History

History of Panchayat Formation

In the former Malabar District under the old Madras State, there were ten taluks including Valluvanad, Ernad, and Kurumbranad. Kurumbranad Taluk comprised 104 amsoms (revenue villages). Kurumbranad Taluk was later bifurcated into Quilandy and Vadakara taluks. Among these 104 amsoms, Cherapuram and Velom were also included. All amsoms at that time were divided into desoms (localities). The Velom amsom consisted of three desoms: Velom, Kurichakam, and Cherukunnu. The Cherapuram amsom had only a single desom named Cherapuram.

The boundaries of amsoms and desoms were demarcated by burying granite stones partially visible above the ground or by carving 'X' marks on large rocks. The present-day Velom Grama Panchayat was formed in 1960 by merging the Cherapuram and Velom amsoms along with all their constituent desoms.

The first elected governing body of this Panchayat came into existence in December 1963. From its inception until 1984, Velom Panchayat was situated in Quilandy Taluk. Its revenue firka, legislative assembly constituency, and block development office were based in Perambra. The Munsiff Court was at Payyoli, while the Magistrate Court was at Vadakara (with Velom amsom coming under the jurisdiction of the Quilandy Magistrate Court). However, considering the persistent demands of the public, this Grama Panchayat was subsequently included in the Kunnummal Development Block and Vadakara Taluk. The Sub Court (Assistant Sessions) was retained at Quilandy without being shifted to Vadakara.

Social History

There are no clear historical indications or legends regarding how this village received the name "Velom". There are rumors that Cherapuram belonged to Cheraman Perumal, or alternatively, to the Chirakkal Rajas. It is also unclear whether the Zamorin dynasty held administrative control here. However, the presence of the Tali region and the Tali Shiva Temple points toward traces of Zamorin rule. The Chirakkal Temple might have ties with the Chirakkal Kings.

It is said that a community known as the Puliyars used to reside here; the place name Puliyarkandi serves as a pointer to this fact. Legend has it that when Tipu Sultan reached Wayanad, the local chieftains mobilized a Puliyar army (Puliyar Pada) to resist and defeat the Sultan's forces.

The presence of several paddy fields and related place names—such as Idakkulamvayal, Varaprathvayal, Peruvayal, Adivayal, and Olorvayal—suggests that a major portion of this region was originally paddy fields. It is conjectured that the name 'Velom' might have evolved from the word Vilayalangal, which signifies cultivated lands/fields.

Major portions of the land here were held under the titles of the Kadathanad Valiya Raja, the Thampurans (lords) of the Ambilad (Kuttiady) Kovilakam, and the local chieftain Murchilottu Mooppasthani. The Velom amsom belonged to the Kuttiady Kovilakam. Among the Thiyya community, Thandan and Tharakaran served as chieftains, while Marathan and Chindari were the chieftains among the Pulaya community. Prominent families among the Thandans in Cherapuram amsom included Tayyil Chandanappurath, Nidooli, and Pazhayaveettil.

Gulikappuzha (Kuttiady River) geographically isolates Velom Panchayat from other surrounding areas. Being surrounded by water, the residents relied heavily on water transport since ancient times. Initially, canoes/country boats were used, and later, motorboats took over. Waterways were the sole reliance for travel and goods transport. For taking patients to hospitals, palanquins (manjals) were the only option.

In this Panchayat, which originally had only narrow dirt tracks and footpaths, roads gradually took shape through the collective efforts of the local public. The most important motorable road formed was the Aroor–Gulikappuzha Road.

In 1948, during the period when Communists were actively hunted, the peasant movement entered this village under the leadership of M.K. Kelu, M. Kumaran Master, U. Kunjiraman, and P.R. Nambiar. A wealthy Christian gentleman named Mathachan, who came from Changanassery, bought large acres of forest land from Puthiyottil Amanath Haji in Velom Manimala, cleared the forest, and started rubber cultivation over nearly 200 acres. This later grew into what came to be known as the Changanassery Ruby Rubber Estate, Manimala.

Trade union activities began here in 1969. Every grain of sand in Velom has heroic tales to tell of numerous struggles—the right to carry cloth umbrellas (sheelakkuda), the right to wear footwear, the fight against social ostracization (maatuvilakku), the movement against disrupting ritual performance areas (balikkalam mudakkal), and the right of women to cover their upper bodies, to name a few.

