History of Grama Panchayat

The Nannangadi, reminiscent of the Dravidians of the Sangha period, was found during the construction of the Ilanthikkara High School ground, which shows that this area was inhabited long ago and that the Dravidians were the earliest inhabitants. The trade relations with the Muziris may have paved the way for the migration of other communities and the present population of the panchayat may have formed. This trade relation may have also led to the introduction of Christianity. As happened everywhere else in the Middle Ages, the entire land was the property of the gods and the Brahmas. The rural land that was under the landlords of Paliyam, Keezhoor Mana, Panakkattumana, Panamana, Kanjirakkattu etc. came to the real farmers after the land reform laws. The land reform law ignited the socio-economic changes of the village. The farmers who were degraded as tenants and sharecroppers woke up with renewed vigor and became the reason for unprecedented production in the agricultural sector. The spread of education had started long ago in this land, which is the meeting place of Tirukochi cultures. Initially, the schools were a few writing schools. However, in 1918, when A.G. Menon started a primary school in Puthanvelikara in memory of his ancestor, Diwan Peshkar Sankunni Menon, institutionalized education began. Then, in 1926, SHJLPS was started under St. George's Church in Ilanthikkara. In 1948, Dr. C.K. Sankaran established the first high school in the panchayat, Ilanthikkara High School. The coir industry was the main traditional industry in the panchayat. The handloom industry, which was once the main source of income for the country, is in a very poor condition today. A Kasturba Kendra under the All India Kasturba Trust has been functioning near the Ilanthikkara LP School since 1948. When analyzed in terms of employment availability, the leading industry in the panchayat is the brick industry. Puthanvelikara is a panchayat where Hindus and Christians live almost equally. There are 7 main Hindu temples and many family local temples. It is said that the oldest Malavana Shiva temple and the Vishnu temple in Thrikkayil existed proudly at about the same time and festivals were held, which proves that there was a Saiva-Vaishnava harmony in the panchayat. There are nine major Christian churches in the panchayat. The Thuruthur Palliperunnal is one of the biggest festivals in the district.