A GLANCE AT THE HISTORY OF THE FAMILY NAMED
AMBAT HOUSE
1. According to history, Vasco De Gama, the Portuguese navigator arrived at Kappad, Calicut on the shores of Kerala in 1498. Gama was accompanied by many companion navigators and some Xtian missionaries. Though their main objective was to engage in trade and business with the eastern countries, propagation of Xtian faith was their other main task as deputed by the King of Portugal.
2. Later on, the Portuguese with the consent of the local princely rulers built a number of churches in and around Cochin, the first one being the Mount Carmel Church at Chathiath in 1673. The present city of Ernalkulam / Cochin was not prominent during those days neither in development nor in trade. Motor transport was a subsequent development as seen in the history. Water transport was the main mode of transport during those days. Kerala is blessed with more than 44 rivers and people were using these rivers for easiest transportation. Portuguese missionaries gradually identified and located the island of Varapuzha, popularly later came to be known in the Church history as Verapoly is located on the banks of the river Periyar. River Periyar originates in the western ghats and flows down the plains and merges with Vembanatt backwaters and finally reaches the Arabian sea. It provided natural water transport facility in the central part of Kerala, also providing connectivity to other parts of Kerala.
3. The Portuguese missionaries who initiated the evangelization of the State, identified the island of Varapuzha as a nice place to put up their headquarters and thus constructed the magnificent St. Joseph,s monastery and church in 1673. Later on this church was taken over by the Discalced Carmelites missionaries. The mode of construction was so magnificent during those days with much attractive edifices and a fort like structure to house the church bells. It is learnt that the church bells put up in the Church were brought from Portugal. Legend says that one of the bells brought from Portugal got drowned in the river Periyar while down loading from the water carrier and it used to sound from the depth of water even today when the main festival procession starts.
4. During those days Mannanam near Kottayam was another Christian centre in the central part of Kerala. It is learnt that there were regular water transportation between Varapuzha and Mannanam. The European missionaries who were then popularly known as 'mooppachans', literally meaning 'big fathers', used to travel between Mannanam and Varapuzha by country boats rowed by an array of people. These country boats were tied with small church bells to ring in tune with the towing. The presence of the ceremonial bell differentiates these boats from other country travel boats. It was the time when thieves were prominent in high waters targeting the travelers. But thieves were scared of the boats carrying the moopachans. It was the belief of the people that mooppachans' displeasure will affect the wrong doers with serious consequences. Legend again goes that during one Sunday some people were thatching the roof of a house. During the local visit one mooppachan noticed this act and enquired about the work that is being done against the Sunday observation. The people engaged could not give satisfactory explanation for the act and it is said the thatched house was automatically set on fire before the mooppachan reached the parochial house, the residence of the then priests. Hence the ordinary people were holding the mooppachans in high esteem.
5. Due to the evolution and emergence of ecclesiastical set up in the island of Varapuzha, Christian faithful from near and far slowly started migrating to adjacent islands of Varapuzha, a prominent group being the fore fathers of Ambat family. The Kadamakudy island in the District of Ernakulam is a group of small islands scattered in the backwaters of river Periyar. Prominent among them are Chennur, Pizhala, Kothad, Moolampilly and Kadamakudy. East of Kadamakudy islands is the main land Cheranellur and west the Vypeen Islands, south the main land Chittoor and Ernakulam and at the north mainland Paravur.
6. The fore fathers of Ambat family were residing at the then prominent main land Ernakulam on the banks of Vembanatt backwaters facing Arabian Sea and the present Cochin port. The then fore fathers were land lords with lots of paddy and coconut cultivation in and around Ernakulam. An island known as 'korungotta' situated in between the Chathiath main land and Mulavukad Island was mainly owned and cultivated by the fore fathers. Due to consistent and continuous flooding of river Periyar, the island got eroded and presently the island is non existent.
