Vannappuram
Grama Panchayat

Social, Migration, Cultural and Development History of Vannappuram Grama Panchayat

Social History

Historical evidence suggests that tribal communities inhabited the Vannappuram region more than a thousand years ago. Ancient inscriptions found at Korambanalloor near Vannappuram, along with the remains of house foundations and ancient wells believed to have been used during that period, point to the existence of early settlements in the area.

Several ancient temples, including Kanjirakkad Sree Mahadeva Temple, Koovappuram Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, and Thekkechira Temple, reflect the region’s rich cultural heritage. Stone remains of ancient temple structures have also been discovered in the Mullankuthy–Arapuzha area. Based on its architectural features, the sanctum sanctorum (Sreekovil) of Kanjirakkad Temple is believed to be over a thousand years old.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the area formed part of the erstwhile Kingdom of Travancore. The Kaliyar–Vannappuram region was then under the control of local feudal families, including the Mannatharaykkal Karthas and the Manjappilly Elayadathu nobles. In 1975, the Travancore Government issued orders declaring the area as reserved forest. Landholders within the forest area subsequently applied for ownership rights. During this period, large tracts of land were leased from the Manjappilly Elayadathu family by a person named Oommen from Alappuzha for a period of ninety years. Later, these lands were leased to British planters, leading to significant changes in agricultural practices. Coconut and other traditional crops were gradually replaced by rubber plantations introduced by the British.

Migration History

As a prominent settlement region, Vannappuram has witnessed numerous struggles related to land ownership and agricultural development. Beyond social and communal divisions, the area has been the site of several collective movements aimed at securing land and livelihood rights.

In 1942, during the severe food shortage experienced in Travancore under the administration of Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer, extensive marshlands were opened for paddy cultivation across Kerala. As part of this initiative, approximately 600 acres of marshland in the Vannappuram region were reportedly allocated for cultivation.

Another major phase of migration took place during the 1930s. During this period, indigenous communities were already residing in areas such as Mullarigad, Pattayakkudy, Valpara, and Kallippara. Over the next fifteen years, settlers transformed large stretches of forest land into agricultural fields. Facing challenges such as wild animals, venomous reptiles, malaria, and difficult terrain, these pioneers successfully established thriving agricultural settlements.

The implementation of land reform legislation later benefited agricultural labourers in Vannappuram, enabling many landless families to acquire ownership of land for the first time.

Cultural History

Among the earliest religious institutions in the Panchayat are Kanjirakkad Temple, Koovappuram Temple, Thekkechira Temple, and Perumbuzha Church.

St. Rita’s Church, Kaliyar, was established on 21 May 1941. Other early places of worship include Mullankuthikavu Temple, Shanthimukku Temple, Pattekkudy Kumbalaman Temple, Mullarigad Durga Devi Temple, Mullarigad Juma Masjid, and Mar Gregorios Mar Thoma Church.

Vannappuram Juma Masjid, with Venmattom as its centre, was established in 1961.

One of the most significant cultural institutions in the region was the Kaliyar National Library, founded in 1950 under the leadership of J. Joseph Thoppil. In the early years, education was provided through informal village schools. Later, local residents contributed funds and voluntary labour to construct a school building in Vannappuram. This institution eventually evolved into SNM High School.

St. Mary’s High School, established in 1951, became the first high school in the Panchayat. The establishment of Newman College in Thodupuzha further accelerated educational advancement in the region.

Development History

The development of Vannappuram has been shaped by healthy competition among local leaders and communities. Thomman Joseph Nambyaparambil of Kaliyar and Mathai Iype Nedumthadathil of Vannappuram actively competed to bring greater development to their respective regions.

The present alignment of the Kakkadassery–Kaliyar Road was achieved largely through the efforts of Mathai Iype. In 1967, a bridge was constructed across the Kaliyar River. Although there was considerable debate regarding whether the bridge should be built at Kaliyar or Thennathoor, a memorandum submitted to the Governor by Kandoth Sir ultimately resulted in its construction at Kaliyar. The bridge played a crucial role in improving transportation and stimulating regional development.

Following the food shortage of 1942, migrant farmers and agricultural labourers expanded cultivation beyond paddy fields. Crops such as tapioca, horse gram, beans, and pigeon pea were widely cultivated. During the early 1950s, coconut, arecanut, and various fruit trees were introduced, followed later by rubber cultivation.

Traditional rice varieties cultivated in the region included Chembavu, Ittikannan, Thekkanmunda, Vellaran, Vellaperuvazha, Kureekkanni, and Karuthakareekkannan.

Life during the early settlement period was extremely challenging. In 1935, three deceased persons in the Pandarakuthu area could not be transported to a church for burial and had to be kept for three days due to the lack of transportation facilities. Attacks by wild animals such as tigers and bears were common, even during daylight hours. A traveller was reportedly attacked by a bear near Mundanmudi, and in 1955, a survey worker named Thankappan from Alappuzha was killed by an elephant while participating in the Kannadi Survey.

The introduction of bus services marked a major turning point in the Panchayat’s development. The first bus service commenced in 1962, significantly improving connectivity and transportation. While paddy cultivation was once the dominant agricultural activity, many fertile paddy fields have since been converted into garden lands. Today, rubber cultivation is the principal agricultural activity and remains a major contributor to the local economy.