Padathu Mappila's younger brother Thommen Panikar, had set up a 'Kalari' at Kunnel a little away from Padath. When his elder brother left his home at Padath and began living at Manarcad, Thomman Panikar also decided to settle near his brother. He built a small house and a 'kalari' adjacent to it on a 67 cent plot of land purchased from the Paloor Nair family of Thiruvanchoor. Because Thomman Panikar had come from Kunnel, his new house at Manarcadu also came to be known as Kunnel. Later, after 'Padathu Malika' had  been destroyed, a descendant of Patathu Mappila came from Vennimala and began living at Kunnel house. His name was Mathu Korah Tharakan. It was this ancestor who strove to reopen Manarcad Church. It is in deference to this ancestor that the 'shakha' is called 'Kunnel Shakha.' 

Kunnel Shakha families live mostly at Manarcadu, Malam and nearby places, and, being near Manarcad Church, are always in the forefront of Kudumbayogam activities. Nedumparampil, Eerecheril, Chundayil, and Kunnel are the Sub Branches coming under Kunnel Shakha.