Valiathan
Encyclopedia
Valiathan is the surname used by members of certain families that are all part of a single original Tharavad and was a title corresponding to Unnithan
. This latter title, originally known as Thankal, was conferred by the Rajah of Kayamkulam
on Nair
nobles of his state. In the 18th century it was Marthanda Varma
of Travancore
who conferred the title of Valiya Thankal (Senior Thankal) on the Vattaparambil family which was reduced to Valiathan. Correspondingly the other Thankals came to be known as Unni Thankals (Junior Thankals) or Unnithans.
The Vattaparambil family was originally based at Kayamkulam
and served the Kayamkulam Rajah in various capacities as ministers, commanders etc. Also several princes of the Kayamkulam family had married ladies from this family. Sometime in the late 17th century due to some disaffection the Vattaparambil Thankals left Kayamkulam with a band of loyal Nairs and moved to a place called Keerikkadu. They constructed a fortress at this place and also, thus, came to be known as the Kottakkakathu family (Kotta in Malayalam means fort).
In the early 18th century Travancore
was troubled by internal rife and the authority of the King was challenged by the Ettuveetil Pillamar
. These nobles were opposed to an adoption made by the ruler in 1718 and out of fear for her life, the princess (who was the adopted sister of Marthanda Varma
), was living in exile at Harippad with her four year old son (who grew up to be Dharma Raja
). Although she was a member of the Travancore Royal Family
, the princess was often pressed for money and resources. The senior most lady of the Vattaparambil family appeared to support the princess and her son and it was the little prince who first referred to her as Valiyamma (which was the term used to address one's mother's elder sister). Since then the senior most female of the Vattaparambil family was known as the Vataparambil Valiyamma.
In the year 1728 the princess received news that the Ettuveetil Pillamar
had despatched a band of soldiers to assassinate her and the little prince. She decided to seek refuge with the Vanjipuzha Thampuran, the Brahmin
Rajah of Chengannur
, where she would be safe. In coordination with the princess's husband, the Kilimanoor Koil Thampuran
, the Valiyamma provided an escort until Chengannur. She personally travelled with the princess and her presence of mind and the bravery of the Koil Thampuran helped save the lives of the princess and her son when they were ambushed at Budhanoor.
Years later in 1746 when the war between Travancore and Kayamkulam was at its height, Marthanda Varma sought the support of the Vattaparambil Thankals which was readily granted. The Kayamkulam Rajah was defeated and fled to Calicut but his officers continued with the battle and the son of the Vattaparambil Valiyamma was killed in battle. The story goes that Marthanda Varma himself came to Keerikkadu to console the Valiyamma and assured her that he would be like a son to her. The younger female members of the family thereafter were addressed with the title of Amma (mother) instead of the usual title of Kunjamma. The male members were addressed henceforward as Valiathans.
The Vattaparambil family had a sole female member in 1825. In 1859 she, being childless, with the permission of Maharani Gowri Parvati Bayi adopted the six members of the Thottathil Unnithan family of Pandalam
. Three of these were women of whom one remained at Pandalam. The second lady went to Keerikkadu and settled therein. The third lady married the Rajah of Thiruvalla and settled there. These three families formed the three branches of the Vattaparambil family and are all known as Valiathans. The Valiyamma who had adopted them died in 1884 and the original lineage of the Vattaparambil family ended. However a record from 1883 shows the importance the family possessed more than a century after Marthanda Varma
's times. The Valiyamma of Vattaparambil had made a representation to Maharajah Visakham Thirunal
who issued an order as below:
Unnithan
Unnithan is the modern form of the older title of Thankal . Unnithans were among the highest of the Nair aristocracy in the Travancore region of the Indian state of Kerala. Unnithan ladies of the Edassery Pattaveettil family were often married by the Rajahs or princes of the royal families such...
. This latter title, originally known as Thankal, was conferred by the Rajah of Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam is a town and a municipality in Alappuzha district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an ancient maritime trading centre. One of the largest power plants in Kerala, run by the NTPC, is located in Kayamkulam. Krishnapuram Palace is located nearby and an old cashew factory.Kayamkulam is...
on Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
nobles of his state. In the 18th century it was Marthanda Varma
Marthanda Varma
Marthanda Varma , was the founder of the Indian Hindu feudal kingdom of Travancore from Venad SwaroopamHe ruled from 1729 till his death in 1758, having succeeded his maternal uncle Dharma Raja.King Marthanda Varma is usually credited as the "founder of Kingdom of Travancore" from...
of Travancore
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
who conferred the title of Valiya Thankal (Senior Thankal) on the Vattaparambil family which was reduced to Valiathan. Correspondingly the other Thankals came to be known as Unni Thankals (Junior Thankals) or Unnithans.
The Vattaparambil family was originally based at Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam is a town and a municipality in Alappuzha district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an ancient maritime trading centre. One of the largest power plants in Kerala, run by the NTPC, is located in Kayamkulam. Krishnapuram Palace is located nearby and an old cashew factory.Kayamkulam is...
and served the Kayamkulam Rajah in various capacities as ministers, commanders etc. Also several princes of the Kayamkulam family had married ladies from this family. Sometime in the late 17th century due to some disaffection the Vattaparambil Thankals left Kayamkulam with a band of loyal Nairs and moved to a place called Keerikkadu. They constructed a fortress at this place and also, thus, came to be known as the Kottakkakathu family (Kotta in Malayalam means fort).
In the early 18th century Travancore
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
was troubled by internal rife and the authority of the King was challenged by the Ettuveetil Pillamar
Ettuveetil Pillamar
The Ettuveetil Pillamar were a group of nobles from eight Nair Houses in erstwhile Venad in present day Kerala state, South India. They were associated with the Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram and the Ettara Yogam. They were known by the villages in which they resided and all of them...
