A small section of the ‘Kallampally Meda’ is what remains of the once sprawling Kallampally Ammaveedu in the Fort area. The origin of the Kallampally Ammaveedu is lost in antiquity. However, its association with the history of erstwhile Travancore can be dated to the eighteenth century. The ancestors of the Kallampally family hailed from the old Nanjinad, a part of Travancore; they were related to the ancient Ammaveedu at Sreevaraham and the Thalakulathu Valiya Veedu.
V. Narasimhan Thampi who wrote Travancore Royal Family and the Valiakottaram provides information on the ancestors of the family. The patriarchs of Kallampally Ammaveedu were the hereditary ‘Karyakkars’ (managers) of the royal treasury, the ‘Chellam Vaka’. According to Narasimhan Thampi, the patriarchs of Kallampally family were the trusted ‘Chellam Vaka thakkol sukshippukar’ or the ‘key bearers’ of the royal treasury.
The first individual to shoulder this responsiblity was Kallampally Narasimhan Thampi (b.1775-d.1871), who entered into service during the reign of Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma. Thampi occupied the office until the reign of Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma. Subsequently Thampi’s eldest nephew Kandan Kumaran Thampi took over the post.
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As Chellam Karyakkar, the patriarchs of Kallampally family held an important role in the Valiya Kottaram. The treasury was a busy place where hundreds of skilled goldsmiths worked under the supervision of the Karyakkar. The Karyakkar was in charge of the Moothapillais who controlled the staff working at the palace complex. ‘Karuvalathu Nairs’, descendants of the loyal families who assisted Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma in his war against the Ettuvettil Pillais, guarded the treasury.
The members of the family claimed the traditional post of the ‘Chellam Karyakkar’ until mid-1940s. Velayudhan Thampi (b.1888-d.1961), nephew of Sri Krishnan Thampi, was the last ‘Thiruvabharanam Superintendent’, officer in charge of the sacred jewels and ornaments used in the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple. “Our family had a flag that was taken out and exhibited during the Ârattu ceremony,” says Chandramony, a daughter of Velayudhan Thampi.
In olden days, the Kallampally Ammaveedu complex comprised various blocks such as the padipura (gateway), the meda (mansion used by the male family members), the nalukettu (courtyard house used by the female family members), and the sacred groves. “The old Meda was a small building,” says Rajendraprasad, son of Velayudhan Thampi. “It was enlarged and additional rooms were added by my father. It was during the reign of Sree Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma that the new road leading to Sreevaraham temple was made, until then the birthday procession of the King passed through the narrow Kallampally street,” adds Rajendraprasad.
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The family owned extensive farmlands in Eraniel, Vallakadavu, and Vattiyoorkavu and the responsibility to maintain the vast estates was entrusted with the patriarchs, who in turn were assisted by managers. During the tenure of Velayudhan Thampi as the patriarch of the family, an attempt was made to partition the family property, which heralded the termination of the old traditions and lifestyle associated with the Kallampally Ammaveedu.
(The write-up based on an interview with Dr. Chandramony, former professor, Agriculture College, and Rajendraprasad.)