The window seen on the right hand side on the 1st floor opens to the room where Kunhikannan Nambiar used to sit and create the dictionary.
From 1953 onwards Shri Kunhikkannan Nambiar stayed in a house called Thappalli, at Thottada, Kannur. It was not his ancestral house, nor constructed by any of his ancestors, but acquired by him as a revolt against family feuds and superstitions. There were many illustrious people living in the house over the years, including the late Krishnan Nambiar who Kunhikkannan Nambiar used to refer with great respect as Kittettan. This Kittettan had once presented himself before the Malabar collector, and got cancelled the collector’s order to make the grounds of the house a shooting practice trench for the British soldiers.
Another famous member of the Pinadathil family was Chathukkutty Vaidyar- the elder brother of Kunhikkannan Nambiar. Chathukkutty Vaidyar was an adept at Ayurveda, a physician renowned throughout the region. His treatment was famous as being simple and inexpensive, and he never expected any money from his patients. He had many disciples, who lived in Thappalli House enjoying free food and lodging. The food was cooked and served by the physician’s sister Kalyani Amma. Teaching was held throughout the day and very often till late in the night. Chathukkutty Vaidyar took special pleasure in giving practical lessons. He often taught while taking a walk, while bathing or even eating food. The disciples had the highest regard for their guru. Chathukkutty Vaidyar knew when he was going to die, predicted it within a few minutes, and asked all those present to chant the name of God, while he himself, with folded hands, did the same.
Thappalli House, in its glory days, was a cultural hub, where several art forms like Kathakali and Ottamthullal were performed regularly.
All the fields around the house were the family’s property and paddy cultivation was in full swing with many men and women working in the fields. All the land in the village was owned by Pinadathil Tharavad, and most of the plots were distributed among the people around. About 40 acres of land were acquired by the government for Abhayanikethan, and an ESI hospital. Thappalli also held a special distinction as the place where quarrels and strife of local people were settled.
Prof. N. Balakrishnan Roshni,
Thottada
May 2016
