HISTORY

SOCIAL HISTORY

Angadipuram was the commercial centre and spiritual and cultural headquarters of the erstwhile Valluvanad region, which, in ancient times, extended up to the Panthallur hills in the east, the Anakkayam–Pulamanthole hills in the north and south, and the Pang hills of Malappuram in the west. During the Sangam Age, generally considered to extend up to the 5th century AD, communities such as the Pulayas, Kuravars, Villavars, Parayas, Panars and Vellalars were among the inhabitants of Kerala. The name Valluvanad is believed to have originated from the dominance of the Valluva community.

As the heartland of ancient Valluvanad, the region has a rich history and numerous historical traditions. The small town of Angadipuram is said to have been the capital of the Valluvanad royal domain. Even today, elderly people refer to the area as “Vellattangadi.” The historically significant Thirumandhamkunnu Temple, Chaverthara, Thali, Kottapparamba, Alpakkulam and Chaverkadu are situated within this Panchayat.

The authority over the historically renowned Mamankam festival, held once every twelve years on the banks of the Bharathapuzha at Tirunavaya, rested with the Valluvakkonathiri. At the “Nilapaduthara” of Mamankam, the Valluvakkonathiri, who occupied the ceremonial position with a sword, was beheaded by the soldiers of the Zamorin. The Vellattara royal forces were aware that it was impossible to defeat the mighty army of the Zamorin in battle. Nevertheless, the Chaver soldiers of Valluvanad were prepared to shed their blood and sacrifice their lives for the honour of their kingdom.

The Valluvakkonathiri administered the kingdom through local chieftains known as the “Ettuveettil Achans.” Angadipuram village was also the birthplace of the literary works of Poonthanam, the renowned author of Jnanappana. Malayalam literature can never forget “Nandanar,” a native of this place and the author of several novels, including Unnikuttante Lokam.

Kochattil Balakrishna Menon, who was admired by art lovers across Kerala, was born and brought up in Angadipuram. This land is also blessed as the birthplace of the world-renowned Sopana Sangeetham exponent Njeralath Rama Pothuval, who brought Sopana Sangeetham, which had traditionally remained confined to temple precincts, to the wider public.

Koottil Kunjhan Menon, who developed a distinctive style in Kathakali; Kalamandalam Narayanan Nambissan, an expert in Kathakali percussion; Sadanam Vasudevan, renowned for Kathakali Kottu and Thayambaka; and the brothers Krishnadas and Haridas were among those who brought the artistic heritage of Angadipuram to the attention of the world.

Agriculture and allied occupations were the principal means of livelihood of the ordinary rural population. Agricultural production was carried out under the Pattam tenancy system. During the 19th century, indigenous technology for the extraction and production of iron existed in this region. In 1826, the Englishman Henry Hamilton Buchanan discovered in this Panchayat that the laterite containing iron ore could be used for building construction. With the commencement of iron production using modern technology, the traditional indigenous techniques gradually became obsolete.

M.P. Narayana Menon, M.P. Kunjikkannan Menon and M.P. Govinda Menon, along with many young people under the leadership of the Paredath brothers, actively participated in the Indian freedom struggle from this region. Angadipuram had the distinction of serving as an important centre for coordinating activities related to the freedom movement.

The Land Reform Acts of 1957 and 1967 brought revolutionary changes in landowner–tenant relationships. During the 1950s, migrant farmers from southern Kerala began settling in the hilly areas of the Panchayat.

Under the leadership of K. Seshayyar, a prominent citizen of Angadipuram, and Gilbert Gonsalves, a Christian priest, more than a thousand people participated in voluntary labour (Shramadanam) and completed the Angadipuram–Pariyapuram road.

The first educational institution in the Panchayat was Kottapparamba School. The school has a history of more than a century.

AGRICULTURAL HISTORY

Agriculture and allied occupations were the principal means of livelihood of the ordinary rural population. Agricultural production was carried out under the Pattam tenancy system. The cropping pattern of the region was determined mainly by the agricultural climate.

In earlier times, paddy cultivation had the greatest prominence in the Panchayat. Long-duration crops were cultivated only in Kanacharthu lands. Kari, Arivakari, Chenkayma, Mundakan, Thekkanchira, Cherukayma, Attakayma and Thavalakkannan were among the major varieties of paddy seeds cultivated in the region.

At a time when agriculture was an integral part of everyday life, recreational activities were also closely associated with agricultural practices. Kalapootu and Pothupootu, traditional bullock and buffalo competitions, were important agricultural sporting events.

Festival seasons also served as occasions for agricultural fairs and markets. Festival grounds functioned as centres for the sale of agricultural products and agricultural implements.

In the dry-land areas, coconut, arecanut, rubber and cashew were cultivated on a commercial basis, along with various intercrops.

CULTURAL HISTORY

The eleven-day “Angadipuram Pooram” held at the legendary Thirumandhamkunnu Temple is described as the national festival of Valluvanad. The Itthepuram Sree Krishna Temple, where the revered poet Poonthanam is believed to have installed the deity, is an important pilgrimage centre visited by numerous devotees. The Muslim place of worship at Puthanangadi is also notable for its distinctive features.

Angadipuram village was the birthplace of the literary creations of Poonthanam, the author of Jnanappana. This village, known for its historic Chaver Pattu and temple arts, also reflected, at the same time, many of the social and cultural characteristics associated with the landlord–tenant system.

Angadipuram, known as Vellattangadi, was also a major artistic and cultural centre of Valluvanad. Malayalam literature can never forget Nandanar, a native of this place and the author of several novels, including Unnikuttante Lokam.

Kochattil Balakrishna Menon, who was greatly admired by art lovers in Kerala, was born and brought up in Angadipuram. The region is also associated with Njeralath Rama Pothuval, the world-renowned exponent of Sopana Sangeetham who brought this traditional temple music to the wider public.

Koottil Kunjhan Menon, who developed a distinctive style in Kathakali; Kalamandalam Narayanan Nambissan, an expert in Kathakali percussion; Sadanam Vasudevan, renowned for Kathakali Kottu and Thayambaka; the brothers Krishnadas and Haridas; and film actor Kochattil Balakrishna Menon, who became notable through the song sequence “Kayalarikathu Valayerinjappol…” in the Malayalam film Neelakuyil, are among the personalities who brought the artistic heritage of Angadipuram to the world.

The Angadipuram Desasevini Reading Room and Library, established in the 1950s, and the Thirurkad Vijayan Memorial Library have played a leading role in the cultural activities of the Panchayat.

The major festivals celebrated in the Panchayat include the Pooram festival of Angadipuram Thirumandhamkunnu Temple, the Puthanangadi Nercha, and the church feasts at Valambur and Pariyapuram churches.

Traditional art forms such as Kolkali, Cherumakkali and Poothamkali continue to survive in the region even today.

It was during the period when the library movement was flourishing through collective organisation and active participation that the first reading room and library was established in Angadipuram Panchayat. The Angadipuram Desasevini Reading Room and Library was established during 1953–54. It was inaugurated by S.K. Pottekkatt, who had already established a prominent position in Malayalam literature at that time.

The establishment of the first library in the Panchayat not only fulfilled the cherished dream of the youth of that period but also gave birth to an institution capable of playing a leading role in the subsequent cultural activities of Angadipuram Panchayat.

The second library in the Panchayat was the Thirurkad Vijayan Memorial Library, established during 1959–60. It was founded through the efforts of the members of the Thirurkad Mahila Samaj, who were active during that period.