This is an idiom that has long been in use in Kottayam and its surrounding areas. It was a saying used much the way today's generation might say "epic" or "over the top" — a proverb employed to convey the sheer grandeur of a lavishly, extravagantly conducted celebration.

Kuttancheril Thomman, known as "Thadikkaran Thomman" (Bearded Thomman), was a prominent merchant who lived in Kottayam two centuries ago. The Kuttancheril family were Nazranis who had migrated to Kottayam from Kodungallur. It was a few years after the Thekkumkur king established the Thaliyanthanapuram Chantha in AD 1445 that Sankarapuri Thomman — an ancestor of Thadikkaran Thomman — and his family accepted the king's invitation and arrived in Kottayam. They came to be known as the Kuttancheril family after the king settled them east of Kallupalam (today's Aruthuttipalam), on the royal road east of the market. Their occupation was trade at the market. In 1527, a branch of the Kuttanchira family left Kottayam and migrated to Puthuppally. One group among them later moved to Vakathanam in 1788, and their house-name there is Plapparambil. Another branch of the Kuttanchira family, known as Pazhathurthel, also exists. Thadikkaran Thomman's own branch of the family, however, never left Kottayam. Though Thekkumkur ruled Kottayam during Thomman's childhood, by the time he was active in trade, the region had come under Travancore's rule.

Kuttancheril Thomman was likely called "Thadikkaran Thomman" (Bearded Thomman) because he grew a long beard. By Thomman's time, the Kuttancheril family had grown wealthy through their trade at the market. Besides being an accomplished merchant, Thomman also owned numerous boats — including large cargo boats (kettuvallams) and curved valavaravallams. In those days, his cargo boats carried hill produce from Thazhathangadi to trading centers in Alappuzha, Changanassery, Chembu, and Kochi. Beyond using these boats for his own trade, Thomman also rented them out to other merchants. At the time, his boats travelled far and wide across the region's rivers and backwaters.

Whenever Thomman built and launched a new boat, he would hold a grand "Thonichatham" (boat-launching ceremony) with great pomp. When large cargo boats were launched, this ceremony would be especially spectacular. Once the priest arrived from Cheriyapally to bless the vessel, the boat would be launched into the river amid cheers and jubilant cries. A lavish feast (sadya) would follow. People of all castes and religions who came were treated to an abundant feast, accompanied by palm toddy and fruits. Anyone could attend Thomman's Thonichatham even without a specific invitation. Everyone received equal consideration at the feast — the only distinction being that separate seating rows (panthi) were arranged according to each guest's social standing. It's worth remembering that Kottayam town's population at the time numbered fewer than two thousand people.

Because Thadikkaran Thomman's Thonichatham was renowned even in distant lands, the phrase "like Thadikkaran Thomman's Thonichatham" came to be widely adopted as a comparison for any grandly and lavishly conducted event. In later times, for reasons unclear, the phrase's usage gradually declined.

In the latter half of the eighteenth century, Thadikkaran Thomman collaborated in trade with Thachil Mathu Tharakan — a leading merchant of Travancore and the right-hand man of King Avittam Thirunal Balarama Varma. However, Mathu Tharakan, who belonged to the "Pazhayakoor" faction among the Nazranis, attempted to use his political influence to bring Thomman and the other Malankara Syrian Christians — along with their church leader, the great Mar Dionysius Metropolitan — under his control. This led to a falling-out between Thomman and Mathu Tharakan, and Thomman was naturally sidelined in trade as a result.

Thadikkaran Thomman passed away in 1803.

Note: Does anyone know the meaning of the proverb "Thomman ayayumbol Chandy murukum" (When Thomman loosens, Chandy tightens)?