One traces one's history through a few generations, but I have received this article given below from more than a couple of people.
(Please visit the Maliyakal pages, Maliyakal Ravoor Matthan Kurien, alias Maliyakal K. Aaschan, alias Kurien Assan, the founder of the House of Maliyakal linked from this page as some of them have been updated.)
How much weight do I give it?
I do not know, but it is interesting to learn that an ancestor was one of the first Brahmin converts to Christianity in India!
Maliyakal Thomas Ramban
The first Hindu Convert
by St. Thomas Cochukattil Daniel Varghese
“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).
According to the book Apostolate & Martyrdom of St. Thomas, the first Brahmin convert in Malankara was Vishnu Nambuthiri, originally from Niranam Maliyakal, accepted the name "Thoma” after he was converted at Kodungalloor by St. Thomas, who ordained him as Ramban. His descendant wrote the original Ramban songs. In 1601 his 50th, descendant another "Thoma Ramban" re- wrote the original Ramban Songs called "Thoma Parvom” (page 433- 39). According to “Thoma Parvom” the visit of St. Thomas in Kerala lasted only eight days in the first instant. A total of four Brahmin families were converted at this time and one of them was Maliyakal family, his converted name was Maliyakal Thomas Remban. During St. Thomas’ second visit, he converted 75 Brahmin families along with Jews, Kshatriyas, Nairs and Chettiars. Each local parish was self-administered, guided by a group of presbyters and presided over by the elder priest or episcopa (bishop). These songs (page 213-252) states that St. Thomas and the 1st Thomas Ramban came to Nilakkal to preach the good news. He settled down there. Also Kulathakkal Kudumba history (1974 page 22) records that their founding father was from Nilakkal and came to Aranmula with the Maliyakal family. In the 13th century the Kulathakkal family became Christians because of the influence of the "Maliyakal (Maliakkal)” family. The Maliyakal family later moved to Maramon.
Dear brothers and sisters I am writing this to remind you that, we were all chosen into His Light through His disciple and Apostle St. Thomas. Our ancestor was the first Brahmin convert in Malankara, India into the new faith, Christianity. We the Maliyakal family are proud in Christ for His desire to choose Maliyakal Thomas Ramban as the first Christian convert in Malankara, India. It is because of this selection and decision we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood and a people belonging to God. The Maliyakal family Kudumba-yogam is registered as “Maramon Maliakkal Kudumba Yogam”. Also an internet web site is registered as www.Maliyakal.com.
Though this St. George Orthodox Church was established and constructed for to serve Maliyakal (Chackalayil /Mulavinayil / Kochukattil) family members, today it has grown to serve for a community at large.
On this occasion of the 75th anniversary of the St. George Orthodox Church, we the Cochukattil (Maliyakal) family in America remembers and honors the loving memory of Maliyakal Thomas Ramban for his bold decision to accept the Christian faith, despite suffering family persecution for this noble cause and to become His Royal family.
On this occasion I want to remember and honor the Malankara Metrapolitan Cheppadu Philipose Mar Dionysius, one of the grand nephews of our great grandfather Geevarghese who came to Kuttanperoor (currently Ennakadu), for Thirumany’s selfless services to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Geevarghese was the great, great, great, great grandfather of the founding members of this Church. Also with gratitude I take this opportunity to remember and honor late Very Rev. Thanuvelil Mathai Samuel Ramban; one of the early members of the Pathenapuram Thabor Diara, who was one of the grandsons of Kochukattil (Muttattinkara) Mathen Oommen, a founding member of this Church.
Let all glory and merits belong to Him. Let us re-dedicate ourselves and seek His Kingdom and His righteousness first. Let the Almighty open the floodgates of heaven shower His blessings upon all the members of the St. George Orthodox Church and the Maliyakal family to shine like a beacon for His Kingdom and His glory.
We wish and pray for all the members (living and departed) of St George Orthodox Church for His abundant blessings and heavenly guidance.
Some of you may remember that the Government of India, in 1964 and 1973, issued postage stamps to commemorate anniversaries of St. Thomas' life and work in India. On one of those stamps Thomas is shown as an elderly man, with his facial hair very reminiscent of historic and contemporary hair and beard styles of older Indian men.
Interesting - Yes. Believable - The jury is still out!
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