History of Karivellur–Peralam Grama Panchayat

Social and Cultural Historical Background

Historians have recorded that Karivellur has been inhabited since ancient times. Remnants of the Megalithic Culture, dating approximately from 500 BC to AD 300, have been discovered in various parts of Karivellur–Peralam Grama Panchayat. The caves found in areas such as Puthur, Cheeta, Manakkad and Niduvappuram are megalithic burial monuments known as Muthumakkathazhi. These are burial chambers constructed of stone slabs. The front portion is closed with a rectangular stone slab, while the circular opening at the top is covered with a capstone.

The caves discovered in the Panchayat provide evidence supporting historians' view that the people associated with the Megalithic Culture generally used black-and-red pottery and possessed iron implements.

The presence of Buddhist and Jain monasteries in large numbers in the old Kolathunadu region—which was known as the Mushika Kingdom before the 11th century AD—is indicated by places such as Vaniyer Adimuchilottu and the Theeya sacred groves. Place names such as Pallikkoval, Pallikkeel Parambu and Pallikkandam also point towards the Buddhist and Jain heritage of Karivellur.

The name Palliyara, associated with the shrines of the Theeya community, the practice of lighting lamps there by priests known as Anthithiriyans, their practice of shaving their heads, and their observance of vegetarian food on certain special occasions are considered indications of Buddhist influence.

History of Local Development

A major portion of the villages of Karivellur and Peralam was under the control of the Chirakkal Kovilakam. There were also a few independent landlords. The areas under the control of Edamana Nambi and Vangatt Unithiri were strategically brought under the control of the Chirakkal Raja by taking advantage of their internal divisions.

There were several small-scale landlords belonging to different families and institutions, including Thazhakkattumana, Puthur Devaswom, Peralam Devaswom, Someshwari Devaswom, Kottoor Devaswom, Nellyeri Illam, Peralath Madathil Vaithippattar, and the Kaikottukadavu family, who were Muslim landlords.

The majority of the population consisted of tenant farmers. The occupational division associated with the caste system also existed in the region. Weaving, oil extraction, ironwork, masonry, toddy tapping, carpentry and cobbling were traditionally carried out as hereditary occupations by different communities.

Karivellur–Peralam has been a prominent centre of handloom textile production. Weaving was particularly widespread in the Theru area of Karivellur. In earlier times, yarn for weaving was brought from Kannur. During the golden age of handloom weaving, the Koozhithari system was prevalent in Karivellur. It was a method of weaving in which the shuttle was operated alternately with both hands.

Kuppadam, No. 10 Mundu and Thorthu were among the traditional textiles produced in Karivellur.

In 1884, the first indigenous vernacular school in Karivellur was established by Kadinjiyil Kelu Ezhuthachan, who was popularly known as Manyaguru.

In the early days, people travelled to distant places mainly on foot. However, the rulers and local chieftains travelled in palanquins (manchal), which were carried by members of the Mukaya community. Goods were transported either as headloads or by boats and other watercraft through rivers and streams. Along the roads, load-resting platforms (Chumaduthangi) and drinking-water shelters (Thanneer Panthal) were provided for travellers carrying loads from distant places.

The construction of a bridge across the Vellur River in 1952 brought significant changes to transportation in the region. Buses powered by coal-fired engines also operated in the area during that period.

History of Local Struggles

Karivellur occupies an important place in history as a centre of popular liberation struggles in which the national freedom movement against British imperialism and the peasant movement against the landlord system became closely intertwined.

The annual conferences of the Yuvak Sangham, held in 1936, 1937, 1938 and 1939, were attended by several prominent personalities, including A.K.G., K. Kelappan, Vagbhatananda, Barrister Nair, Swami Agamananda, M.T. Kumaran Master, Mahakavi Kuttamath, Krishnaprakasham, K. Damodaran and Kameshwar Rao.

As a result of the activities of the Indian National Congress and the Yuvak Sangham, awareness of rights and a sense of collective organisation began to spread widely among the people.

Reflecting the growing awareness among farmers, the Karivellur Farmers' Organisation, established in September 1935, had A.V. Kunjambu as its President and M.P. Appu Master as its Secretary. Under the leadership of the Farmers' Organisation, struggles against illegal exactions and eviction of tenants provided relief and encouragement to farmers.

The Aniyikkara Temple Satyagraha and the Panthibhojanam (community feast) held at Kozhummal, in which Nair women also participated, were among the activities that contributed to the social and cultural advancement of the people.

In the labour sector, trade unions became active particularly among handloom workers and beedi workers. The strike conducted by Bharat Beedi workers in 1945, demanding a wage of one anna for every thousand beedis, was particularly significant.

Cultural activities also played an important role in social awakening. Mythological dramas such as Devayani Charitham, staged under the guidance of Ayithala Ambu Ashan, and social dramas such as Pattabakki were among the notable examples of the cultural movement of the period.

The historic Karivellur Struggle of 20 December 1946 gave this region a prominent place on the political map of India.

The severe food shortage and black-market activities that followed the Second World War caused immense hardship to ordinary people. The Karivellur Struggle was a historic people's movement for food for thousands of hungry people, against the oppressive exactions of the landlord system, and, above all, for the freedom of the country.