In 1971, the agricultural workers' movement emerged here under the leadership of A. Kanaran. The registration of Small Scale Industry (SSI) units within the Panchayat commenced in 1985.

Educational History

Traditional Othupallis (religious instruction centers) and Ezhuthupallis (traditional elementary schools) existed in the olden days. During the freedom struggle, as part of the Harijan elevation activities, a social reformer and brave patriot named Manikotharamal Gopala Kurup walked a long distance carrying a Harijan boy to enroll him in the Government School located at Cherapuram South. The school authorities, belonging to the upper-caste elite, not only denied admission to the child but also joined forces with conservative upper-caste locals outside to assault Gopala Kurup and throw him into the Gulikappuzha river.

Educational institutions had come into existence in Velom Panchayat even before independence. Before the formation of United Kerala, private schools in Velom Panchayat were controlled by the elite class. Prior to independence, facilities for upper primary education were available to some extent only at Cherapuram U.P. School.

Velom is the birthplace of the world-renowned athletics coach O.M. Nambiar (coach of P.T. Usha). P.K. Nambiar, who rose to the leadership of teacher unions at the state level, also completed his primary education in Velom. Manikoth Moytheen Master was a social reformer and a prominent voice in the educational reform movement, particularly advocating for the necessity of formal/secular education among the Muslim community. The first high school in the formal education sector was established in Velom in 1975.

Cultural History

Hindus and Muslims constitute the majority of the population in this Panchayat. The majority of Muslims were traders; in old records, their occupation is listed as Mappila-Kachavadam (trade). Numerous mosques are situated here.

Velom Grama Panchayat has the highest population of Scheduled Castes within the Kunnummal Development Block. In earlier times, their livelihoods depended on agriculture, traditional mat weaving, and inland fishing.

A specific community known as Anthiyur Nayars resides here. It is believed that this community originally belongs to an indigenous/tribal group from Andhra Pradesh. They live in a hilly area called Kotta, and their primary occupation is pottery. A primitive dialect exists among them for internal communication.

In olden times, local chieftains tried to resolve all rural disputes. Village officers (adhikaris) handled minor criminal cases and civil cases involving dispute amounts up to 50 rupees.

Different communities followed distinct customs for marriage and divorce. Nayars conducted marriages at night through the Pudamuri custom (gifting cloth to the bride). Divorce was extremely rare among the Nayars. Among Muslims, Nikah was also referred to as Kanoth. When the groom's Thandan declared, "According to the customary traditions of our community, let the Kanom (dower) and Puda (clothing) be given," and the gathered audience chanted in unison, "Good deed, good deed, good deed," the couple was considered married. The man was required to give 21.25 panam (old currency units) to the woman as kanappanam. A divorce was finalized simply by plucking a thread from the garments of both spouses and blowing it away.

Complex social evils—such as untouchability, unseeability, ritual pollution, and the prohibition of lower castes from entering temples—were widespread in Velom during that era. The Muslim community in Velom Panchayat was severely backward in educational and cultural spheres, as the prevailing mindset held that basic religious education required for performing religious rites was sufficient.

Temple festivals traditionally begin with the Malayalam month of Thulam. In the region of Kadathanad, the festival season itself commences following the festival at the Umayankunnummal Temple in Thulam. Ritual art forms such as Thira, Theyyam, and Vellattu are performed in almost all temples. Playing the Chenda drums is performed by members of the Malaya community. In certain temples, performers from the Munnoottan, Vannan, and Malaya communities don the ritual attire (vesham).

Mosques are located across most parts of the Panchayat. The most prominent among them is the Cherapuram Juma Masjid, situated west of Poolakkool in Cherapuram. Other major mosques include Palliyath, Valakettu, Kakkuni, Arimpol, Choyimadham, Chambott, and Puthalath. The land measuring approximately 8 acres where the ancient Cherapuram Juma Masjid stands was donated free of cost to the Muslim community for building the mosque by the then-chieftain Murchilottu Mooppasthani. Offering vows (nercha) at the Cherapuram mosque is practiced not only by Muslims but also by members of the Hindu community.

Libraries and cultural clubs serve as major centers contributing significantly to the cultural sphere. Film actor Velloor P. Raghavan, light music lyricist Abdul Majeed Velom (who gained acclaim through All India Radio), noted young poet Pavithran Theekuni, and athletics coach O.M. Nambiar shine as guiding lights in the cultural realm of Velom.