History of Kizhakkenchery Grama Panchayat

As in many other parts of Kerala, the entire landholdings in Kizhakkenchery were historically under the ownership of Namboothiri families. It is believed that one of the members of the Cochin royal family separated following a dispute, crossed the forests, and settled in this area. He lived with the assistance of the indigenous tribal communities of the region. Later, he established relationships with tribal women and formed joint families. These families settled in places such as Thendillam and Pokkillam.

About three hundred years ago, when the family had expanded considerably and there arose a need to extend its administrative control, they shifted their residence to Palakkad. A major portion of the land in the Panchayat was under the control of the Puzhakkal Idam royal family, while the remaining land was held by other royal families such as Nellikkal Idam and Naduvil Idam.

The name Kizhakkenchery has a connection with Sangam literature. The Tamil name Kizhakkenchery is believed to have subsequently evolved into the Malayalam name Kizhakkenchery. There are two interpretations regarding the origin of the name, both of which are related to direction.

According to the first interpretation, the ancient Thiruvarksha Temple was situated at the centre, with Vadakkenchery located to the north and Kizhakkenchery to the east of the temple. The second interpretation suggests that Kizhakkenchery is situated to the east of Vadakkenchery. The term cheri was used in those days to denote settlements inhabited by Brahmins.

Under the traditional tenancy system, the entire land came into the possession of Kanakkudiyans through Kanacharthu. The Kanakkudiyans were influential landholders. There was a practice of rewriting the Kanam records once every twelve years. A protest was organized under the leadership of the Kanakkudiyans against this practice of rewriting the agreements.

Land yielding 70,000 para of paddy as rent was reduced to a surplus share of 17,000 para of paddy, which the Kanakkudiyans had to pay to the Puzhakkal Idam Thampuran. A major portion of the land was covered by forests and constituted hilly terrain. Out of approximately 18,000 acres, after accounting for the land covered under Kanacharthu, around 16,000 acres remained as Idam property and forest land (Survey No. 1/1A).

There was also a practice of assigning land for meeting the daily ritual and maintenance expenses of temples. Such lands came to be known as Devaswom lands and were also associated with hereditary rights.

A broad unity front was formed by people from different communities, including Christians, Muslims, and Ezhavas, against the dominance of the upper castes. They contested and won the election to the Panchayat Board through a show-of-hands voting system.

The first decision of the first Panchayat Board was to dismiss the only clerk working in the Panchayat at that time, Pallavoor Perumcheri Ramanunni, popularly known as Unni Master. This may be regarded as a reflection of the early popular sentiment against bureaucratic dominance. Following the dismissal of the clerk, the Panchayat President, Shri A. C. Ramakrishnan, resigned for personal reasons.

The first ballot election was subsequently scheduled to be held at Thrippannoor. Since the name of the opposing candidate, Shri Abdul Khader Sahib, was not included in the electoral roll, Shri A. C. Velayudhan was elected unopposed.

The headquarters of Kizhakkenchery Panchayat was initially located at Kizhakkenchery, and was later shifted to Kundukadu. In 1966, it was shifted to its own building at Nainamkadu.

An important event in the social history of the area was the entry of Sukumaran Master and Vellakkutty Master, under the leadership of R. Krishnan, into the major temples of the region, including Thiruvara, Karumanassery, and Kizhakkenchery temples. The echoes of the agricultural labour movements that took place in the neighbouring area of Vandazhi also reached Kizhakkenchery to a limited extent.

In 1951–52, a beedi manufacturing company was established at Moolankode. Its workers, under the leadership of C. O. Sukumaran Master and E. V. Raghavan, laid the foundation for workers' movements in the Panchayat.

Following the Land Reform legislation of 1957, a tax of two rupees per acre was imposed on land. As a result, the people of Puzhakkal Idam became liable to pay the tax. Subsequently, during the 1960s, efforts were made to sell the hilly region to the U.T.T. Company. At the same time, around 200 families filed a legal case demanding partition of the property.

