Edathanattukara

History
There are differences of opinion about the origin of the village's name. The Edathanattukara is derived from the word kara. The ancient people had witnessed that it got the name because it is situated in between northern mountain and river Velliyar. It is said that there were gooseberry hils in the place. So it has also an old name Nellikkurssi. In the middle of Edathanattukara, we can see a kunnu known as Nellikkunnu. It is also connected with the old name Nellikkurssi. According to the ancient people there were a large number gooseberry in nellikkunnu. So the old name Nellikkurssi is relevant.
The name of Edathanattukara reveals that a long history existed here, that is 'Kottamala' and 'Kottappalla' are pointed to fort (Kotta). Recently by digging a foundation for a house, there discovered a hall which enough to stay 25 persons at a time. Near by this place a room was also discovered. More ever many potteries had also seen there. Near by this place while digging a well at the step of 35th, There found a golden ring.
At the surroundings of 'Nalukandam' School (PKHMOUP School) we can see many square wells. According to ancient people, it was once a market place. In this market the people can get fresh Spinach from 'Kongunadu', a place belongs to Tamil Nadu.
In Edathanattukara, we can see a place 'Kodiyamkunnu'. It was connected with 'Odiyans'. The 'pulayas' and 'Panas' were changed their figures as animals. They disturbed many people who had enemy with them. So the name Kodiyamkunnu is derived from the old name 'Odiyankunnu'.
Edathanattukara was a Valluvanadan Taluk of Malabar District, which was under the Malabar presidency. Before British rule villages were known as 'Amsams'. Before 1896 this place was under 'Arakkaparambu' Amsam.
The major portion of western Edathanattukara was under the 'Aazhirazhi' (Aayiram Nazhi) kovilakam of Melattur. The Zamindars of this area had given 'Karam' to Elamkulam mana. Rice was decided as 'karam'. After many years the plots of this area were under taken by many people.
Geography
Edathanattukara is situated in Alanallur panchayat, Mannarkkad Taluka. The total area of the village is about 30 sq. km.
The river Velliyar flows through the south-eastern boundary of Edathanattukara. According to the legend the Naga goddess from a temple had been sealed as criminal in the untruthful ideas of Brahmins. Sorrow-minded Naga Goddess left that place. Her Hot tears fallen to the earth paved the way as curved Velliyar and gradually it becomes river velliyar.
Agriculture
An agriculture village, Edathanattukara is very famous. There were no bare land in this area. Paddy is the main crop of this village. The fame and prestige of the landlords of Edathanattukara is considered by the quantity of paddy and heap of hay.
Although Pepper, Ginger, Turmeric Etc. where cultivated; paddy was the main item of cultivation in olden time. But now Rubber, Areca nut,Tapioca and Coconut etc occupy the place of paddy field.
In olden times excess agricultural resources were sold on Mondays Thursdays in the market place held respectively at Unniyal and Alanallur important sources of in came of the people who lived in this area were agriculture
The seeds of paddy used in this area were "Aryan, Kumbhalam, Thekkencheera, Chitteni, and Ennapatta. In the availability of water agriculture fields were divided into Four. they are Plliyal, irippooval, Punchappadom and Karinkara. Just like that cultivation also divided. In the months of 'Kanni and Makaram'. The paddy that cultivated was "Mundakan". "Viripp" was another form of cultivation in the month of Karkkidakam and Kanni. The crop in the month of Makaram was known as Puncha. Cultivation was started in the rainy season. It was depended upon rain. The small streams were used for watering the agricultural fields. They watered their agricultural lands with the materials made from Palm-leaves and wood.
The farmers depends river Velliyar, Mundathodu and Puliyanthodu for irrigation. The farmers were made bunds in this water sources for different uses. Now these bunds were not existed. The waterfalls of " Vella Chatta Para " in puliyanthodu is one of the outstanding features of the natural beauty of Edathanattukara (Photo Link). If the government will make arrangements, the waterfall is enough for power supply to this small village. It is an attractive place for the tourists in different parts.
