil Yohannachan held the position as Vicar of the Niranom Church. Kodumulayil ThonduparampilT. V. Philipose Cor Episcopa who had been the Secretary of the Sleebadasa Samooham and Kottayil K.G. Mathai Kassisa who was the Asistant Vicar of the Parumala Seminary Church also belong the Kottayil family
IruppoottyTharakan had married Elachiyamma, the sister of Cheppat Bishop Mar DionasiusChacko, the eldest son of Vallakalil Chacko and his eldest son Kochuchacko were the trustees of the Niranom Church.
The School that Kaithaparampil Achan had established in Malayalam Era 1054, on his property is the present M. T. L. P. School, Melpadom. This same family established the Melpadom St. Kuriakose Church on the banks of the Pampa River. Kottayil family members have established a Marthomite Church and also a Brothren Church. Kottayil family had piloted the development of the Mannar – Veeyapuram Road. Present Kerala Chief Minister Sri. Oommen Chandy and his grandfather Ex- MLC V. J. Oommen belong to the Vallakali branch of Kottayil family.
