Chittappan
An attempt at recapitulating
what our Papa had heard and
learned from his mother
Papa is never tired of speaking about Chittappan,
Appai's unforgettable younger brother,
the Vakkachan Chittappan,
the late
Prof. Varkey C. Panjikaran.
Of the youngest brother of Appai, the late Thommikkunju Chittapan,
who died at the age of 15 or 16 after an attack of pneumonia,
unfotunately we do not have any more trace.
Back to Chittappan:
Why is Papa so loquacious when we talk about Chittapan,
although Papa has no active memory of
having ever seen him?
The answer is simple.
Amma, a great admirer of Chittappan,
was also never tired of talking about her "Vakkachan".
To a great extend Papa's family-pride grew in and through Chittappan.
According to Amma he was the ideal Panjikaran-Gestalt
in whom all that is noble and precious was incorporated.
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This almost 70 years old photo is of immeasurable value to our family!
Marriage of Mr. Varkey C. Panjikaran BA(Hons) with Miss Lucy Alangattu BA,BT
To the great sorrow of all
Chittappan succumbed to cancer at an early age, leaving back in great distress
our Lucy Elayamma and three young children, Ani aunty, Jacob uncle and Unni aunty.
Papa had, during his studies in Trivandrum,
the opportunity to pray for him at his sepulchre
in the Pattoor cemetry near General Hospital, Trivandrum.
Chittappan was Professor of English literature at the University College.
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Elayamma did not give up courage.
She rose up to the new situation and was in a position to secure
a bright future for the three children.
She departed from us to her eternal reward on 11.12.1997.
We remember with pride the welcome Elayamma gave us
together with Jacob uncle and Ruby aunty and their children
in 1986 and 1992 at the Thattil Mansion in Trichur.
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These are fotos from our visit 1992, Basil was only 11 months and Patrick nearing the age of 6.
These fotos of nostalgic value, speak for themselves!
And now the latest we have from Trichur!
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Jacob uncle and Ruby aunty with their sons, Kochuvarkey and Anthony.
In the middle Kochulucy, their daughter with her husband
proudly carrying the fresh baptised little Georgy.
We wish the young parents
a bright future full of joy over their first-born!
Papa's note as conclusion:
"Memory", "commemoration" are deep theological expressions.
We remember our forefathers and in this page especially Chittappan and Elayamma.
They are no more, but through our memory and through all that our children hear from us
they continue to live in us and in our offspring.
By Patrick and Basil
dedicated to the revered memory of our Grandchittappan and as a sign of our
union with
our uncle, aunts and all other relatives of the Grandchittappan's clan.