Major portion of ccultivated lands were under land lords-'Janmies' =Zameendars divided the lands among ' Mesthiries'. The 'Kudiyan' were controlled by mesthiries. The 'Pattam system' compelled peasants to cultivate rice in 1930. ½ Ana pattam and ¼ Ana pattam existed in this village. More over rice was the main pattam prevailed in these days. In the month of ' Kanni' 60% pattam and in 'Thulam' 40% pattam was levied-upon the peasants. 'Pattaparas' were known as 'Madrapara'. At that time the working time was from 6 am to 6 pm. The wages for men was 3 Narayam rice and for women was 2 Narayam rice. But now-a-days working time of peasants is from 8 am to 5 pm.
In 1940 the beginning of NSS was a remarkable development in the field of agriculture. Nayar Service Society was started rubber plantation in 100 acre. (photo of NSS Estate). Famous Ravunni Paladan Janmi contributed this plot. It was also a turning point in the field of labour movement in this small village. Now-a-days rubber is the major agricultural item in Edathanattukara. Coconut, got an important place in 1960
After the formation of 'Aikya Kerala Movement' a large number of people are settled in this village. The settlers were agriculturists and educationalists. They were settled in Ponlpara, Uppukulam and Kottappalla
'Kottappalla Varkky' was the first person who settled in Edathanattukara. But now many people were working under State Government and Central Govt. departments. A large number of graduates and postgraduates are living in this village.
In short the history, culture, customs and manners, education and agriculture of Edathanattukara gives a brief idea about this small village to others. This effort can give light to other enquiries to understand the livelihood of this village. This must be a turning point to the educationalists and investigators.
Education
We, the people of Edathanattukara are very fortunate to get a chance to live and educated area like this. There are many educational institutions in this small village. The oldest educational institution was Malabar Board School(GLPS Edathanattukara, Moochikkal). It is established in 1911. Now it is working in the new building by Govt. DPEP Palakkad. AMLP School Vattamannapuram is the next. AMLP School Edathanattukara West is the next educational institution. It is started in 1930 as a single room under the management of 'Ambhukkattu Ayamu Molla' in Chirattakkulam. After that it was shifted to Pookkadanchery. In 1941 the School manager was Sri. Kutti Krishnan Nair Master and worked in well mannered.
There is a centre in Edathanattukara for giving protection and education to the Orphans. It is established in 1949. Thorakkattil Mammutty Sahib, Thazhathepeedika Aalu Moulavi, T.M.Kunhalu Sahib, Parappoor Abdurahman Moulavi, K.P. Mohammed Moulavi and M. Ahammed Moulavi were givel leadership to the functioning of this institution. Now Thorakkattil Abdu Haji is the Secretary of this institution. The Social Welfare Department of Kerala is giving help to the work of this institution for orphans.
AUPS (PKHMOUPS) Edathanattukara is established in 1954 July 21st from the handwork of Sri. Parokkottil Kunhi Mammu Haji and Sons. Later, Hamza Haji gave this building and plot to orphanage. Thus, under orphanage two UP School are functioning now. 2000 Students are studying in these two institutions. There are 300 inmate is now in Edathanattukara orphanage.
There is an institution in Edathanattukara that is educationally attractive, Govt Oriental Higher Secondary School. It is one of the three oriental schools in Kerala.
In the remote area of Edathanattukara, There is an Upper Primary School at Chalava.It is very useful for the people who lives in the banks of Puliyamthode.
An important institution for English education in Edathanattukara is MES KTM English Medium Higher Secondary School at Vattamannapuram. Another one is Universal English Medium School at Kodiyamkunnu. These two institutions are very useful for the people of this small village.
There are two institutions in Edathanattukara which giving importance for Arabic Education. They are Miskathul Uloom Arabic College and Saraful Muslimeen Arabic College for women. It is useful for higher education in Arabic.
There is a technical institution also situated in this village. It is Kappungal Saidalavi Haji Memorial ITC. It is a Vocational Institution for our new generation.
A famous advanced library is functioning in Edathanattukara. That is CN Ahammed Moulavi Memorial Library and Centre for Advanced Studies. There are thousands of books are waiting for educationalists. Formation of this Library is the handwork of a great personality, CN Ahammed Moulavi.
There is a UP School at Uppukulam under the Cristian Management. Its name is St.Thomas. It is very useful for the pupils who living on the foothills of Uppukulam mountains.
