History
Old Administrative System and Social Life
Administration: In ancient times, the region was ruled by local chieftains and 'Adhikaris' (officials). The Adhikari was vested with the authority to try minor cases and pass sentences, and so the people of that era called the Adhikari or 'Village Munsiff'.
Land System (Janmi-Kudiyan): The entire control of the land held by tenants (Kudiyans) was vested with the landlord (Janmi). There was a system where tenants had to pay an annual rent (Purappad) in cash payment and goods to the Janmi for the land leased for 12 years. Violation of this agreement between land owner and tenant, would result in eviction of the latter.
Travel: Landlords and local rulers primarily travelled in a Manchal (a cloth hammock carried by a few people).
Social Customs: Wedding ceremonies and serving of food would only begin after the arrival of the principal dignitary of the area. If the dignitary could not attend, the ceremony would commence only after the stick sent as his representative was hung in the wedding pandal during the Early 20th Century.
Standard of Living: Life was very different from today.
Dress: Many women did not wear blouses or cover their bosom. Muslim women wore a 'Kaach Mundu', a tightly-fitting blouse, and a black scarf.
Caste Discrimination: Wearing slippers and growing a moustache were allowed only for upper castes (Savarnas).
Scarcity and Rationing: There was a severe shortage of food grains, kerosene, sugar, and cloth. It was difficult even to get cloth to wrap a dead body. Jaggery was used instead of sugar even in weddings.People received only a 'aazhakku' (a small measure) of rice from the Control Peedika (Ration Shop). Cloth was also rationed .Due to the kerosene shortage, people used lamps fuelled by a particular oil.
Houses and Utensils: Most houses were thatched with palm leaves and coconut leaves and to prevent the leaves from rotting quickly, a 'Chimney' was kept in the veranda to spread smoke in the house. Most houses had only earthen pots; a rare few had 'Cheena Bharani' (Chinese jars). A 'Kuthupaala' was used to draw water from the well.
Housing: In the early 20th century, most dwellings were thatched sheds ('Chettapura'). Houses made of laterite blocks and stone used. There were no light and ventilation, and so the number of windows was very limited. Tiled roofs and concrete roofs were rare. A large section of the population lived depending upon others' land and did not have ownership rights even for 10 cents of land.
Economic Activities
Main Occupations: The majority earned a living through labour, primarily clearing bushes and vegetation for cultivation and other agricultural activities.
'Pattam Kodukkal' (Leasing Crops): To meet urgent needs, commoners would lease out their cash crops like coconut, pepper, and areca nut. This system involved selling the estimated yield of a crop a year in advance. The collection of 'Pattam' usually happened on 'Thulam Pathu' (the tenth day of the Malayalam month Thulam).
'Parichennathinu Vikkal': Another existing system was selling the crop after harvesting and measuring it.
'Panam Payattu' (Money-exchange): During the rule of the chieftains, landlords organized this game for financial gain. It was also an important bond of friendship among the people.
Wedding Customs :Wedding celebrations and customs were very different from today.
Nair Community: The marriage ceremony was called 'Pudamuri'. The groom's family would go to the bride's house with the wedding cloth, and the very next morning, they would return with the bride after the ceremony.
Muslim Community: The wedding was a three-day celebration.
Day 1: 'Puthiyappila Pokku' (Groom's arrival).
Day 2: 'Puthiyappilaye Vilichu Salkkarikkal' (Feasting the groom's party), known as 'Onnam Vili' (First Call) and 'Randam Vili' (Second Call).
The bride would be taken to the groom's house only after six months or a year, which was also a big ceremony.
Ezhava Community: All marriage celebrations took place during the daytime.
'Panam Oppikkal': Among Muslims, a system called 'Panam Oppikkal' (Arranging Money) was existed to collect funds for the wedding.
Administrative and Political Milestones
First People's President: In 1939, M. P. Kunhikkelappan Nambiar was elected as the first democratic President of the Panchayat Governing Body (through taxpayer suffrage).
Second President: In 1953, Thoduvayil Krishnan Master became the Panchayat President based on an election.
National Movement: The activities of the national movement were first initiated here by K. Kunhiramakurup.
Trade and Transport
Old Market (Puthiyangadi): About 200 years ago, goods were brought by water from Vadakara, Mahe, and Koyilandy to a market here (today's Puthiyangadi). Puthiyangadi was also the main copra trading centre in the early days. Pakramthalam-Kainatti Road was used for transportation even in early times.
Places of Worship and Culture
Worship: The Panchayat has several places of worship, including Hindu temples like Kottembrum Temple, Vengeri Temple, and Kakkannur Temple,Kaliyamvelli Temple and Muslim mosques like Edachery Juma Masjid and Thalayil Masjid. The festivals and 'Nerchas' (offerings) associated with these places reflect the cultural richness of the land.
Notable Personalities: E.V. Kumaran, K. Balan Master, and A. Kanaran, who were active in politics, are a source of pride for the Panchayat.
Cultural Institutions: Cultural progress has been supported by various institutions, including A.K.G. Vayanasala (Library), Gramyakalasamskarika Vedi, Public Library, Vijaya Kalavedi, Sargam Thudharvidyakendram at Edachery, and Volga Kalakendram in Kottembrum, and Jnanodaya Vayanasala at Thalayi.