For 78-yearold Nalakathu Koyassan Koya, who is an engineer by profession, searching the roots of family has always been the foremost passion. His earnest attempts in documenting the history of the Nalakathu Tharavadu, one of the aristocratic Koya families at Kuttichira, deserves special attention as books on genealogy are quite rare in Malayalam. The recently released book Thekkekadappurathe Jeev i t ham: Athava Avayude Verukal Thedi (Life on Thekkekadappuram: In Search of its Roots), is a journey into the past and present of the Nalakathu family and Kuttichira, the abode of Koyas, a prominent group of Mappilas in Malabar.
Sipping a cup of hot sulaimani at the long corridor of the ancestral house ‘Nalakathu Tharavadu’ near the scenic Kuttichira pond, Koya spoke on his historic endeavours and the social life of the region. “Even as a boy, I was fascinated by the strangeness of my name ‘Koyassan Koya’ that tempted me to find out its origin. A report on Nalakathu Tharavadu by P V Mamukoya, former cheriya quasi of Kozhikode, was the first inspiration to prepare a history of the family. I also came across a register kept by Nalakath Aboobakkar Koya briefing the birth, death and wedding of the family members. The family meet held at Puthiya Nalakam, the tharavadu of the owner of Zain’s Hotel, was yet another impetus,” says Koya.
The book published now is the first of a series on Nalakathu tharavadu. Already the family history has become a hit among the family members who use the details during occasions as weddings to invite their distant kin.
But Koya is slightly disappointed as, nowadays, weddings take place mostly in auditoriums. “Earlier, family members used to gather at the Nalakathu tharavadu on special occasions. But now, many prefer to reach the auditorium directly,” he says.
A man of integrity, Koya says he and his three brothers were totally against dowry system ‘Moodum Panavum’, as dowry was known then.
With much pride, Koya has stated in the book that Zainabi, owner of the Zain’s Hotel and a member of Puthiya Nalakath Maliyekkal Tharavadu, came forward to launch a hotel when even women going out of their homes was considered anti-religious by many.
Though the book does not offer a comprehensive history of the region, it delineates the origins of organisations as the Calicut Muslim Association, Kerala Heart Care Society, CIESCO (Citizen Intellectual Education Social and Cultural Organisation) and the Friday Club, the milestones in the social life of Kuttichira.
Koya has also mentioned about the affairs of Panniyankara Islahi Masjid, Kozhikode Mishkal Mosque, Panniyankara Jumat Masjid and Masjid-us-Salam in his book. The family trees of Nalakam Tharavadu, its branches Ediyanam Veedu and Kamukkantakam Tharavadu are included in the book.
Undoubtedly, Koya’s attempt would be an invaluable source for historians. The most significant aspect of the book is summarised in the words of historian M G S Narayanan who wrote the preface: “Unlike other family histories published so far in Kerala, the writer here did not attempt to create an imaginary history coloured with fairy tales of kings or prophets. This is an apt model that can be followed by other writers.”