https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Oommen_MammenOommen Mammen - Revision history2026-11-04T00:27:56ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oommen_Mammen&diff=523017&oldid=prevLouJ11418910501: created.2026-03-21T06:34:34Z<p>created.</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian Anglican priest}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2025}}<br />
{{Infobox Christian leader<br />
| type = priest<br />
| honorific-prefix = [[The Venerable]]<br />
| name = Oommen Mammen<br />
| honorific-suffix =<br />
| title = [[Archdeacon]] of [[Mavelikkara]]<br />
| image = Archdeacon Oommen Mammen.jpg<br />
| image_size = <br />
| alt = <br />
| caption = <br />
| church = [[Church of England]] in [[British India]]<br />
| archdiocese = <br />
| province = <br />
| metropolis = <br />
| diocese = [[Madhya Kerala Diocese|Anglican diocese of Travancore & Cochin]]<br />
| see = <br />
| elected = <br />
| appointed = <br />
| term = <br />
| term_start = 22 March 1900<br />
| quashed = <br />
| term_end = 23 August 1904<br />
| predecessor = [[Archdeacon K. Koshy]]<br />
| opposed = <br />
| successor = <br />
| other_post = <br />
<!---------- Orders ----------><br />
| ordination = 16 March 1856 (deacon)<br />9 November 1859 (priest)<br />
| ordained_by = [[Thomas Dealtry]]<br />
| consecration = <br />
| consecrated_by = <br />
<!---------- Personal details ----------><br />
| birth_name = Oommen Mammen Tharakan<br />
| birth_date = {{birth year|1830}}<br />
| birth_place = <br />
| death_date = {{death year|1904}}<br />
| death_place = <br />
| buried = <br />
| nationality = [[Travancore|Travancorean]]<br />
| religion = [[Oriental Orthodoxy]] (1830–1850)<br />[[Anglicanism]] (1850–1904)<br />
| residence = <br />
| parents = Kuncheria Mammen Tharakan & Annamma Thoompunkal<br />
| spouse = Annamma Joseph<br />
| children = <br />
| occupation = <br />
| profession = <br />
| previous_post = <br />
| education = <br />
| alma_mater = [[CMS College Kottayam]]}}<br />
'''Oommen Mammen Tharakan''' (24 March 1830 – 23 August 1904) was an Indian Anglican priest and [[Malayalam]] litterateur.<br />
<br />
== Early life ==<br />
Oommen Mammen was born the son of Kuncheria Mammen Tharakan and Annamma Thoompunkal to the distinguished [[Nazrani people|Nazrani]] family of Alummoottil in [[Puthencavu]], near [[Chengannur]].{{sfn|Addison|Oakes|Lawson|Sladen|1905|p=1064}}{{sfn|Thomas|1974|pp=112–113}}{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=30}} The hereditary honorific title '[[Tharakan (title)|Tharakan]]' was bestowed upon his family by a local [[Raja]]. They were members of the [[Malankara Syrian Church]].{{sfn|Addison|Oakes|Lawson|Sladen|1905|p=1064}}{{sfn|Thomas|1974|pp=112–113}}{{sfn|Thomas|2010|pp=31–32}} When Oommen was just twenty-two days old, his father died.{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=30}}{{sfn|Idiculla|2012|p=66}} While Oommen was still an infant, his mother took him to [[St. Mary's Church, Niranam|St. Mary's Orthodox Church]] in [[Niranam]], and dedicated him to the service of the Lord and the church.{{sfn|Thomas|2010|pp=31–32}}<br />
<br />
By the time Oommen reached twelve years of age, his mother remarried, effectively rendering him an orphan.{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=32}}{{sfn|Idiculla|2012|p=66}} His relatives seized his paternal inheritance, and he was left in the care of his mother's sister's husband Rev. J. Tharian Parambil, in [[Mavelikkara]].{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=32}}{{sfn|Idiculla|2012|p=66}}<br />
<br />
== Education ==<br />