7. The Ambat families living in the above mentioned Chennur consists of a few streams and the fore father of Mathunny Ambat, the father of Michael Ambat and grand father of Adv. Antony M. Ambat, belongs to the ‘naduvil Ambat’ stream, meaning the ‘middle’ Ambat. The nomenclature might have been due to the positioning of the particular family in the middle position. Late Michael Ambat is married to Mrs Anna Vailiparambil of Cheranellore who have been blessed with five sons and a daughter. Sons being M/s Augustine, Paily, Joseph, Gabriel and Antony. The daughter Mary though got married died issue less. Mr. Antony M.Ambat is the youngest son of Late Michael Ambat and is a practicing advocate in the High Court of Kerala. Mr. Antony is married to Mrs Mary Vattappillil, daughter of Mrs Thressia Muttathully Madathil of Cheranellore and V.P.Varghese Vattappillil of Thottakattukara, Aluva. Adv. Antony M. Ambat has been a renowned social activist, writer and organizer who has been holding National and State offices of various Church and secular organizations. Mr Ambat is blessed with two sons and a daughter. Sons being Ajith Ambat and Anil Ambat and the daughter Anu Jerald.
Mr. Ajith Ambat, an HR executive with a reputed firm in UAE is married to MCA holder Imelda Josy, daughter of Mrs Daffny Koodarappilly of Vyttila and Mr. Josy Pulikkal, an industrialist settled in Palluruthy, Cochin and the couple is blessed with two year old son Jayden Ambat.
Mr.Anil Ambat, an IT professional with a reputed firm in Ireland is married to B.Tech holder Regi Rajan daughter of Mrs.Mary Muttikkal of Thoyakkavu Thrissur and Mr. Rajan @ Varkey Joseph Palathingal, a businessman settled in Nadathara, Thrissur and the couple is blessed with four year old daughter Annmary Anil.
The daughter Anu Antony, a PG holder, is married to Jerald Jolly son of retired teacher Mrs. Liza Padamadan of Mathilakam and Mr. Jolly Vazhakoottathil, a technician turned political activist settled in Kara, Kodungallur. Mr. Jerald is an Engineer with reputed Airlines based in Mumbai. The couple is blessed with two year old twin daughters, Jyotsna Jerald and Aleena Jerald.
8. The other streams popularly known among the groups are the fair skinned, the brown skinned and moderate skinned. The great grand father of Mathunny Ambat belonged to the naduvil stream again denoting the middle position. The other prominent stream consists of the descendants of great grand father Ambat Mathai Mathakutty who is the father of Joy Ambat, a social activist staying presently in Cheranellore, and direct grand father of late Adv. George Eden, the renowned politician and former Member of Indian Parliament. The present Ernakulam M.L.A and President of National Students’ Union Hybi Eden is the son of late George Eden. Yet another stream is the great grand fathers of Fr. Jude Ambat s.d.P. member of the Missionary Servants of the Poor, the Cusmanoo Fathers Congregation, presently serving the Diocese of Punalur near Trivandrum.
9. The fore fathers of the present Ambat family at Chennur had been owning and running the local primary school, the only one of its kind in the island of Chennur, Manager being Achambava Ambat. During those days it was the duty of the Manager to pay the teachers. The system of direct payment by the State Government came much later. The then Manager Achambava Ambat found it difficult to maintain the school and offered to donate the establishment to the local parish St. Antony’s Church. The Church authorities accepted the offer and later named the School after late Archbishop of Verapoly Most Rev Dr. Angel Mary and the School came to be known as Angel Mary Memorial Lower Primary School ( AMMLP) School, Chennur.
10. Families with Ambat surname are seen in various Christian sects namely Syrian Christians of Edappally in the Ernakulam District and Changanassery in the Kottayam District. The former Union Minister A.C.George and former Mayor of Cochin A.C.Jose belong to the Ambat family of Edappally. The Ambat family name is also seen among Orthodox Christians in Kottayam and among Anglo Indians in Chathiath near Ernakulam. The former Chairman of the then Ernakulam Municipality Peter Correya belonged to Ambat family among Anglo Indians of Chathiath.
11. There are some prominent Nair families with Ambat family name in Cheranellore and Alwaye. A prominent temple known as ‘Ambattukavu’ managed by the Nair community is situated on the National Highway NH 47 near Aluva and the junction is presently known Ambat Kavu. The history and tradition of the said groups are under research. Legend portrays the fact that the abode of Lord Krishna is known as ‘Ambady’ and hence Krishna came to be known as ‘Ambady Krishna’. It must be an interesting subject for family historians to trace out the history of family names in Kerala since the surname denotes tradition and history. |