As a result, several struggles took place during this period, including the U.T.T. agitation and the Mallukode eviction struggle of 1962. At a time when people belonging to other castes were not permitted to enter the Brahmin settlement, a post office was established within the Brahmin settlement. A memorable agitation was organized demanding that the post office be established outside the Brahmin settlement.

The first Lower Primary School in Kizhakkenchery was established in 1912 under the Malabar District Board. Subsequently, schools were established at Moolankode, Malampada, Ilavampadam, Thrippannoor, and Valkkulambu. The first high school was established in 1956.

The library movement in Kizhakkenchery began through the library attached to the Grama Panchayat. Traditional art forms such as Aryamalakkali, Kanyarkali, Kolkali, and Porottumkali were popular in the Panchayat. Moolankode Koottappura Krishnan, based at Nairkunnu, and Mudappallur Velayudhan Nair, based at Thachakkode, studied and staged mythological dramas.

The severe flood of 1940 caused extensive damage to property in the region and remains one of the significant natural disasters in the history of the Panchayat.

The major crops cultivated in the early period were paddy, pulses, kora, sesame, black gram, pigeon pea, and other traditional crops. Around 1945, approximately four families arrived in the area as early settlers. In 1952, about 20 families migrated and settled in the Koran­chira area. Thereafter, migration continued on a large scale.

Most of the settlers came from different parts of Travancore and Cochin, including Pala and Perumbavoor. Their arrival brought significant changes to the agricultural practices of the region. During the early period, thailappullu and tapioca were widely cultivated.

Following the commissioning of the Mangalam Dam in 1953, cultivation of rubber, coconut, pepper, arecanut, banana, and other crops began to expand. Kizhakkenchery has a terrain that slopes in three stages from south to north. Approximately 10 percent of the total area consists of high plateau regions.

Coffee, cardamom, and pepper are cultivated as major spice crops in these highland areas. Apart from land suitable for cultivation, the remaining areas consist largely of dense forests. The rivers Thippilikayam, Thalppuzha, Randampuzha, Odanthode, and Manila originate from this region. The Thindillam watercourse also begins here.

Agricultural activities in the region depend largely on these important water resources. The migrant settlers played an important role in transforming agriculture in the area. They succeeded in developing the land through hard work, bringing dignity to agricultural labour, and creating greater interest in agricultural activities among the local population.

Cultural History

The major temples and religious institutions in the Panchayat include Punnappadam Puthenpalli, the historically significant Thiruvarksha Temple, Katukulangara Temple, Thrippannoor Shiva Temple, Moolankode Vishnu Temple, Emur Bhagavathy Temple, and Chathankulangara Bhagavathy Temple.

People from different communities and religions have traditionally participated together in festivals and celebrations associated with temples and churches. Historians have recorded that Kanyarkali was performed in the courtyard of Katukulangara Temple and Kolkali was performed in connection with the Punnappadam Muslim Mosque in ancient times.

The annual Nercha commemorating Sheikh Fareed Auliya at Nainamkadu is conducted with the participation of people belonging to different religions.

The major festivals celebrated in the Panchayat include the Kizhakkenchery Festival, Karumanassery Ther, the Vela festivals of Moolankode, Kizhakkenchery, Kottakkad, Cheerakkuzhi, and Punnappadam, Punnappadam Mariamman Pongal, the Moolankode–Mambad Kathir festivals, and the annual festivals of Christian and Muslim churches.

The first library in the Panchayat was established in 1948. Subsequently, several libraries and reading rooms were established, including Thenmalappuram Library, Ilavampadam Janakeeya Library, Jayakerala Koran­chira, Jnanodayam Valkkulambu, Swaraj Pandankode, Prabhat Library Mambad, Udaya Granthalayam Mariyappadam, Mangalodaya Velampuzha, Friends Palakkuzhi, and Kerala Janatha Library Navilin Chola.

Kizhakkenchery is also a Panchayat with a significant presence in the field of sports. The Panchayat has produced notable volleyball players, including Pokkalassery Chandrasekhar, who was a member of the Indian volleyball team, as well as players who represented other states and individuals who later served as state-level coaches.

Kizhakkenchery can therefore be described as one of the cradles of volleyball in Palakkad district.