Oommen studied [[Malayalam]] at the Anglican [[Church Mission Society]] school in Mavelikkara.{{sfn|Jeffrey|1976|pp=339–340}}{{sfn|Addison|Oakes|Lawson|Sladen|1905|p=1064}} At that time, [[British people|British]] missionary Rev. J. Hawksworth took Oommen under his wing.{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=33}}{{sfn|Idiculla|2012|p=66}} Later, with Hawksworth's assistance, Oommen learned English at [[CMS College Kottayam]], which was also run by Anglican missionaries.{{sfn|Addison|Oakes|Lawson|Sladen|1905|p=1064}}{{sfn|Jeffrey|1976|p=340}}{{sfn|Thomas|2010|pp=33–34}} Under the influence of his missionary teachers, Oommen converted from [[Oriental Orthodoxy]] to [[Anglicanism]].{{sfn|Thomas|2010|pp=32–34}}{{sfn|Thomas|1974|pp=112–113}}<br />
<br />
== Ordinations and ministry ==<br />
From 1851 to 1856, Oommen Mammen served as a travelling evangelist for the [[Church Mission Society]] in Travancore.{{sfn|Jeffrey|1976|pp=52,340}}{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=34}}<br />
He was ordained as deacon on 16 March 1856, by the Anglican bishop of [[Madras]] Rt. Rev. [[Thomas Dealtry]].{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=35}}{{sfn|Jeffrey|1976|p=340}}{{sfn|Addison|Oakes|Lawson|Sladen|1905|p=1064}} Subsequently, he was trained for priesthood by Anglican missionary priests Rev. Chapman, Rev. Hawksworth, Rev. Joseph Peet and Rev. Whitehead.{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=35}} On 9 November 1859, he was ordained a priest at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in [[Kottayam]].{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=35}}{{sfn|Addison|Oakes|Lawson|Sladen|1905|p=1064}}<br />
<br />
As a priest, Oommen served in many [[Church of England]] parishes in [[Travancore]] and [[Kingdom of Cochin|Cochin]].{{sfn|Addison|Oakes|Lawson|Sladen|1905|p=1064}}{{sfn|Idiculla|2012|p=67}} He himself prepared a curriculum for Sunday School in 1868, whilst serving in [[Mallapally]] Anglican church.{{sfn|Thomas|2010|pp=37–38}}{{sfn|Idiculla|2012|p=67}} Oommen worked tirelessly for the upliftment of non-Christian [[Dalit]]s, evangelizing and educating them, provoking the ire of [[forward caste]] people.{{sfn|Thomas|2010|pp=38,79–84}}{{sfn|Nellimukal|2013|pp=306–309}}{{sfn|Society|1904|p=297}} The last twenty-four years (1880–1904) of his vocation was based out of the Christ Anglican church in [[Mavelikkara]].{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=35}} Throughout his ministry, he remained close to the royal families of Mavelikkara and Travancore.{{sfn|Thomas|2010|pp=41–46}} On 22 March 1900, he was made the Archdeacon of Mavelikkara, the second Indian to be raised to that rank in the Church of England, after [[Archdeacon K. Koshy|K. Koshy]].{{sfn|MacKenzie|1901|p=48}}{{sfn|Stock|1916|pp=198,251,253}}{{sfn|Aiya|1906|p=220}}{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=41}}<br />
<br />
== Literary pursuits ==<br />
Oommen was a prolific [[Malayalam]] writer, who authored eighteen books, of which some were translations from English to Malayalam.{{sfn|Addison|Oakes|Lawson|Sladen|1905|p=1064}}{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=49}}{{sfn|Idiculla|2012|p=67}} Pre-eminent Malayalam poet and literary scholar [[Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer]] in his famous book {{cite book |title=Kerala Sahitya Charitram (History of Kerala Literature) |url=https://www.amazon.com/KERALA-SAHITYA-CHARITRAM-Ulloor/dp/8193036840 |isbn=8193036840}}, has duly recognized Archdeacon Oommen Mammen's contributions to Malayalam literature.{{sfn|Thomas|2010|pp=47–48,50}} Oommen's works include,<br />
* ''Athmeekaranam'' (Spiritualization)<br />
* ''Rogathepattiyulla Dhyanam'' (Meditation on sickness)<br />
* ''Uttama Sthreekalude Kathakal'' (Stories of noble women)<br />
* ''Balapriyan'' (Children's friend), parts I and II<br />
* ''Sukruthamulla Sthree'' (Virtuous woman)<br />
* ''Salomonte Subhashithangal'' – translation of [[Charles Bridges (theologian)|Charles Bridges]]'s ''Exposition of Proverbs'', in three volumes<br />
* ''Ente Rajavu'' – translation of [[Frances Ridley Havergal]]'s ''My King''{{sfn|Addison|Oakes|Lawson|Sladen|1905|p=1064}}{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=49}}{{sfn|Idiculla|2012|p=67}}<br />
<br />
