History of Grama Panchayat
Vellavoor Panchayat, located along the northern bank of the Manimala River over a length of 13 km, comprises the areas (karas) of Vadakara, Kayanikkad, Kunnumbhagom, Erathuvadakara, Vellavoor, Thazhathuvadakara, and Koolathurprayar. It shares its borders with Chirakkadavu, Manimala, Kottangal, Anikkad, Nedumkunnam, Kangazha, and Vazhoor Grama Panchayats.
During the royal reign, 956 acres of land were granted from the royal palace to Puthiyamannil Kanakku Padmanabha Pillai. Since this land was granted to the Vellalas, the place came to be known as 'Vellalarude Ooru' (land of the Vellalas). It is believed that the name 'Vellavoor' was derived from this phrase over time. The Vellavoor kara covers an area of approximately 5 sq. km, bounded by the Vellavoor Stream, Kuzhichitta Kal, Erathuvadakara, and the Manimala River.
This scenic Panchayat is rich with hills, rock formations, valleys, fields, and small rivers. Homesteads that once cultivated coconut, arecanut, tapioca, ginger, sugarcane, paddy, and coffee have today been largely replaced by rubber plantations.
Culture, Heritage, and Sacred Places Sacred groves (Kavukal) associated with temples were an integral part of the region's customs and culture. At one time, many homesteads in this Panchayat were rich with groves. Providing perennial water sources, these sacred groves were deeply linked to environmental balance, though they have now reached a state of near extinction.
Key natural and historical landmarks reflecting rural charm include:
Chuvattadipara: A rock believed to bear the footprint of Lord Ayyappa.
Puliyala: A cave at Kizhakke Para.
Manimala Kochupalam: An ancient bridge whose exact age remains unknown.
Kulathurmoozhi Thuruthu: A lush green riverine island formed by the Manimala River before it leaves the Panchayat boundaries.
Puncha Fields of Perungavu.
Places of Worship and Festivals The Panchayat houses numerous places of worship for Hindu, Christian, and Muslim communities, including temples over 400 years old.
Hindu Temples: Kulathungal Temple, Kadayanikkad Sree Bhagavathi Temple, Kadayanikkad Sree Dharmashastha Temple, Mukhyappurath Sree Bhagavathi Temple, and Trikkannapuram Shiva Temple.
Christian Churches: Catholic churches including Manimala St. Basil’s Church, Thazhathuvadakara Lourdes Matha Church, and Perungavu St. Thomas Church. Other denomination churches include Salvation Army, CSI, CMS, Pentecostal, Anglican Church, and Zion Gospel Church.
Islamic Worship Places: Erathuvadakara Muslim Mosque, alongside prayer halls (Namasakarapallis) at Thazhathuvadakara and Manimala.
Multi-day cultural programs and gatherings are held in connection with annual temple and church festivals. The annual Padayani festival celebrated during the month of Makaram at the Kottangal Devi Temple (situated close to Vellavoor and said to have formerly been part of it) is a famous event in Central Travancore. Ancient art forms like Velakali, Kolam Thullal, Kalakettu, Thozhuvam exhibition, and Adavi are still performed during this Padayani.
Arts, Literature, and Libraries Vellavoor has a rich cultural history. A Kathakali troupe established in 1938 (1114 ME) under the leadership of Sree Vavolickal Narayanan no longer exists today. Ancient folk arts such as Harijan Kolkali, Kalakettu, and Mudiyattam were traditionally performed during festivals. Kadayanikkad Konattu Govindan and Madhavan led a Nadaswaram troupe here. Though traditional occupations like Velan Pravruthi and Mannan Pattu have faded, Thiruvathira performance remains customary in several Hindu households on special occasions. Efforts continue to promote local arts with support from the Kerala Folklore Academy and various cultural organizations.
Key institutions driving public knowledge and sports include:
Libraries: Sreevilasam Reading Room (est. 1927), Kadayanikkad Tagore Reading Room, Kulathurprayar Jaihind Library, Vellavoor Gramadeepam Granthasala, Erathuvadakara Cultural Centre, Thazhathuvadakara National Library, and Chuvattadipara Triveni Granthasala.
Clubs: Numerous arts and sports clubs operate across the Panchayat, alongside the active Manimala Lions Club.
