Chathamangalam Grama Panchayat – Historical, Educational and Cultural Background

The major roads in Chathamangalam Grama Panchayat date back to very ancient times. The Koolimad–Kalanthode Road and the Arayankode–Chittarippilakkal Road are among the oldest. The large shade trees along the roads and the wide roads themselves are distinctive features of this Panchayat.

In the past, the agricultural and social relationships in the region were based on the traditional Jenmi–Kudiyan (landlord–tenant) system. The land reforms brought significant changes, and although there was progress in the agricultural sector compared to earlier times, the lack of widespread adoption of modern farming methods prevented a substantial increase in production. It can be said that intercropping has almost completely disappeared from the agricultural fields today.

The extensive cultivation of bananas in paddy fields and the conversion of many paddy fields into arecanut plantations have significantly affected domestic rice production. The weekly market that had been actively functioning in Chathamangalam town since ancient times gradually declined by the 1990s, which had a considerable impact on the local market system. Artisans and farmers from this Panchayat and neighbouring areas used to sell their products at this market. People also purchased their weekly requirements and other essential commodities from this weekly market.

The Regional Poultry Farm, the largest poultry-breeding centre in the district, is located in Chathamangalam. The Chathamangalam Sub-Registrar Office was established in 1906. The Mini Industrial Estate, which was started in 1975, is located at Kattangal.

Cottage industries such as the production of lime and traditional processed products, as well as traditional occupations such as the manufacture of woven mats (parambu), baskets (kutta), winnowing trays (muram), and pottery, are still carried out in different parts of the Panchayat. However, the sectors producing mats, baskets, and winnowing trays are in decline. The pottery industry is also facing a similar situation.

Concrete buildings became widespread in the area only after 1965. Before that, houses were mainly constructed using traditional mud blocks. A traditional method of wall construction using wooden poles and bamboo between the mud blocks was also prevalent here.

The Panchayat still has centuries-old houses and places of worship that remain remarkable for their architectural beauty and construction techniques.

Various systems of healthcare, including allopathy, Ayurveda, homoeopathy, and naturopathy, are practised here. In earlier times, people mainly depended on traditional local and indigenous forms of treatment. There are also practitioners in the Panchayat who are skilled in Marma therapy, a traditional therapeutic practice.

The Homoeopathic Hospital at Nairkuzhi, established in 1973, the Ayurveda Dispensary at Vellannur, established in 1978, and the Primary Health Centre at Choolur, established in 1988, are the major government healthcare institutions in the Panchayat.

Chathamangalam Panchayat remains relatively underdeveloped in the industrial sector.

Educational History

Chathamangalam is a Panchayat that has made considerable progress in the field of education. The Chathamangalam Government Lower Primary School, which began functioning during the first decade of the twentieth century; the Aided Lower Primary School at Thathoor, in a Muslim-majority area; and the Chathamangalam Government Welfare Lower Primary School, which functioned under the Harijan Welfare Department, played a decisive role in the development of education in the region.

The Chathamangalam Aided Upper Primary School was once the only major source of upper-primary education even for people from neighbouring areas such as Kunnamangalam and Mukkam.

However, the people of the region had to organise various protest movements, including bandhs, centred around Chathamangalam Panchayat to obtain secondary education facilities in the village. As a result of these efforts, a Government High School was established at REC in 1973.

Subsequently, in 1980, another Government High School was established at Nairkuzhi for the educational advancement of the backward areas.

Informal education and continuing education have played a crucial role in promoting education. Chathamangalam Panchayat has also been at the forefront in these areas. The Chathamangalam Public Reading Room and Library has played a leading role in promoting informal education and reading culture.

Cultural History

Traditional occupations such as the manufacture of woven mats, baskets, winnowing trays, and pottery continue to be carried out in various parts of the Panchayat.

Concrete buildings became widespread only after 1965. Before that, houses were mainly constructed using traditional mud blocks. A method of constructing walls using wooden poles and bamboo between the mud blocks was also prevalent.

There are several centuries-old houses and places of worship in the Panchayat that continue to impress visitors with their architectural beauty and traditional construction techniques.

All major systems of healthcare, including allopathy, Ayurveda, homoeopathy, and naturopathy, are practised in the region. In earlier times, people mainly relied on local and traditional forms of medicine. There are also practitioners skilled in Marma therapy.

People belonging to different religious communities live together here in complete harmony. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and people belonging to various other communities reside in the Panchayat. There has never been even the slightest trace of religious hostility or communal conflict in this village.

There are numerous mosques, churches, and temples across the Panchayat. The region is also home to many Kavus (sacred groves) that are renowned for the traditional Theerayattam festivals.

The Areekulangara Devi Temple in the Panchayat is as famous as the Kadampuzha Temple. The annual Thathoor Shuhada Nercha is also well known. Its history dates back to the period of the Khilafat Movement. Devotees from within and outside the Panchayat, irrespective of caste or religion, attend the Thathoor Nercha.

The Mount Hermon Aramana at Kattangal, which serves as the headquarters of the Malabar Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, and the Morning Star Church, a place of worship of the Roman Catholic community, are also located in this Panchayat.

The cultural renaissance that accompanied the national movement also created significant changes in Chathamangalam. There are arts clubs and cultural organisations in different wards that lead and promote cultural activities.

The Chathamangalam Public Library is an A-Class Library and has played an important role in promoting reading and cultural activities in the region.