== Personal life and descendants ==<br />
[[File:Syrian Anglican priest Kaipuredathu M. Matthai and family.jpg|thumb|[[Saint Thomas Anglicans|Syrian Anglican]] priest Kaipuredathu M. Matthai with his wife Achiamma (d/o archdeacon Oommen Mammen) and children]]<br />
On 30 October 1851, Oommen Mammen married Annamma Joseph, daughter of Syrian [[Kathanar]] Joseph Vaidyan.{{sfn|Addison|Oakes|Lawson|Sladen|1905|p=1064}}{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=34}}{{sfn|Idiculla|2012|p=67}} Oommen's brother-in-law was also a Syrian priest.{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=34}} The marriage was solemnized by Rev. J Hawksworth at the Christ Anglican church in [[Mavelikkara]].{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=34}}<br />
<br />
Oommen and Annamma together had five sons and five daughters that survived into adulthood, and two other children, who died in infancy.{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=64}} Several of Oommen's descendants were clerics in the [[Diocese of Travancore and Cochin]] of the [[Church of England]] and its successor the [[Church of South India]], as well as the [[Mar Thoma Syrian Church]].{{sfn|Thomas|2010|pp=64–65}}{{sfn|Chatterton|1924}} This includes Rev. A. O. Matthai (son), Rev. A. V. George (grandson), Rev. K. V. Thomas (grandson) and Rev. A. Joseph Matthew (grandson) of the [[Anglican church]], along with Most Rev. [[Alexander Mar Thoma|Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan]] (great-grandson through daughter Mariamma Anjilivelil) and Rev. P. M. Thomas (great-grandson) of the Mar Thoma Church.{{sfn|Thomas|2010|pp=64–65}} Additionally his sons-in-law Rev. Kaipuredathu M. Matthai and Rev. M. T. Chacko were also Church of England priests in British India.{{sfn|Thomas|2010|pp=64–65}}{{sfn|Richards|1908|pp=114–115}} Former [[Government of Kerala|Kerala government]] [[Chief secretary (India)|Chief Secretary]] C. Thomas ([[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]) is also his great-grandson through daughter Saramma Mullamangalam.{{sfn|Thomas|2010|pp=21–22,65}}{{sfn|TH1|2018}}<br />
<br />
== Death ==<br />
Oommen continued as archdeacon till his death on 23 August 1904.{{sfn|Idiculla|2012|p=67}}{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=45}}{{sfn|Mooken|1983|p=81}} In response to the telegram intimating the news of the archdeacon's death, [[Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran]] of [[Travancore royal family]] replied, "I have lost an esteemed friend; the mission, a zealous worker; and the poor, a true benefactor".{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=45}} Oommen was laid to rest at the Mavelikkara Anglican cemetery.{{sfn|Idiculla|2012|p=67}} A memorial service was held in the Holy Trinity Anglican cathedral, [[Kottayam]], on 4 September 1904.{{sfn|Thomas|2010|p=45}}<br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
*[[Saint Thomas Christians]]<br />
*[[Saint Thomas Anglicans]]<br />
*[[Church Missionary Society in India]]<br />
*[[Christianity in Kerala]]<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<!-- Inline citations added to your article will automatically display here. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:REFB for instructions on how to add citations. --><br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
== Bibliography ==<br />
{{Refbegin}}<br />
* {{cite book |last1=Thomas |first1=Parumootil Joseph |title=100 Indian Witnesses to Jesus Christ |date=1974 |publisher=Bombay Tract and Book Society |page=112–113 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/100_Indian_Witnesses_to_Jesus_Christ/EuQgAAAAMAAJ |language=en}}<br />
* {{cite book |last1=Jeffrey |first1=Robin |title=The Decline of Nayar Dominance: Society and Politics in Travancore, 1847-1908 |date=1976 |author1-link=Robin Jeffrey |publisher=Vikas Publishing House |isbn=978-0-7069-0486-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IE5dvgEACAAJ |language=en}}<br />
