Panchayat History
From ancient times, paddy cultivation was the principal agricultural activity in Alanallur, while rubber cultivation was very limited. Coconut cultivation was also not as widespread as it is today. In the olden days, the extent of agricultural land owned by a family was considered a measure of the family’s prestige and status.
Pattalloor Namboothiri and Mankada Kovilakam were the major landlords who controlled a large portion of the land in this region. The lands that the landlords donated for the administration and maintenance of temples later became known as Devaswom lands.
The first land survey was conducted in 1896. Since many records were lost during the Malabar Rebellion and other periods of unrest, re-survey operations were subsequently carried out in Karkkidamkunnu and Edathanattukara.
The NSS Estate was established at Edathanattukara in the 1940s. It was from this period that rubber cultivation began to gain prominence in the area.
The landlords did not deal directly with the tenants. Rent collection and other matters were handled through intermediaries. During the 1940s, the rent was as low as one-quarter anna or half an anna. Paddy was mainly paid as rent. Agricultural labourers were paid wages in the form of three narayam of paddy for men and two narayam for women. Sixty percent of the rent was measured during the month of Kanni and the remaining forty percent during the month of Thulam. Rent was collected using a traditional measuring vessel known as the Pattappara, which was also called the Mudrappara.
Mankada Kovilakam was the largest landlord in Alanallur Panchayat. They owned approximately 22,000 para of paddy-producing tenancy land. They also possessed a large granary (Pathayam) capable of storing 6,000 para of paddy. All the labourers used to carry the paddy to the granary as head-loads.
The Ezhuthachan school that existed at Malikkunnu was the oldest centre of education in the region. The Vattamannapuram A.M.L.P. School, established in 1915, is the oldest formal school in the area. In 1956, a high school was established at Alanallur under the Malabar District Board. The Edathanattukara High School was established later.
During those days, the majority of school students were boys. Encouragement for women’s education began to increase only after the 1960s.
One of the personalities associated with the freedom struggle who deserves special mention is M. P. Ramachandra Menon of Alanallur.
The eight-day hunger strike undertaken by Kongassheeri Krishnan in 1956 in connection with the struggle at the NSS Estate was particularly significant. It can be described as one of the largest labour struggles in Alanallur Panchayat. The agitation, which began in protest against the dismissal of all the workers of the estate in 1956, continued for more than a year.
Alanallur also experienced unrest during the period of the Malabar Rebellion.
Alanallur Panchayat was formed in 1963. Parokode Kunjimuhammad Haji was its first Panchayat President.
The Alanallur Service Cooperative Bank was established in 1946. Ramachandra Menon was its first President.
An Ayurvedic hospital was established in Alanallur in 1930, followed by the establishment of a Government Hospital in 1961. Bus services began in Alanallur in 1939.
Temples and mosques have played an important role in the history of Alanallur since ancient times. Most of the traditional art forms prevalent in the Panchayat are closely associated with religious and ritual practices. Poothan, Theyyam, Kolkali, Cherumakkali, Pulluvan Pattu, Thuyilunarthu Pattu and Kalam Pattu are among the major traditional art forms practised in the region.
Pulluvan Pattu is performed by traditional artists who come mainly from Melattur. The Panchayat has also produced numerous theatre artists through the activities of various cultural associations. In this regard, the Alanallur Kala Samithi, established in 1952, played a significant role.
The village has produced numerous actors, singers and painters who have achieved recognition at the state level. Vidwan Isahaq Master, the first Muslim scholar to translate the Bhagavad Gita into Malayalam, and Njeralath Ramapothuval, a nationally renowned exponent of Sopanam music, were born in this Panchayat.
The Alanallur Kala Samithi, established in 1952, also served as an important centre for social and cultural renaissance activities. It had an excellent library and became a vibrant centre for discussions and activities related to social reform and cultural awakening.