- Muttar
-
Muttar — village — Coordinates 9°26′0″N 76°32′20″E / 9.433333°N 76.53889°ECoordinates: 9°26′0″N 76°32′20″E / 9.433333°N 76.53889°E Country India State Kerala District(s) Alappuzha Population 9,864 (2001[update]) Time zone IST (UTC+05:30) Muttar is located in the beautiful scenic environment of upper Kuttanad, Alapuzha District in Kerala, 10 km west of Changanacherry, on the Kidangara Chakulathukavu road, surrounded by Thalavady, Neerettupuram, Kunnamkary, Chathamkary & Mithrakary. Muttar being the rice bowl of Kuttanadu is blessed with all the gifts of nature, and the River Manimala on the East with a canopy of coconut trees and paddy plantations make this village a peaceful home of stay. Muttar is such an exotic place in Kuttanad where paddy is cultivated about 5 ft below sea level. The oldest worship place in Muttar is the Kochukodungalloor Temple on the Northwest side of Muttar.
There are 3 Parish Churches in this small village as the people of Muttar, mostly syromalabar Catholics belong to old and traditional Catholic families and are basically God fearing and hardworking.Muttar is renowned for its communal harmony and peace. The Govt. UP school and St. George Higher Secondary School which are more than 75 years old are the places of wisdom which were instrumental in making the beautiful Muttar village one of the first villages with 100% literacy in Alapuzha District.
One of the oldest families is Cheeramvelil.The ancestry of the Cheeramvelil family can be traced back by a few centuries. Pakalomattom, a Brahmin family of Kodungalloor was converted to Christianity by the Apostle Saint Thomas in the first century AD. They fled Kodungalloor in the 4th century and eventually settled down in Kuravilangadu. According to oral history of the family, the ancestors of the family had moved from this place to Muttar, now falling in the Alleppey District and settled on either side of the river Manimala by AD 1530. The family has grown in size and numbers over the period. As per records right now there are 251 families spread not only in Muttar and nearby places but in various other states and even abroad.
Muttar is also home to the aristocratic Srampickal family having its ancient roots in the Pakalomattom Mahakudumbam. The ancestors of Srampickal migrated centuries ago to Kuttanadu from Kuruvilangad. It is the largest family in Muttar with over 30 branches and sub branches in over 500 families.Through Gods grace,the wings of the family have spread throughout Kuttanad, Kerala and abroad. The St George parish church in Muttar, a massive shrine on the banks of the river Manimala was built in the year 1850 by the Srampickal family. The Pulincunnu branch of Srampickal also played a pivotal role in the renovation of the Pulincunnu forane church. Branches of the family are also present at Pallithode in Cherthala, Alapuzha. The Pallithode church was once known as Srampickal church as the land for the church and its premises was donated by the family. Branches of Srampickal are also present at Chullickal in Cochin where a road has been named Srampickal Road after the family.
Another old Christian family is Kodickal whose head had been brought from Kodungallur for lighting the lamp at the temple. Now the Kodickal family has a distinct branch called MANALIL.
Other notable families are Chempilakth,Madathil, Pulickikalam, Valamparampil, Chamaparampil,Attupuram, Plavelil and Chirayapparampu. The Pulickikalam family built the St.Thomas church( Kumaranchira pally) in Muttar.
As early as 1895, there was a move to establish a monastery of the CMI Congregation at Muttar. But, it was not realized then. In 1911, Fr.Ephrem Srampickal took up the case. But he died in 1924 without completing the project.His nephew Fr.Thomas Srampickal followed up the case in 1935. Mr Chacko Eapen Mepratthuserril donated for the purpose 2 acres of his property on which a 2 storied building was constructed and the Immaculate Conception Monastery was established in 1938. In 1942, it was declared a canonical house. The monastery chapel was made a parish church in 1998.
Another Old family in Muttar is Vedicattu family. Basically this family started by Mr. Vishnu Namputhiri of Marassery Illam. He has converted to Christianity from St Thomas at Kokkamangalam, on the bank of Vembanadu back waters on AD56. This family migrated to Chembu and further moved to Vennikulam. The family name Vedicattil first opened at Vennikulam. Later one branch moved and settled at Muttar between 350 to 400 years before. Vedicattu family members are less and more over most of them were moved out from Muttar for the education and job. Ref " [1]
References
- ^ Vedicattil Kudumbacharithram" written by Mr.M.T.Thomas B>A.,B.Ed.,Kachirackal, Mundilapunkal, Thellioor P O.Pathanamthitta Dist.Kerala.
Categories:- Villages in Alappuzha district
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
