It was a difficult moment for him when he decided to change his name. He needed a name that would reflect the ideology he believed in, as well as maintain a connection to his past. So, he chose the name ‘Umma,’ which was made up of the first letters of his father's name.
His father was a writer, literary critic, language professor, newspaper editor, and more. He even received the Sabha Ratnam, the highest honor of the Syro-Malabar Church. However, Umma Sudan was more inclined towards Hindu beliefs as he spent his childhood near temples.
In Umma's stories, he recounts his college days when he had dominance over current political leaders who were members of the Kerala Student Union (KSU) at the time.
Umma married his college mate in his early twenties and they have two children. After experiencing some unpleasant personal experiences and realizing the Hindu supremacy in the political party INC, he decided to join the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
“I joined because they preach and practice what they believe, and I believe that is fairer. I must have been one of the first ten Christian members of the RSS in India. I served as a Bajrang Dal activist for a while.”
His wife, who was Hindu, had great disagreements with his ideas and way of life and moved abroad after their children grew up.
Umma Sudan then moved to Attapadi and lived in the small town of Mukkali. He married a woman from the Muduga tribe and they have three children now.
When faced with difficulties to obtain food for his buffalos during the Covid-19 pandemic, he moved to another location in Attapadi.
When asked why he chose Attapadi, he said, “My father was a Malayalam professor. When I last saw him, I asked him what the actual purpose of a language is.”
“Language is not for pleasure seeking, but to feel the mother nature.”, Umma answered.
He personally believes that the root-level concept behind GOTRA could be derived from the hills of Attapadi.
“I have climbed most of the peaks in Attapadi, except Malleshwaran Mudi, which is only accessible to the Muduga tribe. Now my children are capable of doing that.”, he concluded.