History of Grama Panchayat
History of Grama Panchayat
The ancient "Muthassimavu" (grandmother mango tree) in Payangal, which has crossed centuries, is the oldest living natural presence in this panchayat. This panchayat is one of the rice bowls of Thrissur district. Before the Paralam region was formed as a panchayat, there existed an administrative system under the name of Kodannur Panchayat. It included the villages of Palissery, Venginissery, and Kodannur. Even today, certain stone inscriptions marked "Kodannur Panchayat" can be seen in some parts of the panchayat. It is said that Chevvoor Panchayat, comprising Chevvoor, Paralam, and Pallippuram villages, also existed at that time.
It is believed that the rulers of Thrissur Taluk in the erstwhile Kingdom of Cochin formed Paralam Panchayat in 1926. Currently, four villages—Paralam, Pallippuram, Kodannur, and Venginissery—are included in this panchayat. Universal adult suffrage and a democratic system were not present in those days as they are today. The practice at that time was to nominate members and presidents. Agriculture, traditional occupations, and cottage industries were the livelihood of the people. Most of the land consisted of single-crop fields. Coconut, arecanut, cashew, black pepper, planting materials, and betel vines were the main agricultural crops.
The old generation was engaged in handicrafts such as fishing, betel nut cutting, basket weaving, mat weaving, firecracker making, coir spinning, and stone grinding. Agricultural products were transported and marketed to distant markets by carrying them on heads, using shoulder poles (kavu), and ox carts. Fully loaded cargo boats (kettuvallam) served as an integral part of this trade and commercial sector. Cargo boats loaded with groceries coming from Cochin to the Kokkalai Vanchikkulam were a common sight.
There is still a curious man-made structure called the historically famous Ayyunnu (five hills), which elders present wrapped in legends. The head of the Ayyunnu Variyam, who was said to be the owner of these hills, devised a special scheme to provide water to grazing cattle. A deep tail-well (vaalkinar) was dug on top of the hill, and as its continuation, six square wells were dug in a row at intervals of 20 kols (a traditional unit of length). Tunnels were constructed to allow water to flow from the tail-well into the square wells, emptying into a large trough carved out of natural granite at the valley of the hill, which was filled with water for cows to drink.
Many young people were lined up in the Indian National Congress in the heroic struggle against British imperialism. Many who worked in the national movement later joined the socialist camp and communist movements through the peasant movement. The historically famous Ayyunnu valleys were well-known hideouts. Numerous state and district political leaders with bounties on their heads stayed in these hideouts and led revolutionary activities. Protests took place against feudalism, demanding land, fair wages, and customary agricultural shares (pathambu) for agricultural workers. The Mananchery Kaappu struggle stands as a brilliant milestone in the path traversed by the revolutionary movement.
Paralam Panchayat is surrounded on three sides by backwater fields (kayal nilangal). The southern, western, and northern parts of the panchayat are Kol lands. This panchayat was one of the well-known rice bowls of Thrissur district. Among the agro-climatic zones of Kerala, Paralam Panchayat belongs to the barren/infertile region of the Kol zone. A farming practice intertwined with nature had been followed here since ancient times. The green beauty of this village, densely filled with large trees like paddy, coconut, arecanut, banana, black pepper, cashew, jackfruit, and mango, alongside intercrops like vegetables and betel vines, is indescribable.
The agricultural sector of this panchayat suffered immense damage during the cyclone of 1116 Chingam (Malayalam Era). In earlier days, traditional seed varieties and methods were adopted in paddy cultivation. For irrigation and drainage, waterwheels (chakram), rope baskets (kayattukotta), and basket scoops (kottatheccu) were employed. Fields were plowed using cattle.
The government school started at Ammadam in the early days was the first educational institution in the panchayat. For high school education, people relied on Cherpu. Before the construction of the Puttarakkal Bridge, higher education facilities for students were complicated. This was resolved with the establishment of St. Antony's High School in Ammadam. It is the only high school in the panchayat that has celebrated its Golden Jubilee.
The growth of the national movement and the activities of renaissance organizations provided a new impetus to social and political awakenings. Following the formation of the Travancore-Cochin State, some local committees were organized. Panchayat courts and panchayat governing bodies helped foster democratic awareness among rural people. Before the birth of Kerala state and the formation of the first popular government, the control of the agricultural sector was in the hands of feudal landlords. The majority of the people were sharecroppers and tenants. Comprehensive reforms in the agricultural sector increased the income of the people.
When Avinissery Panchayat was formed in 1978, the Palakkal market, shopping complex, and industrial units were annexed to Avinissery. After 1983, a major breakthrough was achieved in the field of development. Paralam Panchayat was recognized as one of the two model panchayats in Thrissur district. The Pallippuram-Alappad, Kodannur, and Nedupuzha roads connected Paralam Panchayat with other panchayats. Twelve famous temples, three Christian churches, and one mosque are situated here. A single-stone wall forty feet long and six feet high can still be seen today at the ShastamKadavu Panangutti Shiva Temple as a testament to architectural excellence.