Anbiah

Aralvaimozhi Connection

Mr. Anbiah, originally hailing from Puthalam, faced a pivotal decision regarding his place of residence upon marrying Ms. Packiamuthu, a resident of Aralvaimozhi. He contemplated settling in one of three locales: Puthalam, Aralvaimozhi, or Nagercoil. Fate guided his choice, as his elder daughter Rajabai drew a lot that ultimately led them to Aralvaimozhi.

In his post-retirement years, Mr. Anbiah engaged in various church and community activities, making a significant contribution to the establishment of a statue commemorating the then Panchayat President, Agathiyalingam, near Aralvaimozhi school. Furthermore, he served as a devoted church deacon at the Aralvaimozhi CSI Church.

Munnar Connection

Mr. Anbiah's professional journey spanned several tea estates, including Letchmi Estate (prior to his marriage), Pettimudi's Rajamallay Estate, Kadalaar Estate, Yellapatty Estate, and Madupatty Estate, where he ultimately retired. During his tenure, he held the position of Head Clerk.

His career was largely centered in the picturesque region of Munnar, extending from approximately 1921 to 1956. A noteworthy association was his collaboration with Mr. Devaram, father of Walter Devaram, who served as a Conductor/Field staff at the Kadalaar Estate. Their sons, Willson and Walter Devaram, were classmates, and their shared school days included a memorable incident when they were pursued by a tiger (further details are required for clarity).

The construction and subsequent collapse of the Madupetty Dam occurred while Mr. Anbiah was stationed at Madupetty Estate, marking a significant moment in the history of the region.

Notably, three of Mr. Anbiah's sons also made their careers in Munnar: John Anbiah, who served as a Factory Officer, commonly referred to as a Tea Maker, from 1950 to 1990; Wilson, who held office positions in both the Regional Office (RO) and General Hospital (GH) from 1959 to 1986; and Royal Jesu Retna Ram, who worked as a Field Officer from 1970 to 2005.

Continuing the family legacy, Mr. Anbiah's grandson, Suvithan Anbiah, contributed to Munnar's community by working at the GH from 1993 to 2003. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that Jessie, the spouse of John Anbiah, had her roots tied to Munnar, as her father, Mr. D.Vethanayagam, a resident of Kulathuvilai village, was also engaged in work within the region.

Another noteworthy colleague of Mr. Anbiah was Mr. A.P. Aruldhas, a Conductor at the Madupetty estate, whose daughter, Ms. Victoria Swarnabhai, recalls Mr. Anbiah visiting their family in Nagercoil. This information was graciously shared by Ms. Suji Joy.

Name: Anbiah

The name "Anbiah" carries a unique significance within the Kanyakumari district, particularly among a specific caste. In the Tamil language, it translates to "Love + Sir." It was a prevalent first name during the period spanning 1900 to 1950. Mr. Anbiah's sons usually append their father's name (Anbiah) to shorten their name (More information about this practice is explained in Wikipedia). This practice aligns with a common trend in the 1960s, wherein all of Mr. Anbiah's sons bestowed "Anbiah" as a surname upon their own sons. This distinctive naming tradition has persisted across generations, resulting in most of Mr. Anbiah's grandsons carrying the surname "Anbiah."

Trivia

In addition to his professional pursuits and community involvement, Mr. Anbiah possessed several unique interests and traits. Notably, his choice of nightwear was pants, reflecting his individuality. He also possessed skills in Varmam and Silambam, sharing his knowledge by teaching some aspects of these disciplines to his son, Jameson. Music was another passion, as he played the harmonium, showcasing his artistic side. Finally, he maintained a meticulous record of important dates in his Bible, underscoring his commitment to preserving cherished memories and significant events.