There are two Schools in the remote area of Edathanattukara. They are GLP School at Chundottukunnu and ALP School at Mundakkunnu. It is for the upliftment of many people in this village, Edathanattukara.MESKSHM B.ED training colleg situated in near vattamannappuram
Culture
If we go through the cultural field, Edathanattukara has a pleasant cultural heritage. The Hindus, Muslims and Christians live together. The best example for religions harmony is the 'Karumanappan Kavu' Thalappoli. This festival had become a regional festival of all people in Edathanattukara. Many great personalities are contributed much for the cultural development of Edathanattukara. Some of them are muslim scholar, 'Ishaq Master' who translated 'Bagavat Gheetha' first to Malayalam. 'Nharalath Rama Pothuval', Sopana sangeetha vidwan who was famous in all India level. 'CN Ahamed Moulavi'- who translated holy Quran first to Malayalam.
Edathanattukara is a centre of teaching religious harmony. The educated people taught others about the greatness of Sree Krishna and Prophet Mohammed by oral method. They also taught Manipravalam slogams and holy Quran.
At the time of Malabar Rebellion in 1921, the people of this area kept aloof from rebellion. They were feared and taken their properties to the hills of uppukulam and took shelter there. Their wealth was kept in the head of palm trees and undergrounds. Pooram & Aattu
The Old Art forms of Hindus like Thullal, Aattu etc are conducting now in the remote areas of Edathanattukara. In the words of 'KV Kunhappa moulavi', historically important meeting of 'Aikya Sanga' was held at Edathanattukara. It was about 6 decades before. Many important personalities attend this historical meeting. But the speech of progressive movement in Edathanattukara was conducted by 'Parappoor Abdurahman Moulavi'.Many people from different part were gathered to listen his speech. Till 15th Century Muslims were centralized only in Malappuram area. Coming of Portuguese and the destruction of trade monopoly was the reason for Muslims to seek a new place for their lively hood. So the Muslim community became a major portion of remote area in this village.
A Kalasamithi was formed in 1959-60 at Edathanattukara for giving leadership for arts and cultural activities. The building is functioning in the place of Appu tharakan. Under the Kalasamithi a good library is functioning. One of the famous Juma Mazjid in Edathanattuka aPookadancheri Juma Masjid A famous leadership in Pravasi Organization named as JEEWA(Jeddah Edathanattukara Educational and Welfare Association)and the leadership will be in JeddahAND founded in 2000.The Founders of JEEWA are hamza parakkott,Thuvvasseeri BAPPU, T.p Zubair ,Fazil Ali Master,Ummer pallath,Koorikkaadan Abdul azeez,Abdul Ali Paduvanpadan.
Health
Edathanattukara is not backward in the case of relief centers. The first among them is MES Hospital. It is established in 1960. many people depended upon this for many diseases.
The ancient people of edathanattukara used old systems of medicine. They depended upon Ayurvedic Medicines only. The first 'Nattu Vydiyan' in Edathanattukara were 'Vellan Kunjan' (Velliyanchery), 'Poolamanna Ahammed Molla ' (Chirattakulam), ' Mannan Kurinjan' (Chalava), 'Moideen Kutty Kaka' (Kottappalla),' Kittu Vydian' (Alanallur), 'Mohammed Molla' (Alanallur). Who were contributed much in the field of medicine at that time.
Recently a relief centre started in edathanattukara is 'Karuna Hospital'. Many ayurvedic doctors are consulting the patients in Fridays at ayurvedic centers in our village.
Alanallur Panchayath Basic Informations
Taluk : Mannarkkad
Block Panchayath : Mannarkkad
Block Divisions : Edathanattukara, Alanallur, Thiruvizhamkunnu (5,6 wards).
District Panchayath : Palakkad
Dt.Panchayath Division : Alanallur
Assembly constituency : 047 Mannarkkad
Lokh Sabha constituency: 007 Palakkad
Area : 58.24 km²
Population(1991 census): 39136
Males : 19056 (48.69%)
Females : 20080 (51.31%)
Population Density : 672 km²
Literacy : 27078 (69.19%)
Villages
Alanallur Ist
Alanallur PO
Alanallur IInd
Karkitamkunnu
Alanallur IIIrd
Edathanattukara
Boundaries
East : Kottoppadam Grama Panchayath Area
South : Thazhekkode Grama Panchayath Area
West : Vettathur,Melattur,Edappetta Grama Panchayaths
North : Karuvarakundu,Edappatta Gramapanchayath area