. These nobles were opposed to an adoption made by the ruler in 1718 and out of fear for her life, the princess (who was the adopted sister of Marthanda Varma
Marthanda Varma
Marthanda Varma , was the founder of the Indian Hindu feudal kingdom of Travancore from Venad SwaroopamHe ruled from 1729 till his death in 1758, having succeeded his maternal uncle Dharma Raja.King Marthanda Varma is usually credited as the "founder of Kingdom of Travancore" from...
), was living in exile at Harippad with her four year old son (who grew up to be Dharma Raja
Dharma Raja
Dharma Raja Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma was the Maharajah of Travancore from 1758 until his death in 1798. He succeeded his uncle Marthanda Varma, who is credited with the title of "maker of modern Travancore"...
). Although she was a member of the Travancore Royal Family
Travancore Royal Family
The Travancore Royal Family descended from the Venad line of the Cheras and ruled over the Indian state of Travancore until 1947.The Royal family, alternatively known as the Kupaka Royal Family, Thripappur Swaroopam, Venad Swaroopam, Vanchi Swaroopam etc., has its seat today at Trivandrum in...
, the princess was often pressed for money and resources. The senior most lady of the Vattaparambil family appeared to support the princess and her son and it was the little prince who first referred to her as Valiyamma (which was the term used to address one's mother's elder sister). Since then the senior most female of the Vattaparambil family was known as the Vataparambil Valiyamma.
In the year 1728 the princess received news that the Ettuveetil Pillamar
Ettuveetil Pillamar
The Ettuveetil Pillamar were a group of nobles from eight Nair Houses in erstwhile Venad in present day Kerala state, South India. They were associated with the Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram and the Ettara Yogam. They were known by the villages in which they resided and all of them...
had despatched a band of soldiers to assassinate her and the little prince. She decided to seek refuge with the Vanjipuzha Thampuran, the Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
Rajah of Chengannur
Chengannur
Chengannur , is a municipal town in Alappuzha district of the state of Kerala in South India. Chengannur is located in the extreme eastern part of Alappuzha district. It is north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram on the MC Road. Chengannur is connected to Kollam and Kottayam by NH 220...
, where she would be safe. In coordination with the princess's husband, the Kilimanoor Koil Thampuran
Kilimanoor palace
Kilimanoor palace is famous as the birth place of Raja Ravi Varma, the celebrated Indian painter.-The Palace:The Palace complex covers more than six hectares, and comprises the traditional residential structures of Kerala, like the Nalukettu, small and medium sized buildings, two ponds, wells and...
, the Valiyamma provided an escort until Chengannur. She personally travelled with the princess and her presence of mind and the bravery of the Koil Thampuran helped save the lives of the princess and her son when they were ambushed at Budhanoor.
Years later in 1746 when the war between Travancore and Kayamkulam was at its height, Marthanda Varma sought the support of the Vattaparambil Thankals which was readily granted. The Kayamkulam Rajah was defeated and fled to Calicut but his officers continued with the battle and the son of the Vattaparambil Valiyamma was killed in battle. The story goes that Marthanda Varma himself came to Keerikkadu to console the Valiyamma and assured her that he would be like a son to her. The younger female members of the family thereafter were addressed with the title of Amma (mother) instead of the usual title of Kunjamma. The male members were addressed henceforward as Valiathans.
The Vattaparambil family had a sole female member in 1825. In 1859 she, being childless, with the permission of Maharani Gowri Parvati Bayi adopted the six members of the Thottathil Unnithan family of Pandalam
Pandalam
Pandalam is one among the fastest growing towns in Kerala, India. Known far and wide for its legendary connection with Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala, Pandalam is considered to be a holy town...
. Three of these were women of whom one remained at Pandalam. The second lady went to Keerikkadu and settled therein. The third lady married the Rajah of Thiruvalla and settled there. These three families formed the three branches of the Vattaparambil family and are all known as Valiathans. The Valiyamma who had adopted them died in 1884 and the original lineage of the Vattaparambil family ended. However a record from 1883 shows the importance the family possessed more than a century after Marthanda Varma
Marthanda Varma
Marthanda Varma , was the founder of the Indian Hindu feudal kingdom of Travancore from Venad SwaroopamHe ruled from 1729 till his death in 1758, having succeeded his maternal uncle Dharma Raja.King Marthanda Varma is usually credited as the "founder of Kingdom of Travancore" from...
's times. The Valiyamma of Vattaparambil had made a representation to Maharajah Visakham Thirunal
Visakham Thirunal
Visakham Thirunal Rama Varma was the Maharaja of the erstwhile Indian kingdom of Travancore from 1880-1885 AD. He succeeded his elder brother Maharajah Ayilyam Thirunal to the throne of Travancore.-Early life:...
who issued an order as below:
See also
- NairNairNair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
- UnnithanUnnithanUnnithan is the modern form of the older title of Thankal . Unnithans were among the highest of the Nair aristocracy in the Travancore region of the Indian state of Kerala. Unnithan ladies of the Edassery Pattaveettil family were often married by the Rajahs or princes of the royal families such...
- Jati system of Kerala
- V. S. ValiathanV. S. ValiathanV. S. Valiathan was an acclaimed artist and recipient of the prestigious Raja Ravi Varma Award of 2006, instituted by the Kerala Government. He is well known for his classical style of painting. He was considered to be the last link of Raja Ravi Varma tradition. He was the recipient of Chitrakala...
- Dr M S Valiathan F.R.C.S.