* {{cite book |last1=Mooken |first1=Mar Aprem |title=Indian Christian who is who |date=1983 |author1-link=Aprem Mooken |publisher=Bombay Parish Church of the East |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u2s5AAAAMAAJ |language=en}}<br />
* {{cite book |last1=Addison |first1=Henry Robert |last2=Oakes |first2=Charles Henry |last3=Lawson |first3=William John |last4=Sladen |first4=Douglas Brooke Wheelton |title=Who's who |date=1905 |publisher=A. & C. Black |page=1064 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Who_s_who/vDsJAAAAIAAJ |language=en}}<br />
* {{cite book |last1=Thomas |first1=M.C. |title=Archdeacon Oommen Mammen (Biography) |date=2010 |publisher=Heritage Trust for Christian Research Publications and Charity |location=Trivandrum |pages=1–103 |language=ml}}<br />
* {{cite book |last1=Idiculla |first1=Dr. Shajan A. |title=Douthyathinte Edukal (History of CSI Central Kerala Diocese) |date=2012 |publisher=CMS Press |location=Kottayam |pages=66–67 |language=ml}}<br />
* {{cite book|title=A History of the Church of England in India Since the Early Days of the East India Company|author1-first=Eyre|author1-last=Chatterton|author1-link=Eyre Chatterton|location=London|publisher=SPCK|year=1924|chapter=The Diocese of Travancore and Cochin, 1879. The Country of Fiords, Mountains, and Moplahs Bishops|chapter-url=http://anglicanhistory.org/india/chatterton1924/20.html}}<br />
* {{cite news |ref={{harvid|TH1|2018}} |title=Former Chief Secretary C. Thomas dead |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/former-chief-secretary-c-thomas-dead/article24629353.ece |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=8 August 2018 |language=en-IN}}<br />
* {{cite book |last1=Nellimukal |first1=Dr. Samuel |title=Keralathile Samoohyaparivarthanam – The Social Transformation of Kerala |date=2013 |publisher=K. S. Books |location=Kottayam |pages=306–309 |language=ml}}<br />
* {{cite book |last1=MacKenzie |first1=Gordon Thomson |title=Christianity in Travancore |date=1901 |publisher=Printed at Travancore Government Press |page=48 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Christianity_in_Travancore/cVQoAAAAYAAJ |language=en}}<br />
* {{cite book |last1=Society |first1=Church Missionary |title=Proceedings of the Church Missionary Society for Africa and the East... |date=1904 |publisher=Church Missionary House |page=297 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Proceedings_of_the_Church_Missionary_Soc/nfokHF0rOJcC |language=en}}<br />
* {{cite book |last1=Stock |first1=Eugene |title=The History of the Church Missionary Society: Its Environment, Its Men and Its Work |date=1916 |publisher=Church Missionary Society |page=198,251,253 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_History_of_the_Church_Missionary_Soc/EOMpAQAAIAAJ |language=en}}<br />
* {{cite book |last1=Aiya |first1=V. Nagam |title=The Travancore State Manual |date=1906 |publisher=Travancore government Press |page=220 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Travancore_State_Manual/tHsoAAAAYAAJ |language=en}}<br />
* {{cite book |last1=Richards |first1=William Joseph |title=The Indian Christians of St. Thomas: Otherwise Called the Syrian Christians of Malabar : a Sketch of Their History and an Account of Their Present Condition as Well as a Discussion of the Legend of St. Thomas |date=1908 |publisher=Bemrose |page=114–115 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Indian_Christians_of_St_Thomas/bIgSAAAAYAAJ |language=en}}<br />
{{Refend}}<br />
<br />
{{Malayalam Literature |state=collapsed}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:1830 births]]<br />
[[Category:1904 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:Church of South India clergy]]<br />
[[Category:People from the Kingdom of Travancore]]<br />
[[Category:Indian Anglican missionaries]]<br />
[[Category:19th-century Indian Anglican priests]]<br />
[[Category:19th-century Indian male writers]]</div>LouJ11418910501