Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church -131
Thomas Mathew Kottarathumkuzhy
Thomas Mathew Kottarathumkuzhy is a well-known historian and biographer, born on July 1, 1931, in Edamattam, near Bharananganam. His parents were Thomman and Eli. His ancestry traces back to the noble Arackal Namboothiri family, part of the Aryan lineage that once ruled Vadakkumpara (North Paravur). Over time, this family migrated to Angamaly in the 4th century AD, then to Thazhathangadi in Kottayam, Aruvithura in the 5th century, and finally to Bharananganam before the 10th century. The Arackal family was one of the five that played a pioneering role in establishing the Bharananganam Church. A branch of this family, the Kokkattu lineage, settled in Edamattam, giving rise to the Kottarathumkuzhy family.
Thomas completed his schooling in Amparanirappel and Bharananganam. He later married Mary, a member of the Mevida Naipuram family from the Erakonnil lineage. His elder brother, Fr. Kuruvila Kottarathumkuzhy, was a noted poet. Despite being primarily a farmer, Thomas always made time for literary and scholarly pursuits, which became a defining trait of his life.
Over the years, Thomas Mathew Kottarathumkuzhy wrote more than 500 articles, many of them based on research and biography. His work appeared in major Malayalam publications like Sahithya Parishad Masika, Mathrubhumi Weekly, Malayala Manorama, Kerala Kaumudi, Deepika, Kerala Bhushanam, Deshabandhu, Malabar Mail, Express, Thozhilali, Sathyadeepam, Karmalakusumam, Assissi, Deepanalam, Rubber Masika, AKCC Bulletin, Jayabharatham, and more. Some of his research-focused articles were translated into English and published in international journals.
He was commissioned by the Alphonsa Beatification Tribunal in Bharananganam to compile official biographical information about Saint Alphonsa, which remains a key reference. Thomas also played a major role in documenting the history of Pala town. His article “Pala Through the Centuries” published in Kerala Bhushanam in 1965, and the 1986 article series “The Story of Pala Town at 250 Years” in Deepanalam are recognized as authentic records of the town’s history. He has written for numerous souvenirs associated with Pala and has become a trusted source for researchers from around the world, especially those studying local and church history.
Local newspapers and academics have referred to him as the “Historian of Meenachil Taluk”, and some consider him a walking encyclopedia due to his vast knowledge and memory. Even while engaging in farming, he consistently contributed to literary and social causes. His articles in Deepika, which exposed anti-farmer policies and the struggles of unorganized farmers, led to harassment by tax officials, underscoring his courage and commitment.
Apart from his literary and historical pursuits, he was also active in community development. He played a key role in the construction of many roads and bridges in Edamattam and nearby areas. These contributions sometimes led to his involvement in civil and criminal cases. He served in leadership roles including Council Member of the Pen Humalay Catholic Congress, Executive Committee Member of the Pala Diocese Association, and Secretary of the Bharananganam Branch. He was on the editorial boards of the Pala Diocese’s Silver and Golden Jubilee Souvenirs, and authored the detailed history in the Millennium Souvenir of Bharananganam Church.
He has written several important works, though none have been officially published yet. These include Sculptors of Malayalam, Christmas in History, Malayalam Language and Missionaries, Angels of the Sickroom, Famous Christian Churches in Kerala (in three parts), Indian Saints, The First Global Traveler from Kerala, Saint Alphonsa of Bharananganam, The Story of Pala Town, and Bharananganam Through the Centuries.
Contact Address:
Thomas Mathew Kottarathumkuzhy
Poovathode P.O., Bharananganam
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