Edavaka

Edavaka Grama Panchayat is situated in the Mananthavady Block of Mananthavady Taluk in Wayanad district. Spread across the villages of Nallurnad and Edavaka, the Panchayat covers an area of 47.26 square kilometres. This Panchayat consists of 19 wards. It is bounded on the north by the Mananthavady River, Thavinjal and Mananthavady Panchayats, on the east by Panamaram Panchayat, on the south by Vellamunda Panchayat, and on the west by Thondernad Panchayat. The Panchayat came into existence in 1962. From 1962 until January 1964, the administration was under a Special Officer. In 1964, the first elected governing body assumed office. The President of the first governing committee was P. Kunjiraman Nair. It was solely through the hard work of the settlers that the Panchayat reached the level of development it enjoys today. The “Edavaka Nelvithu” (paddy seed) produced by the farmers here is proudly regarded as the queen of Kerala’s paddy fields. Logan’s Malabar Manual mentions the Kuttiady–Pakranthalam–Mananthavady road. People travelled through this route and settled in the fertile lands of Wayanad. Around the year 1500, the Azhvanchery Nambyans, who lived in a place called Chovva near Kannur, migrated to Wayanad and settled in Edavaka village. They named the place “Chovva” after their native land. Merchants from Nadapuram, Kuttiady and nearby regions used to come here to collect the abundant paddy and cattle available in the area, exchanging them for coconut oil, coconuts, tobacco and other goods. Although most of these traders were Muslims, people from other religions also participated in trade. Several eminent personalities from this region actively participated in the Indian National Movement.

History

Socio–Cultural History

As in many other parts of India, Jainism once flourished in Wayanad. Evidence of this can be seen in places such as Sultan Bathery, formerly known as Ganapathivattam, Kalpetta, formerly called Kalbatta, and Kaniyambetta, formerly known as Kaniyampatta, where Jain temples and Jain families still exist. There is evidence that Jains once lived near the present-day Pandikkadavu area in Edavaka Panchayat. This area, once famous as “Tharakangadi,” now has only a handful of Jain families remaining. “Tharakan” was the title used for revenue officials of the old administration, and the name later continued as a hereditary title. A renovated Jain temple still exists there. During the Jain period, many renowned Ayurvedic physicians lived in this region. Since medicinal herbs and traditional medicines were easily available in the market, the place became famous as “Tharakangadi.” Pallikkal Angadi also developed in a similar manner. The word “Palli,” derived from Pali language, refers to a place where spiritual teachings, education, royal decrees and proclamations of local rulers were delivered. Therefore, it is assumed that places bearing the word “Palli” once housed such institutions. The Palliyarakkal Temple near Pandikkadavu also has a similar story associated with it.

Until the Kottayam kings invaded Wayanad, the spoken language in this region was Kannada. Various rulers ruled Wayanad at different periods, among whom the most powerful was the Beda Raja, known as “Battath Dwarai.” The Kottayam rulers invaded Wayanad and killed the Beda Raja. A large number of Jains who refused to surrender fled to Karnataka, while others escaped into the forests. Those who resisted were killed. Some of those who fled into the forests later returned to the villages and survived by doing labour work. They are believed to be the ancestors of the Paniya community. The influence of Kannada language in the Paniya dialect strongly supports this theory. Without being able to form a distinct cultural identity of their own, they continued as labourers through generations. Those who remained in the forests eventually became communities such as the Kurumars and Adiyars.

During the invasion by the Kottayam rulers, a Jain named Brahmasuri sought refuge by surrendering a sword kept at the Palliyara Temple before the king. The king ordered that the sword should be preserved and worshipped in Brahmasuri’s family home. Even today, a Jain family residing in Pandikkadavu continues this hereditary worship of the sword. Every year, this sword is ceremonially taken to Valliyoorkavu.

The first Muslim to settle in Pallikkal was Sheikh Shahul Murthala, who came to treat a girl belonging to a Hindu family residing there. Being a spiritually gifted man, he successfully cured the girl, and in gratitude, her father gifted him the land where the Kallyanath Palli now stands. Since the girl’s name was Kallyani, the mosque came to be known as “Kallyanath Palli.” Construction of the present mosque began in 1626. The mosque was built in temple architectural style, probably because Persian or Arabian architectural traditions had not yet influenced the region. Historical accounts mention that a person named Kurumbampath Chekkon Kakka was entrusted with the maintenance and protection of the mosque and its properties. The ancestors of the Muslim families now residing in Pallikkal migrated from Nadapuram and Kuttiady regions.

