Pallithanam Luca Matthai (also known as Pallithanathu Mathaichan) was born in 1880 in Kainady village, Kuttanad, British India.
That ban was removed in 1914, after which Matthai and some other prominent families in Kuttanadu, reclaimed E-Block Kayal, which covered 2,400 acres (970 ha).
Matthai served as member of the Moolam Thirunal of Travancore's Praja Sabha (Popular Assembly) and is considered to be a pioneer of the cooperative agricultural movement in Kuttanadu.
Our Lady of Dolours Church in Kainady village stands on land donated by him.
Using his influence as a member of the Praja Sabha, he established a primary school in Kainady in 1921 and in the initial years he acted as the manager of it.