THE KOOPA KURRAPPANUNDAN CHEMBAYAH AND MOGANAYAGI ARCHARY FAMILY HISTORY

  

(Mr Koopa Chembayah and Moganayagi)

THE KURRAPPANUNDAN CHEMBAYAH AND MOGANAYAGI ARCHARY FAMILIES HAD THEIR ROOTS IN TWO DISTRICTS IN TAMIL NADU.

 OTTAWA FAMILY WITH A RICH HISTORY

                           

(Mogannayagi - Mogi - and her husband, Koopa Chembaya, with their three children - Evlena, Edwin and Irene - in their young days in Ottawa.)

 

Nov 11 2024

 

One of the young Ottawa couples, who had their roots in the South Indian State of Tamil Nadu, worked at the Flash Clothing Factory in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

The young couple was Kurrappanundan Chembayah and Moganayagi Archary. They were both well-known as Koopa and Mogi respectively.

Mr Chembayah, who hailed from Darnall on the North Coast,  was a machinist at the local factory. Mr Chembayah initially lived with his sister, Mrs Michael Souce, at the corner of Kissoon Road and the Main Road. He met Moganayagi from Mt Edgecombe at Flash Clothing Factory. 

The information for this historical family of Chembayah and Moganayagi has been provided by the eldest daughter, Mrs Evlena Moonsamy, who still resides in Ottawa. She and her husband, Krish, live in Munn Road. 

According to Evlena, she was able to research that her maternal ancestors had arrived from the District of Thirunamalay in Tamil Nadu. Her father’s ancestors had also arrived as indentured labourers from a nearby rural district to Thirunamalay. 

(Mogi's father, Gurumurthie Archary, seen here with his musical group and friends at the Mt Edgecombe Sugar Estate.)

Evlena says her parents had lived behind the Ottawa Trading Store and thereafter in later years re-located to the family home in upper Ottawa along the Main Road.

“This move was made possible as a result of the hard-work and dedication of my dad and mum. They were assisted by my grand-mother, Mrs Velliammah Moodley, and Mr Aroomugam Archary, my mother’s brother, who was employed at the Hulletts Sugar Mill.”

Mrs V. Moodley, besides working at Flash Clothing factory until the age of 59, was also a successful business woman who sold clothing to contribute to the family income.

 (Mogi’s mother, Mrs Velliamah Moodley, is seen with young Evlena and her Flash Clothing Factory colleague, Rajamma Naidoo of Tongaat. Mrs Naidoo is carrying Evlena’s brother, Edwin.)

 

According to Evlena, her parents came from humble beginnings and persevered like all other families in Ottawa. Her parents instilled in them the values of hard-work and dedication and ensured their children completed their tertiary education. Mr Chembayah’s determination to succeed and provide for his family was evident in the many jobs he held.

In addition to being a machinist at Flash Clothing Factory, her father also worked in the upholstery industry. He was a supervisor at the Strandform upholstery factory in Cavendish, Durban. And at weekends, together with Mrs Chembayah and the children, he sold vegetables at the Verulam Market.

"My mother, for her part, ensured that all the children were well educated and pursued a tertiary education. She was a well-known dressmaker in Ottawa and worked long hours to contribute to the family income. She continued with this trade up until her senior years. She was very passionate about her craft."

 

Evlena recalled that despite the tough conditions, life was simple and carefree and everyone lived like “one big family” in the early days in Ottawa. She used to play on the river banks after school with friends, being surrounded by lush, beautiful trees and plantations. She also enjoyed the train journeys to Mt Edgecombe, Durban and Verulam.

“The early days were memorable times.”

(Moganayagi - Mogi -  with her daughter, Evlena, seated on her lap, attending a celebration of Mrs Muniammah Govender, at the home of her daughter, Salatchie Subramoney, in Munn Road. Salatchie - on the right - is seen seated with Evlena's grand-mother, Velliamah. Evelena's younger brother, Edwin, is seated on Mrs Subramoney's lap.)

As a result of the sacrifices made by their ancestors and parents, the third, fourth and fifth generations have made tremendous advancements in their careers.

 

(Moganayagi, who is now 85-years-old, seen here with her children - L to R - Evlena, Irene and Edwin on her 82 birthday. )

 

The eldest daughter, Evlena Moonsamy, qualified as an educator and and was later appointed Head of Department in a school.  She completed her Master of Education degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She is married to Krishna Naicker and they have three children namely, Poveshnee, Povendran and Milashen.  Poveshnee is presently residing in New York State, USA. Povendran is an engineer on a ship and Milashen is in the engineering field.

Evlena’s brother, Edwin Chembayan, was passionate about sports. He excelled as a goalkeeper for Ottawa United Football Club. Sadly, Edwin Chembayan passed away a few months after retiring at the age of 60 in 2023.

He was married to Judy Chembayan and they have a daughter, Nicole. Nicole is presently the Organizational Development Manager at a company in Umhlanga Rocks.

Edwin was employed by the Department of Home Affairs where he started off as a clerk and excelled in this position in the Customs Department. According to his daughter, Nicole, he travelled internationally as a senior officer to the United Kingdom and Singapore.

He was later promoted to the position of Chief Immigration Officer in KwaZulu-Natal. 

The last born of the Chembayan and Moganayagi family is Irene Singh. She also qualified as an educator and completed her Master of Education degree at university. Irene, is married to Prakash Singh, and they have three daughters -  Shivani, Sheromi and Sayuri.

Shivani is employed at a bank as an Advisor, Sheromi is a Support Team Leader for an IT company and Sayuri has obtained her doctorate in Applied Mathematics. Ends – subrygovender@gmail.com Nov 11 2024