Pookkottukavu Grama Panchayath

History • Heritage • Culture

History of governance

With the introduction of the Panchayati Raj system in Kerala, the development activities of rural areas became more popular. As part of this, Pookkottukavu Grama Panchayat was formed in 1977 and implemented various schemes in the fields of roads, drinking water, sanitation, health, education, agricultural development and social welfare.

With the passage of time, Pookkottukavu Grama Panchayat has made remarkable strides in infrastructure development. Development of rural roads, drinking water projects, public health activities, Haritha Keralam projects, waste management system, digital services, women empowerment activities and livelihood projects implemented through Kudumbashree are some of the major milestones in the development journey of the Panchayat.

Ancient history

Pookkottukavu Grama Panchayath is located in Sreekrishnapuram block of Ottapalam taluk in Palakkad district and covers an area of 22.01 sq.km.It is bounded on the east by Srikrishnapuram and Kadambazhipuram panchayats, on the south by Thrikkadeeri and Ambalapara panchayats, on the west by Vellinezhi and Thrikkadeeri. This area was home to the masters of carving and astronomy. There were also people who made sculptures out of stone, wood and metal. This panchayat is the birthplace of the stone of Kathakali.

Freedom Struggle and People's Struggles

The Palakkad region, which includes Pookkottukavu, is one of the areas influenced by the ideals of the national freedom struggle. The national movements and social reform movements led by Mahatma Gandhi played an important role in fostering national consciousness and social harmony among the people of the Malabar region. Muthiyil Govindan Nair was a freedom fighter who received the Tamrapatra. K.V. Eswara Warrier was also a litterateur who played a leading role in the Quit India Movement, Temple Pravesh, Untouchability and Harijan Upliftment. Mappattumana Cheriya Parameswaran Namboodiripad (MCP) was a prominent figure in the freedom movement and social reform work in the thirties. Keezheyappattu Narayanan Nair and Kuravanthodi Narayanan Nair served in the INA and later participated in the freedom movement and were imprisoned. There are five people in this panchayat who have received the Tamra Patra for the freedom fighters.

Education and Social Growth

Schools have sprung up in this area since the beginning of the century. In 1902, Kulangara Madhavan Nair Elementary School was started by his son-in-law Gopalan Nair. He started the Munnurkot Panchama School. The untouchables were invited and educated by the upper castes. Later, the Panchama School was merged with the Elementary School. Gopalan Ezhuthachan started the Kalluvazhi School around this time. Pookottakavu and Punjapadam schools were also started. Later, Thanikunnu School, Kattukulam School and Munnurkode Government School were started. The role of K.V. Eswara Warrier and K.K. Kanur in the formation of Kattukulam High School is memorable.The Government High School at Munnur Kotte was upgraded to 101 by the Government UP School in Kattukulam High School 81 using the permission obtained to start a Higher Elementary School in Sivamath during the period 1947-48.More than a few years ago, the construction was carried out under the leadership of Troton Sahib alias Notan, who was a revenue officer. The first survey was conducted through Kadambur and Thanikunnu Mangalam. In 1940, the Karimpuzha-Ottapalam coal-fired service was started

Agricultural History

The people lived in a joint family system, concentrated in certain areas, the staple food was rice and rice. In peasant families, from the beginning of Vishu to the end of Karkidakam, the meal consisted of rice and porridge twice, and in the rest of the season, rice and porridge. This did not apply to the feudal families. The rest of the people were semi-starved and starving. They ate sesame powder, apple powder, bamboo sticks and wild tubers. Theft of food items was ubiquitous, there were strict restrictions on the manner of dress as part of feudalism, tea was a rare beverage, banana stems and leaves were dried for laundry, garlic and sugar cane.It was also used for rubbing and bathing, such as Nenmeni, Vakatholi, Enja, Silver Leaf, Thiruthali, Kurunthotti, etc. Public celebrations and needs were fulfilled in community gatherings. It was together. The farmers were prominent. The ruler at the village level was the ruler. Adhikari was a wealthy farmer. Adhikari's headquarters was known as Kacheri. Paddy, coconut, cowpea, banana and vegetables are the main agricultural crops that have come after the formation of the Panchayat. Farmers' collectives, water conservation schemes and assistance schemes of the Department of Agriculture have strengthened agricultural development.