The king settled his military commanders at various places in Wayanad and appointed them as landlords and protectors of the land. Local chieftains and regional rulers were also appointed. Until then, people who came to settle in this region, including the present Panchayat area, could freely occupy any land they preferred. It was after this period that the Janmi–Tenant system came into existence in Wayanad.

The Kurichyar community were warriors who came to Wayanad as soldiers of the Kottayam rulers. During Pazhassi Raja’s war against the British, they became masters of guerrilla warfare tactics. Even today, they continue to preserve their traditional lifestyle. One of Pazhassi Raja’s chief commanders was Edachana Kunkan. His residence was located at Edachana Desam near Kallody. He was also the landlord and local chieftain of Edachana Desam. After the death of Pazhassi Raja, his forces were scattered across Wayanad. Subsequently, the British captured and executed Kunkan, confiscated his properties and brought the land under revenue administration.

The Thonichal Thira is an ancient festival conducted by the Kurichyar community with special rituals and traditions. Nature worship forms the essence of this festival. The remains of the palace built by Pazhassi Raja at Pandikkadavu can still be seen today.

Many individuals from this region rendered valuable services to the Indian National Movement. The National L.P. School established at Ayilamoola itself reflects patriotic spirit in its name. Among those actively involved in the freedom movement from this area, Chaliyadan Ahamed was a prominent figure.

Migration from Central Travancore began around 1940. Most migrants came from places such as Pala, Muvattupuzha and Koothattukulam. Food shortages caused by the Second World War led to this migration. They travelled by bus from Kozhikode and Thalassery, as the Mananthavady–Kozhikode road already existed at that time. Severe cold, heavy rains, floods, summer heat, dense forests, malaria, blood-sucking insects and wild animals made life extremely difficult, turning the settlers into courageous adventurers.

The first migrant to reach Kallody was Vettiyankal Mathai. He invited settlers arriving at Mananthavady to move towards Edavaka and Edachana regions. During those days, farmers occupied revenue lands in Edachana without payment and cultivated them. The hard work of these settlers alone transformed the Panchayat into what it is today. Priests such as Fr. Thomas Kalam, Fr. Lukose Poondikalam and Fr. Joseph Memen, who provided leadership to the settlers, remain memorable figures in local history.

Through collective voluntary labour, the settlers built and made roads in Edavaka Panchayat motorable. The Mananthavady–Kandathuvayal road passing through Edavaka was constructed in a single day through the voluntary labour of ten thousand people. Similar efforts were seen in Kammanam as well.

The contribution of settlers to the agricultural and economic development of Edavaka was immense. In the early days, tapioca, paddy and colocasia were the main crops cultivated here. The “Edavaka Nelvithu” produced by local farmers became famous throughout Kerala for its high yield and resistance, earning recognition from agricultural scientists. Most paddy fields today were originally ponds or marshlands that were later reclaimed and cultivated.

Earlier, only two lower primary schools existed in Pallikkal and Paingattiri for educational purposes. Despite such limitations, the first doctor from Wayanad hailed from this Panchayat. He was Dr. P. Narayanan Nair of Ellumandam, who held MBBS and DCH qualifications.

The annual feast of St. Mary’s Church at Kallody, Thonichal Thira, Chovva Temple Festival, Ambalavayal Thira, Sheikh Shahul Makham Uroos and Karimphilchal Thira are among the major festivals and religious celebrations of this region.

Origin of Place Names

The name “Edavaka” is believed to have originated from the nature of the soil found in this region. The land was neither highly fertile upland nor lowland, but something in between, and hence came to be known as “Edavaka.”

“Nallurnad” literally means “the land of good people.”

“Thonichal” derives its name from its geographical shape resembling a boat.

Near Kallody lies an ancient hill called “Chorankunnu,” situated along the Mananthavady–Pakranthalam road. In olden times, robbers frequently looted travellers there. As travellers approached the area, they would tighten their clothes and luggage, pick up stones as weapons for protection and run fearfully across the dangerous stretch. Thus, the place came to be known as “Kallody,” meaning “the place where people ran carrying stones.”

“Pulikkad” was once a land where tigers roamed freely. Nearby is a place known as “Bungalow Kunnu,” where British officers are believed to have built stone houses and lived. Those stone mansions later gave rise to the place now known as “Kammanam.”