The year was 1870, and Valiyakunju Shankaran Channar had an ambitious plan—a project that would not only elevate the prestige of the Alummoottil family but also stand as a testament to its unity and heritage. He had set his sights on acquiring and relocating a grand Nalukettu, a traditional Kerala mansion, originally built by the Nellimoottil family in 1746. This structure, steeped in history, had once been gifted to the Nellimoottil family by Maharaja Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma as a token of gratitude. Now, Shankaran sought to make it the centerpiece of Alummoottil.
The process began with negotiations. The Nellimoottil family agreed to sell the mansion for the princely sum of 1,000 raashis (gold coins). “A fortune,” some whispered. But Shankaran saw beyond the cost. “This is not just a house,” he explained to his sons. “It is a legacy, a symbol of what our family stands for.”
The dismantling and transportation of the massive structure were monumental tasks. Craftsmen and laborers were summoned from across the region. For weeks, the courtyard of the Nellimoottil mansion buzzed with activity. Every beam, pillar, and carved wooden panel was carefully labeled and packed for transport.
Shankaran himself supervised the process, often standing amidst the chaos, his sharp eyes missing nothing. One evening, as workers prepared to lower a massive teak beam, he intervened. “Be careful,” he instructed. “That beam carries not just weight but stories of generations.”
Transporting the materials to Alummoottil was no less challenging. Bullock carts groaned under the weight of carved wood, intricate lattices, and heavy tiles. Villagers gathered along the route, marveling at the procession. “What grand plans does the Alummoottil Karanavar have this time?” they wondered.
At Alummoottil, preparations were underway to accommodate the new structure. The old Nalukettu on the estate was carefully dismantled and relocated to a nearby grove, making way for the new mansion. “This is where the heart of our family will beat,” Shankaran declared as he marked the spot where the first pillar would stand.
The reconstruction of the Nalukettu was an intricate process. Skilled carpenters, masons, and artisans worked tirelessly, their tools ringing out across the estate. Shankaran was a constant presence, inspecting progress, offering guidance, and ensuring that every detail was perfect. “This house must reflect our values,” he told the chief carpenter one day. “Strength, beauty, and tradition.”
Months later, the Nalukettu stood completed—a majestic structure with its sloping tile roof, spacious courtyards, and ornately carved wooden panels. The family gathered for the inaugural puja, a ceremony to sanctify the new house. As the priest chanted sacred verses, Shankaran’s gaze swept over his family, seated in the sprawling hall. He saw pride in their eyes and a sense of belonging.
“This is more than a house,” Shankaran addressed them after the ceremony. “It is our anchor. Let it remind us of who we are and where we come from.”
The Nalukettu became the center of family life, hosting festivals, ceremonies, and gatherings. Its halls echoed with laughter, its courtyards with the patter of children’s feet. Shankaran’s vision had come to life—a place that embodied the strength and unity of the Alummoottil family.
Years later, when visitors admired the grandeur of the Nalukettu, the family would recount the story of how Valiyakunju Shankaran Channar brought it to Alummoottil. “He didn’t just build a house,” they would say. “He built a legacy.”
