Name Palakunnel Valiyachan | ||
Palakunnel Valiyachan (പാലാകുന്നെൽ മത്തായി മരിയം കത്തനാർ) ܡܲܬܝܼ ܡܲܪܝܼܝܲܡ ܟܲܫܝܼܫܲ was a social and religious leader among the St. Thomas Christians in Kerala. His full name was Palakunnel Mathai Mariyam. He was born in the small village of Koothrapally in Kottayam district. His father Etticheriya belonged to the aristocratic family of Pakalomattom. His mother Mariyam, from another aristocratic Pallikaavil family from Niranam. He was born on 20 February 1831. He was mammodiza (baptised) at Mar Yohannan Mamdana Church, Nedumkunnam. At the age of 13, he went to Mannanam Monastery to begin his seminary education under the guidance of Chavara Mar Quriakose Ealias. He became a priest on 2 July 1855. He had his own view regarding the independence of St. Thomas Christians. Valiyachan died on 20 April 1900. His body is buried in Marth Mariyam Church in Koothrapally.
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Social reform
Valiyachan fought for un-touchability among Kerala society in the middle of the 18th century. He gave mammodiza to many Shudras and enriched them spiritually and physically. He started primary education in the hilly areas of Koothrapally and Kangirapally. He promoted women's education. He was the first person who promoted road development in the hilly area of Koothrapally.
Literature
He was multilingual. He was called the Golden Tongue of the Church of Mar Thoma Shleeha, therefor he was called the John Chrysostom of India. He was the author of the Nalagamam of Palakunnel Valiyachan. He could easily handle Malayalam, English, Syriac and Tamil.