Kottiyam: It’s indeed a time travel for a Sri Lankan woman as she traces the roots of her grandfather in Kollam district.
Kayalvili, along with her Keralite husband Harilal, hailing from Pullichira near here, has come all the way from Colombo with grainy old pictures of her grandparents, and a passport of her grandfather’s brother to find her roots in the State.
Kayalvili’s grand uncle Ramanvelu Pillai renewed the passport in 1964 to travel to Sri Lanka in search of his brother Chellapan Pillai, Kayalvili’s grandfather, who went to the island for trade.
Ramanvelu Pillai, who was unmarried, and his brother used to keep in touch, through letters, with their sisters in Kerala, but that stopped after a while, and both died in Sri Lanka. Chellapan Pillai’s children and grandchildren are settled in various states in India, and other countries.
Kayalvili met Harilal when he came to Sri Lanka on business purposes, and later they got married.
Kayalvili recently came to know that her grandfather’s family members are living in Kollam, and she is hopeful of meeting them. People with relevant information can call at 7902270079.
