Punnasseril

Punnasseril is a famous Thiyya family of northwestern Travancore in a place called Veloor whose lineages comes from Tulunad. The Billawas of Tulunad have a matrimonial relationship with this family. They rose to prominence in the early nineteenth century mainly by business, and some even joined the services of the king. Many are now leaders in various fields.

The family has lot of landed assets in the area starting from Veloor up to and including Muhamma in the other side of Vembanad Lake. There are other families, such as Elampalli, Madappattu, Maliyil, Karukappuram, Pullathra, and Kalathipparambu, who are also closely related to the Punnasseril family by blood or by conjugal relationships.

The surname Chekavar was used by one and only one family in Kochi Northern Travancore area and that is by Chekavars of Punnasseril. The family rose to prominance in the late eighteenth century under the stewardship of Kittan Ittira Chekavar.