Conventions and Notable Personalities
Conventions: The Hindu Religious Convention started at Kulathurmoozhi in 1960 is famous in Central Kerala and was attended by Indian Presidents Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, and Sree V. V. Giri. The Bible Convention started at Manimala Manalppuram in 1977 attracts wide attention for its spiritual discourses. The Feast of the Three Kings (Pooja Rajakkal) held at the beginning of the year brings a message of universal brotherhood.
Artists & Performers: Late artists include painter Sree K. R. Ramakkunju, Artist Vijayan, artist Sree Karunakaran Nair, and Kalamandalam Sukumaran Nair (Thullal). Prominent figures like Purushothaman Kartha (Thullal and dance), A. N. R. Pillai (famous Kathakuli artist who began his career in Kadayanikkad), Suchithra Unnikrishnan (artist and theater actor), Artist Soman, and Artist Mohanan Manimala hail from here. Kalamandalam Vijayan (teaching Kathakali abroad), Eeswaran Namboothiri, Kadayanikkad Raghunath, Pushpangadan, and Suresh Manimala continue to contribute to the arts.
Literary & Educational Figures: Sree Raman Pillai Sir (promoted Hindi before it became the national language), his son and literary figure Sree Mohan D. Kangazha, and Sree Philip Manimala elevated the region’s status in literature and education.
Freedom Fighters: Sree P. M. Narayanan Elanjimannil, Sree E. J. Cherian Vattakkavil, Sree Gopalan Nair, and Sree Mathai Mathew Maliyekkal selflessly served during the freedom struggle.
Political & Social Leaders: Palathu Sree Parameswara Kurup, who conceptualized Gram Swaraj, established the Sreevilasam Reading Room nine decades ago and founded SKV NSS School. Adv. Kadayanikkad Purushothaman Pillai led progressive movements and represented the Vazhoor Assembly constituency in 1967. Vellavoor Sukumaran was elected as an Idukki District Panchayat Member from Peerumade. Cardinal Antony Padiyara, a pride of Kerala, was born here. Prominent officials include Alphons Kannanthanam, T. D. Thankachan, K. P. M. Rawther Kizhakkeyil, V. K. Damodaran Vakananal, and Babu Rajendran Puthenpurayil.
Traditional Medicine: Kadayanikkad Vanchiyolil Sree Narayanan Pillai (Kochejaman) was famous for toxicology (Visha Chikitsa), Sree C. N. Damodaran Nair for elephant medicine under the Travancore Devaswom Board, and Karippal Sree Parameswaran Pillai for smallpox treatment.
Agricultural History and Panchayat Formation In the past, most agricultural land was held by three major landlords: Puthiyamannil Kanakku Padmanabha Pillai, Chilambaneth Eeswara Pillai (Kaduwa Narayanan Pillai), and Aaryattu Aasan. Agricultural workers organized protests after 1952 against the eviction of tenant workers from these lands. The peasant worker strikes during 1952–54 in the Perungavu region were led by emerging progressive movements.
While many families migrated into the Panchayat over time, numerous families sold their lands after 1950 and migrated to Thovala and Kattappana in Idukki district, as well as Kannur and Kasaragod in Malabar.
Vellavoor Panchayat was formed on September 18, 1953. The first governing committee comprised:
President: Sree P. A. Narayanan B.A., B.L.
Vice President: Sree P. G. Joseph Eruthanattu
Members: Sree T. P. Krishna Pillai Kallikkal, Sree E. Kumara Pillai Puthenpurayil, Sree K. E. Madhava Kaimal Aaryattu, Sree Varghese Mathai Njaliparambil, and Sree M. P. Govindan (replaced by Sree K. Govindan upon resignation).
The Panchayat office initially operated at Thazhathuvadakara, moved to Vellavoor on August 11, 1954, returned to Thazhathuvadakara on December 18, 1956, and was later shifted to Manimala.
The second governing committee assumed power in 1963, with Sree V. N. Gopalakrishna Pillai followed by Sree E. J. Devasya as Presidents. The third committee was headed by Sree M. M. Joseph and Sree P. Sankaran Kutty Nair at different periods.
In 1958, following delimitation, 82 acres and 32 cents of land at Kulathur Kavumbhagom owned by Vellavoor Panchayat was merged into Kottangal Panchayat.
According to the 2011 Census, the Panchayat has a total population of 17,150 (8,351 males and 8,799 females). It holds the highest number of Scheduled Caste (SC) colonies in Kottayam district, with approximately 1,725 people living across 455 families in 9 SC colonies and 21 settlements.