Kottakkal
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Kottakkal (literally Land of the Fort) is a town and a municipality in Malappuram District in Kerala, south India having 32 Wards. The National Highway 17 separates the municipality from Edarikkodu Panchayath on some part in the west.[1] It is an Eranadan town located 12 km south-west of Malappuram, the district headquarters, and 12 km from Tirur. The fast developing Kottakkal urban area is now spread up to different parts of neighboring panchayaths like Edarikkodu.
Kottakkal was one of the oldest Panchayath in Kerala, and is known for its ayurvedic institute, Arya Vaidya Sala Kottakkal, as well as its temple festival, Kottakkal pooram, celebrated over seven days during March–April.
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[edit] History
Kottakkal, formerly known as "Sweta Durgam" (White Fort) in Sanskrit, Venkalikotta and Venkitta Kotta in Malayalam, was a small military base of the Kingdom of Valluvanad until the first half of 15th century. Karuvayoor Moosad, the chief marshal and preacher of Moopil Nairs, lived here, and it may be the forts and castles constructed by him that were the origin of the name Kottakkal. The suburbs of Kottakkal were known as Canguvettikkadu and Eyyakkadu (Now Canguvetti is developing as a twin town to Kottakkal).
Karuvayoor Moosad assassinated Thinayancherry Elayath, one of the ministers of the Zamorin of Kozhikode (Calicut). Then Moonnarpadu Thampuran, the cousin of the Zamorin killed Karuvayoor Moosad in combat and restored control of the fort. The descendants of thampuran dwelt in Kottakkal thereafter.
The invasion of the de facto ruler of the kingdom of Mysore, Tippu Sultan, altered the course of Kottakkal's history. A kinsman of the Zamorin of Kozhikode who had been sheltered in Travancore, fearing the Mysore invasion, later settled in Kottakkal after the death of Tippu in 1799. Among them was Manorama Thampuratty, a female scholar, from whom the Kottakkal branch of the Zamorin dynasty grew.
Kottakkal challenged the British occupation by cultural confrontation. Probably this started with Kunhikuttan Thampuran, who translated the epic Mahabharata, inspired by the socio-religious reformation movement of the 19th century.[citation needed]
After this expression of the elegance of language[citation needed], P. S. Varier carried on the tradition. His attempts were closely related to the cultural resurrection of Kerala during the colonial period[citation needed]. He gave the local practice of medicine a new shape and dimension.[citation needed] He established a school of medicine in 1917 at Calicut with the idea of education and practice to the Arya Vaidya doctors, and later transferred this institution to Kottakkal. Many cultural, intellectual and other activities were centered in this institution[citation needed], including Kavana Kaumudi edited by Kavikula Guru P. V. Krishna Varier, Parama Valsam Theatre, Dhanwanthary Magazine, and a Kathakali troupe. Even though the perception of "Kerala unity" was visible in the works of Kunhikuttan Thampuran, the conception of a united Kerala materialized mostly[citation needed] through the Arya Vaidya Samajam founded by P. S. Varier in 1902. The Samajam was organized and operated on the political fields of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar.
