Keezhallur
Grama Panchayat

Before the 1950s, a large section of people in Keezhallur, like in many other parts of the region, lived under the harsh realities of untouchability and caste discrimination. Women from lower castes were denied even basic rights such as covering their upper body, and children were often denied the freedom to choose their own names.

Agriculture, cattle rearing, and traditional cottage industries were the primary occupations of the villagers. The region also has a history of resisting the dominance of wealthy feudal landlords. Religion, caste, and community divisions deeply influenced social life and even shaped differences in language and expression among the people.

Ancient sacred groves such as Valarandarakkavu, Nallanikkavu, and Thalakkottukavu still stand today with great historical and cultural significance. The famous Aalthara at Edayanur, known as “Arakottiyoor,” along with its centuries-old banyan tree, remains an important Hindu worship centre. One of the major rituals associated with the Kottiyoor Shiva Temple festival is the ceremonial collection of tender coconuts conducted here during the Vaisakha festival season. Hundreds of people from different regions traditionally gathered at this place, known as “Aalinte Keezhil,” for worship, festivals, and trade. It is widely believed that visiting this place grants half the spiritual merit of visiting Kottiyoor itself.

The ancient Kuthambettu Bhagavathy Temple and Chalil Bhagavathy Temple are renowned for the rare Pulitheyyam performances. Pothiyod Bhagavathy Temple is known for the Muchilottu Bhagavathy Theyyam, while the local Ganapathy Temple is famous for its distinctive festival traditions.

The worship of Muthappan, especially at Kunnathoorpadi, and the ritual performances of Thiruvappana were conducted not only in madappuras but also in homes, becoming an integral part of Hindu spiritual life. The major madappuras in the Panchayat include Kallikkandi Madappura and Manjakunnu Madappura at Edayanur.

Temples such as Theroor Mahadeva Temple, Keezhallur Shiva Temple, Peravoor Kandoth Sreekrishna Temple, Elampara Bhagavathy Temple, and Govindamvayal Mahavishnu Temple were historically administered under the authority of the Ettillam Namboothiri families.

The centuries-old Edayanur Juma Masjid is another important religious centre. The tomb (maqbara) of a revered figure believed to have been a companion of the Prophet is located there, making it a major pilgrimage destination for Muslims.

Festivals such as Thira, Theyyam, Kaliyattam, and Vayal Thira conducted in temples and sacred groves remain major cultural celebrations in the Panchayat. Ritual arts and practices like Aadi Vedan, Kothamoori, Keliyattam, sword processions, and Neyyamrithu processions also formed part of the local tradition. Folk performance traditions such as Kannettupattu and Thottampattu served as livelihood sources for many backward communities.

Several old Hindu customs and rituals, including Thirandukuli marriage ceremonies, ear piercing rituals, Vannathimatt, Manthricha Kettal, Japichuthal, Kudanjukuli, Pula, Valaayma, sacrificial offerings, Chavu, Chatham, and Bhandaram, have gradually disappeared with social change and modernization. Traditional hereditary positions and ritual responsibilities associated with sacred groves among the Thiyya community, such as Tharayil Karanavar and Sthaniyar, have also faded away.

The rise of national peasant movements influenced the village as well. Agitations such as the Thalakkettu Samaram and Pidiviraku Samaram were organized against untouchability, slavery, and feudal oppression. Lower caste people were denied the right to wear mundu below the knees or tie cloth around their heads. In protest, peasants organized movements wearing mundu on their heads, which became symbols of resistance against feudal oppression. As part of the national movement, anti-liquor picketing protests were also held here under the leadership of Mahaan Kuttyappa Nambiar.

Elders say that the first school in the Panchayat was established at Chalode, though it no longer exists. The Edayanur Elementary School began functioning in 1905 under the Malabar District Board and was upgraded to a Higher Elementary School in 1956. In the same year, the Edayanur Danakkeel School became Theroor Higher Elementary School. The Boys School and Girls School established in 1934 later became today’s Kanad L.P. School. A U.P. School was established in Keezhallur in 1959. Keezhallur North L.P. School and Peravoor Sreerama Vilasam School were established in 1929.

Even before Indian independence, educational, artistic, and sports activities had already begun developing in different parts of Keezhallur. Renowned dramatist Palayod Kunjambu Vaidyar was also a leading Ayurvedic practitioner. Krishnan Nambiar, Narayanan Nambiar, Kunjukannan, and Govindan were notable theatre artists of the period. Many actors trained under Pokkan Gurukkal and Korambeth Kunjiraman Gurukkal at Kallikkandi Madappura later became popularly known by the names of the characters they portrayed.

Traditional art groups such as Poorakkali and Kolkkali played an important role in strengthening social unity. Famous Theyyam artists including Kannan Panikkar, Raman Panikkar, Ramootti Panikkar, Njalil Rairu Peruvannan, Kunjiraman Peruvannan, Krishnan Peruvannan, and Kannan Peruvannan attracted people from all communities through their Thottampattu performances and Theyyam rituals.

Although informal educational activities had begun as part of the national movement, organized library activities developed with the establishment of institutions such as Chalode Public Library (1947), Grameena Vayanashala at Peravoor (1953), Kotheri National Library (1957), Velliyamparambu Grameena Vayanashala, and Kanad Vivekananda Library (1963).

Keezhallur also made significant contributions in arts and sports. K.K. Bharathan of Chalode became nationally recognized as a football referee. R.K. Karunakaran Nambiar, Vaniyamkandi Raju, and Keezhallur K.K. Gangadharan Master were well-known volleyball players of earlier generations.

Traditional village games such as Aattakkali, Gottikkali, Sodikkali, Varekkuthu Ittikkali, Kothankallukali, Nondikkali, Nirakkali, Ullikkali, and Chess were once widely popular in the village.

The Panchayat has deep cultural roots in ritual arts including Theyyam, Kolkkali, Poorakkali, Duffmuttu, and Kalarisangham traditions. Folk songs once sung by women during agricultural work have largely disappeared today. Organizations such as Edayanur Volleyball Club, Elampara Volleyball Club, Edayanur Sahhrudaya Vedi, Chathoth Kalarisangham, and Chalode Volleyball Club were once highly active and prestigious cultural and sports institutions in the region.