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Social History

Vazhayur is a region whose ancestors did not experience the rigid authoritarian features of royal rule even during the period of the Chera kings. In earlier times, the villages of Azhinjilam, Karad, and Cherukavu existed, while Vazhayur emerged later. During those days, local assemblies known as Nattukoottams held administrative influence. Later, governance came under the control of the Namboothiris, who divided villages into Desams and groups of Desams into Nattukoottams for administrative purposes.

This region formed part of Ramanad, which was under the direct rule of the Zamorin. Vazhayur had closer ties with Kozhikode rather than Valluvanad. The place name “Vazhayur” is believed to have originated from its association with banana cultivation. Since the Zamorin ruled directly, there were no local feudal chieftains here. Historical references also suggest that monkeys and peacocks from Vazhayur were among the valuable goods exported from Beypore to Egypt in the ships of King Solomon centuries before the birth of Christ. This indicates that the region had long-standing importance in trade and export activities.

Until modern times, goods were transported by country boats to Mankavu for export, while timber from this region was taken to Kallayi. The early social structure of Vazhayur was based on the landlord-tenant system. Two prominent landlord families, Odinjilam and Ellath, controlled most of the land and leased paddy fields to tenant farmers. Fertile hill slopes and paddy fields rich in water resources were fully utilized for agriculture.

In earlier days, children received education in traditional village schools called Ezhuthupallikoodams, where both male and female teachers taught. Separate schools existed for lower-caste communities. Traditional physicians such as Impichi Vaidyar, Chara Vaidyar, Komukkutty Vaidyar, and Kunhoyi Vaidyar were well known in the area. T.P. Vasu Vaidyar became the first person from the region to obtain a formal Ayurvedic degree. Famous poison healers such as Kodakkallinmel Narayanan and M.V. Muhammed Master attracted patients even from distant regions.

The library movement and farmers’ movement were strong in Vazhayur from early times. Many people from the region participated in the 1921 Malabar Rebellion and the Indian freedom struggle. During the 1921 uprising, British troops entered Tiruthiyad, Kakkov, and Vazhayur to suppress rebels. Troops arriving through Peringavu set fire to the Kodakkad ancestral house at Kottupadam and arrested four people including Kudumbanathan. The house at Kollerithodi in Ponnampadam was later rebuilt using compensation of 100 rupees granted by the British government for damages caused during the rebellion.

During the rule of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, military commanders frequently visited the Kalari (martial arts training center) at Karad. Kalaripayattu was taught there to all young men irrespective of caste. Another Kalari is believed to have existed at Puliyara. In connection with the Salt Satyagraha of 1930, the national flag was hoisted and pledges were taken at Karad. Many national leaders stayed in Vazhayur to promote communal harmony.

The implementation of the Land Reforms Act in 1957 ended the feudal landlord system and enabled landless settlers and agricultural laborers to own land. Some observers have noted that the landlord-tenant relations and upper-caste dominance in the region were comparatively harmonious.

A significant contribution of Vazhayur to Kerala’s energy movement was the development of the “Parishad Stove,” an energy-efficient firewood stove created through experiments conducted in local households. The widespread adoption of this stove began with a workshop jointly organized by the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad and Kondotty Block at Parrammal Balavadi on February 17, 1985.

The industrial sector of the Panchayat includes Farook Plywood at Karad, associated industrial units, brick manufacturing companies, plywood factories, stone crushers, sawmills, and other small-scale industries. Traditional occupations such as basket weaving, palm weaving, mat weaving, and pottery making also continue. Most workers are employed at Farook Plywoods, a major private company ranked second in Kerala in the production of blackboards, check boards, and waterproof plywood doors.

Electricity first reached Azhinjilam in 1981, leading to the gradual emergence of small-scale industries in the region. Until bus services began to Karad in 1976, transportation mainly depended on boats and walking. The first bus service in Vazhayur was operated by Faisal Bus. The stop near Anakkundungal Thodi later became known as “Anakkund.”

The major healthcare institution in the Panchayat is the Vazhayur Primary Health Centre, supported by four sub-centres at Puthukode Alungal and Tiruthiyod. A homoeo dispensary also functions at Vazhayur.

The first school in the village was a girls’ school established at Karad in 1905 and later shifted to Azhinjilam in 1911. The Board School started by S.E. Kuttan Panicker at Karad was relocated on October 20, 1925, and became Azhinjilam A.U.P. School. Parrammal School was originally established for potters’ children. Literacy classes and night schools were also conducted through libraries. Out of the eleven schools in the Panchayat, only two belong to the government sector.

Cultural History

Vazhayur also has a rich cultural history. The “Office Drama,” regarded as the beginning of the street theatre movement, originated in Vazhayur during a village planning survey. Vazhayur also contributed a unique style of dialogue-based communication where ideas were exchanged interactively rather than through formal speeches.

The famous Kalyassery document notes that the concept of resource mapping originated in Vazhayur. Libraries once played a central role in addressing local development issues. Through library activities and handwritten magazines, many young people emerged as leaders in social and cultural fields. The Kerala Library Association and the libraries of Vazhayur played a major role in literacy campaigns, development activities, theatre, sports, and cultural awareness. Among the early library activists, the services of the late Punnath Unneeri Master remain memorable. Today, the Panchayat has ten libraries affiliated with the Kerala Library Association.

Hindus constitute about 62.29% of the Panchayat population, while Muslims make up around 37.18%. Each community preserves its own traditions and customs. Temples, mosques, shrines, and traditional village schools hold an important place in the cultural history of Vazhayur. Religious harmony is reflected in the mutual participation of Muslims in temple festivals and Hindus in mosque-related celebrations.

The Azhinjilam Thali Temple is believed to be around 2700 years old and houses a four-armed deity. The Sankaranarayanan Temple at Puthukkode is notable for its granite carvings. Vazhayur has 29 sacred groves, 22 temples, and 15 serpent groves. The mosque at Kakkov was built in 1916. A Wahhabi library that served all communities once existed at Manakkadavu.

Traditional art forms once flourished here, including Muslim Kolkali, Harijan Kalakkali and Vattakkali, Thiruvathirakkali of the Nair community, and Arippara songs of the Pulluvans. Decades ago, a drama troupe led by the artist Appu Nair was active in the region.

It is said that the place name “Tiruthiyad” originated because a Kathakali performer from the Palassery Namboothiri family performed while turning around on stage, giving rise to the phrase “land of the turning performer.” Local traditions also suggest that rivers once flowed through parts of Tiruthiyad. The name “Karad” is believed to be associated with the traditional art form called Karakali.

Karad Kala Samithi, established in 1954, was the first cultural organization in the Panchayat.