All Indian villages were the focus of sudden agricultural developments in the beginning of the 20th century. However, such events did not affect Kottakkal due to the compassionate attitude of the landowners of Kizhake kovilakam. They were strict in matters of lease and they never tortured farmers. The general state of Hindu–Muslim landowner–tenant setup common to the Malabar area was prevalent in Kottakkal also. Kottakkal has had a history of profound religious harmony for centuries.[citation needed] The Moplah Rebellion of 1921, despite widespread riots, did not disturb the peace of this small village. The intervention of P. S. Varier and the forbearance of the kovilakam helped the situation not getting violent. Muslims under the leadership of Odayappurath Chekkutti from the nearby village Kalpakancheri guarded Kizhake kovilakam and Arya Vaidya Sala.[citation needed]
The Mappila Outrageous Act, passed as a result of the 1921 revolt, slowed down the political activities of Malabar generally. Kottakkal however, was little affected, and during this period the political activities were led by students of the Ayurveda College. Their attempt to celebrate National Day in 1937 was a declaration of solidarity with the Youth Leadership of Congress. Greater awareness of social justice and equality led to the establishment of the Navajeevan Yuva Jana Samajam, under the leadership of P. V. Krishna Varier, P. Sankara Varier, Pulickal Sooppi Kuttykakka and C. R. Varier. The principal aim of this organization was the eradication of untouchability and awareness against malign influences. This was the indication that the political activities of Kottakkal had transcended from intellectual exercises to new horizons of creativity.[citation needed] The political support of P. M. Krishna Menon from Ramanattukara and K. C. K. Raja expedited it.[citation needed] Kottakkal was brought to national attention when it staged the 1939 Parappur Kerala State Congress meeting. The slogan "Enemy of Unity, Enemy of Strike" was approved at this meeting. Farmers began to work as a part of National movement after this meeting, and many agricultural movements began in Kottakkal, Amariyil Kunhikomu being a leader. Many other societies were also formed in Mannazhi, Chengottur and Kottakkal-Kuttippuram and they struggled against agricultural debts.[citation needed]
In 1943, during attempts to eradicate cholera, a relief committee and an orphanage were set up in Kottakkal with the help of the Servants of India Society, to help the orphans left by cholera. This was achieved even while the country was suffering from the effects of World War II and famine. A Co-operative society was also established under the Presidency of P. K. Varier.[citation needed]
The development activities of women included modern publications such as Amritha Bhashini and Bala Chandrika, published by Kovilakam. Independence and socialism were discussed in these publications. The earlier women's movement was started by Vallikad Kamalakshi, Kunhanujatti Thampuratti, Madhavikutti Varier, V. P. Kalyani, and others.
[edit] Election
In the first election to new Municipality held in October 2010,UDF won[2] Bushara Shabeer and Paroli Moosakutty Haji of the IUML were elected as the first chairperson and vice-chairman respectively of Kottakkal municipality.[3]
[edit] Kottakkal Chanda (local fair/ local market)
Kottakkal chanda also known as Puthur Chanda has a colorful position in Kottakkal's history.During first half of 20th century Kottakkal chanda was one of the most dependable cattle fair in kerala.In that time economical stability of Kottakkal is fully depended upon Kottakkal chanda.Kizhakke kovilakam gave some place to Muslims or mappilas of Parappanangadi and Tirurangadi for trade and commerce.Firstly it was situated in Kottakkal Bus stand.Later it changed to present place.During the 1921, traders from Tirurangadi were the first informants of Mappila rebellion to Kottakkal area.Then mappilas were marched to Tirurangadi from kottakkal and gave some their own contribution to rebellion In that time Betal leaf and vegetables was most important commodity in market.Local peoples were sold their vegetabiles in market. Gulabi (its a type of tea) was the most dependable water for drink.Traders and buyers from different parts of Malappuram were gathering in every Saturday in week even today.So as far as Kottakkal concerned Saturday is market day. Kottakkal Chanda played a great role in the development of history.
[edit] Famous persons
- M. K. Vellodi
- Appu Varier, the first president of Kottakkal Panchayath.
- U. A. Beeran, former minister
- P.S.Varier, founder of arya vaidya sala kottakkal
- Dr.P.K Varier, managing trustee of Arya vaidya sala, Kottakkal
- P.Saidalavi, managing Director of TIP TOP Furniture
- Kottakkal Sivaraman, (Famous Kathakali artist)
- M. P. Abdussamad Samadani, (former Member of Parliament& Now MLA)
[edit] Basic Information of Kottakkal Municipality
| Area | 20.43 Km2 |
| Wards | 32 |
| Taluk | Tirur |
| Vehicle Registration No. | KL-55, KL-10 & KL-65 |
| Neighbouring Panchayaths | Edarikode, Parappur, Othukkungal, Ponmala and Marakkara |
| Post Offices | Kottakkal, Puthoor, Indianoor, Pathayakkallu, Kuttippuram, Pandamangalam, Cherushola |
[edit] Gallery
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Pond opposite Shiva temple
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An old temple
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An old temple
[edit] References
[edit] External Reference
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