History of Grama Panchayat
History of Grama Panchayat
Here is the English translation of the text:
The present-day Muzhappilangad Panchayat was originally part of the old Chirakkal Taluk. Before the formation of Kerala in 1956, it was known as the Muzhappilangad Amsom (revenue village), which comprised three regions: Muzhappilangad, Mammakunnu, and Edakkadangadi. During the old feudal landlord system, the land property here belonged to the Chirakkal and Arakkal royal families, as well as the Oorpazhachi Devaswom. The ownership (janmam) of the land under the control of the Arakkal Raja was held by certain Keyis (a prominent Muslim merchant family). The Sree Kurumbakavu Bhagavathi Temple, Ganapathi Temples, and Muthappan Madappuras are ancient Hindu places of worship here. Elders say that both these places of worship were destroyed during Tipu Sultan’s military invasion. There is a popular legend that during Tipu’s invasion, the Sree Kurumbakavu Temple was protected from attack by cutting branches of Kampatti trees to hide and cover it. Among the Muslim mosques, the oldest is the Juma Masjid at Pachakkara. Seethi's Mosque, Mullapram Mosque, and Mammakunnu Mosque are also very old. There are historical monuments proving that Sree Narayana Guru visited Muzhappilangad twice. In connection with Guru's visits, two mathams (monasteries) were established here. The Vidyavilasam Matham was established first. Following this, Guru established the Bhaktavilasam Matham on top of Bhoothathan Hill. Kambil Raman Vaidyar (known as Paravaidyar) and Kadachira Kannan Vaidyar were renowned figures of the past in the field of traditional local medicine. In the early days, the Gurukula system of education prevailed here. The Ezhuthupallikkoodam (traditional school) established by Sree Pokkan Gurukkal was the first school. It later transformed into the Muzhappilangad East Elementary School. The modern education system came into existence after 1957. The first post office here was established around 1940. In those days, horse-drawn carriages were used to transport postal items. In the early days, a police aid post was set up for police services. Later, with the reorganization of the police force, the Edakkad Police Station was established in Muzhappilangad Panchayat. The A. Chandu Mootha Chettiyar Memorial Library, established in the Kannan Vayal area during 1935–36, was the first library in Muzhappilangad. This institution was inaugurated by A.K.G. (A.K. Gopalan) in a function presided over by K.T. Chandu Nambiar. The Mahadeva Desai Memorial Library and Reading Room, which currently operates in the Cultural Center, was established in Kulam Bazar during 1947–48 in memory of Sri Mahadeva Desai, who was the private secretary to Mahatma Gandhi. Art forms like Kurathiyattam and Ottamthullal used to be performed under the leadership of Malabar Raman Nair and Koman Nair. Ritual art forms such as Kothamoorie, Aadi, Vedan, Kaalan, Keelipaathram, Thachuzhiyan, and rituals to ward off the evil eye (Kannerudhosham Maattal) were also practiced here. Today, all of these have become remnants of history. Folk art forms like Kolkali and Poorakkali were also widespread. There used to be three ferries to connect with the neighboring areas of Meloor and Dharmadam. Road transport to Thalassery via the National Highway became possible after the Moidu Bridge was built in 1930. The first bus service through this route was operated by a company named the British Mahe Bus Service. It was a petrol-powered vehicle. The Kulamkadavu Road, built in 1958, was the first road constructed by the Panchayat. It was in 1901 that a train passed through the Panchayat area for the first time. Two ferries, Mammakunnukadavu and Muzhappilangadkadavu, were also operational. Around 1955, a boat service was operated through the Anjarakandy River from Koodakkadavu to Mumbaram. This was run by the 'Pannyankandi Boat Service' of Parassinikadavu. However, it existed only for a very short period. The Fisheries Dispensary, established in 1987, is the only hospital set up here.