Padathu Mathen Tharakan was not a native of Kottayam. He was born and brought up in Kothamangalam. Kothamangalam was then a very prominent place in Vadakkumkur kingdom. Mathen's father and his ancestors had all been residents of Kothamangalam for centuries. When he was in his thirties or early forties, he and his younger brother, Thommen, along with a few members of his family migrated to Kottayam. Kottayam was then known as Munjanadu, which was a part of the mighty Thekkumkore state. The reasons for their migration to Munjanadu have always remained obscure. They had come to Kottayam in search of better opportunities.

    

    On their arrival in Kottayam, they presented themselves before the king, because that was the custom whenever people from a different state entered his territory. Mathen and Thommen told the king that they were experts in martial arts. This pleased the king as martial art experts were held in high esteem in those days. At their request the king allowed them to display their skill before him. He was greatly impressed. He made up his mind to utilise their services to the best advantage of his state. This was soon followed by the granting of some special royal favours to them. Also, before long, they became most favoured subjects of the king.Mathen was granted the right to collect, on behalf of the king, a certain tax called 'Tharaku' on merchandise like pepper, cardamom, ivory, etc. He was also allotted land at Meenadom to build a house for him.

    

    Thommen, who remained a bachelor throughout his life, was given permission to open a 'Kalari' (martial arts school) at Kunnel near Paruthalamattam to impart martial arts training to the king's soldiers. He also received the title 'Panikar' from the king. Ruins of this school at Kunnel could be seen till about a few decades ago. Since Thommen Panikar, a Mappila, had his Kalari at Kunnel, that place has since been known as 'Mappilakkunnu.'Mathen's family in Kothamangalam was Christian for centuries. One of its ancestors adopted Christianity around 1100 AD. Earlier he had been a Brahmin of the ancient Mamalasseri Athimattom Illam. On his conversion to the new faith, this ancestor became a parishioner of Kothamangalam Cheriya Palli. By the time Mathen migrated to Munjanadu, his family in Kothamangalam had expanded to have several priests among its members.

    

    Mathen and those who came with him to Munjanadu shared the family's strong affinity for church services at their new place as well. They, therefore, attended church services occasionally at Kottayam Valiya Palli, which was the oldest and the only church in Munjanadu.It was Patathu Mappila's unflinching faith in God that changed the course of his and his family's future. He became instrumental in founding Manarcadu Church. This by itself was enough to enhance the family's reputation among all sections of Kerala's population even in those days.