The Paruvanany, Paruvanani or Paruvananickal family or simply Paruvanany family is an ancient Suriyani (Syrian) Christian family in Kerala, India. Most Christians in Kerala are known as Syrian Christians in view of the Syriac (classical form of Aramaic) liturgy used in church services since the early days of Christianity in India. They are also known as Nasrani (followers of Jesus the Nazarene). F
amily Origin (Old Name - Vayalakombil):
Our family is said to have originated in the Malabar Early Christian settlement region. It was the Chera Kings' capital. Malyankara, mentioned in the Ramban Pattu, is also on the Kodungalloor coast. The Apostle Thomas came to India In the year 52 AD with Jewish businessmen in Kerala. St. Thomas is believed to have preached among the Jews in their colonies in Kodungalloor. There were Aramaic speaking Jews in the region. Thomas is said to have baptized the ruler of Kodungaloor, his family, and 40 Jews (Bernard, C.F., Mar Thoma Christians). Thomas first preached the gospel and established the first church in Kodungalloor. Kodungalloor was also the location of the first Jewish and Muslim churches. The Jewish copper plates mentioned Muyirikode and Singli, which were also in Kodungalloor. It is unknown when St. Thomas's church in Kodungalloor was destroyed. When the Portuguese arrived in Kerala in the early 16th century, there were three churches in Kodungalloor: St. Thomas, Virgin Mary, and Kuriakose Sahada. It was also a Bishop's residence. One of the churches is thought to have been built by Knayi Thoma. Many people migrated to the surrounding areas after clashes between Arabs and Christians in the 9th century. Christians from Kodungalloor are thought to have migrated to Angamaly, Vazhakulam, Koratty, Kanjoor, and Malayattoor. The number of Christians in Kodungalloor gradually declined. Surprisingly, we will find Tharayil & Karakkattu (Vayalakombil branch) families in Knanaya Community. The Knanaya family branches like Vayala, Valuparambil, Valayil, Vayalil Kalappurackal etc traces its origin to Vayalakombil Family. Vayala Family Branches in Ranni, Kallissery regions in Pathanamthitta districts in Knanaya Jacobite community are originated from Vayalakombil family only. Pannipallil, Mulangasseril, Vilakum Maruthu, Thazhathu Kunnel, Kochu Parambil etc are other branches of Vayalakombil suriyani family. Origin of Family Name:
When our first known Grandparent, Thomman Philipose settled in Mevida region in 17th century, a big Wild Jack tree (Artocarpus hirsutus or ആനി) was there in his agricultural land. The tree was the identity of his home in the neighbourhood in that period. A widespread wild plant known as Paruval ( Pothos scandens or Climibing Aroid or Peruva) with white and yellow flowers and hanging seed was seen in that Wild Jack Tree. Neighbours used to identify great grandfather’s house as Paruval Anickal (House with Wild Jack Tree + Climbing Aroid Plants). Later, this identification of Family house became our known Family Name as Paruvanany. The Paruvanany, Paruvanani or Paruvananickal family or simply Paruvanany are various modifications to this family Name. Denominations:
We are mainly Syrian Christians – Syro Malabar and Syrian Catholic. Syro-Malabar is a prefix coined from the words Syriac as the church employs the East Syriac Rite liturgy, and Malabar which is the historical name for modern Kerala. We shall describe it as "Christian by faith, Indian by culture, and East Syrian/Syriac/Oriental in liturgy." Today, the Syro-Malabar Church finds herself as the second-largest Eastern Catholic Church in the world with over 5.1 million members worldwide. However, in 21st century, inter-community marriages between Christian denominations happened. We identify mainly as Syrian Christians and Roman Catholic Syrian Catholic (RCSC) as denomination. Family Traditions:
Our grand fathers were into Farming and Trading. However, our family was keen into Social Service, Priesthood, Teaching, Business and Administration as careers. Our career choices are mostly related to Teaching, Trade, Farming, Social Service, Military Service, Church Mission in 19th Century. However, family members tend to choose Engineering, Medical, Entrepreneurship, Teaching, Government Service, Legal etc as their careers in 21st century. Our family maintain the culture of Knowledge based upbringing in children. We value education as a top priority among our generation. Families Who Are Close Related:
These families are considered to be our close relatives originating from Great Grandfather’s family tree. Peringalloor Family
Thottuva Family
Parekulam Family
Vadakkemuri Family
Kanjamala Family
Valiyakarottu Family
Chakkani Kunnel Family
Kaipanplackel Family
Kochu Karottu Family
Punnathura Family
Thonakkara Family
Naduvathani Family
Vallompra Puriyidam Family
Moolayil Family
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