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Chooriappan kulam story

Chooriappan kulam stor
Water source was a major criterion when men started looking for suitable sites for settlement. Even animals and birds migrate to areas close to water bodies. Most of the large human civilizations has developed on the bank of mighty rivers.
It was therefore natural for the Tamil brahmins who migrated to Kerala to settle on the bank of rivers .They dug ponds where rivers were not available.
Here is the story of Chooriappan kulam, in perinkulam, as told by Ambi, my BIL when we met recently in Vancouver. In fact some one from one of our groups had asked me the name of the person who dug that pond. I could not answer then and floated his inquiry to my friends .None replied.
Opposite to the Navaneetha Krishna swamy temple in south Perinkulam, there was one Bhaskara Iyer, who was called Pakkumama. I knew him and his family. They helped us a lot for the wedding of my first sister, which took place in the mantapam in front of the temple, shown above. That was some 50 years ago and it is her husband who told me this story. Pakkumama’s  great  grandfather was Suryanarayana Iyer, known as Choori appan in the village. He had a long cherished desire to dig a pond for the usage of the villagers.
Chooriappan mama saved a small amount from his meager income and preserved the money in three cloth bundles in a safe place in his house, which only his wife knew. One night a group of thieves entered his house and asked him to part with everything he had. Mama looked at his wife’s face and replied that he had nothing with him, and even for his daily food he was depending on the temple, just opposite to his house. Mami mistook what her husband told the thieves. Obviously she would have becomes nervous seeing three or four thugs, who bolted from the blue, midnight.
“Entha sanchi eduthukkinduvarunum, -which bundle should I bring ?” The Innocent woman asked her husband.
‘Ellathaem konduvanthu tholai- Bring all the bundles, you damn woman!” Mama thundered out of understandable vexation.
Mami brought all the three small bundles and placed before her husband.
What an innocent woman, she was!
Chooriappan mama told the thieves, ‘ I swear by the God, watching our action sitting there, just opposite. This is my life savings and I have been partially starving to save this amount which is meant for digging a pond for the villagers. It is for a good purpose and if you doubt my words, take these bundles straight away but start digging the pond tomorrow .
“If you still disbelieve me and my Krishnaswamy,” mama cursed, ” neenghal nasamai povael- you will perish”
The thieves did not touch the money, but believe my words, came next day in a group and dug the pond.!
So next time when you take bath in a village pond , remember those good souls like Chooriappan mama, who had struggled to construct a basic facility for the co- dwellers.
And also, remember the hands which planted the banyan tree in your village corner, which gives you shade while waiting for a bus, in the hot sun or poring rain.
While passing through villages, I used to observe, Chooriappan kulam story.
From my blog.
Water source was a major criterion when men started looking for suitable sites for settlement. Even animals and birds migrate to areas close to water bodies. Most of the large human civilizations has developed on the bank of mighty rivers.
It was therefore natural for the Tamil brahmins who migrated to Kerala to settle on the bank of rivers .They dug ponds where rivers were not available.
Here is the story of Chooriappan kulam, in perinkulam, as told by Ambi, my BIL when we met recently in Vancouver. In fact some one from one of our groups had asked me the name of the person who dug that pond. I could not answer then and floated his inquiry to my friends .None replied.
Opposite to the Navaneetha Krishna swamy temple in south Perinkulam, there was one Bhaskara Iyer, who was called Pakkumama. I knew him and his family. They helped us a lot for the wedding of my first sister, which took place in the mantapam in front of the temple, shown above. That was some 50 years ago and it is her husband who told me this story. Pakkumama’s father was Suryanarayana Iyer, known as Choori appan in the village. He had a long cherished desire to dig a pond for the usage of the villagers.
Chooriappan mama saved a small amount from his meager income and preserved the money in three cloth bundles in a safe place in his house, which only his wife knew. One night a group of thieves entered his house and asked him to part with everything he had. Mama looked at his wife’s face and replied that he had nothing with him, and even for his daily food he was depending on the temple, just opposite to his house. Mami mistook what her husband told the thieves. Obviously she would have becomes nervous seeing three or four thugs, who bolted from the blue, midnight.
“Entha sanchi eduthukkinduvarunum, -which bundle should I bring ?” The Innocent woman asked her husband.
‘Ellathaem konduvanthu tholai- Bring all the bundles, you damn woman!” Mama thundered out of understandable vexation.
Mami brought all the three small bundles and placed before her husband.
What an innocent woman, she was!
Chooriappan mama told the thieves, ‘ I swear by the God, watching our action sitting there, just opposite. This is my life savings and I have been partially starving to save this amount which is meant for digging a pond for the villagers. It is for a good purpose and if you doubt my words, take these bundles straight away but start digging the pond tomorrow .
“If you still disbelieve me and my Krishnaswamy,” mama cursed, ” neenghal nasamai povael- you will perish”
The thieves did not touch the money, but believe my words, came next day in a group and dug the pond.!
So next time when you take bath in a village pond , remember those good souls like Chooriappan mama, who had struggled to construct a basic facility for the co- dwellers.
And also, the hands which planted the banyan tree in the village corner, which gives you shade while waiting for a bus, in the hot sun or poring rain ., head- load- relievers, on the road side, granite platforms supported by two granite pillars.
What a relief for those who carry heavy loads on their head! And, big granite tubs to store water for animals and birds!
Simple acts, by people who nourished great thoughts!

5 thoughts on “Chooriappan kulam story

  1. My native place is perinkulam as well. My great grandfather was called Bhaskar also fondly called as ochapatta and our ancestral house was also opposite to Krishnan Koil. Is this story true?

    1. Anusha,
      More than from one person, I have heard this story. Your thatha is known to me.He used to come to our Olavakkode house. Where are you now?
      sperinkulam

      1. I am from Mumbai but now in UK for my studies. My grandfather’s name is Krishnamani. I don’t know whether you know him.

        1. Anusha,
          Tell me from which village was he from and his nick name. Everyone in the village is better known by his nick name.
          Love, Siva

          1. He was from tekke gramam only. His house was also opposite to the temple. The person who dug the suryappan kulam is our relation. my great grandfather dug the bhaskaran kulam. My grandfather was called Krishnamani only and my grabdfather’s younger brother’s name is Narayanan.

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