Welcome to the official website of Cheriyamundam Grama Panchayat.
History of Grama Panchayat

History of Cheriyamundam Grama Panchayat
History of Cheriyamundam
From the rule of the Vettathunadu dynasty to the formation of Malappuram district, this region has witnessed numerous historical events. Historical references suggest that before the rule of the Perumals in Kerala, Brahmins known as Thaliyathiris governed the area. During their reign, Brahmin settlements were called "Manrangal". As this locality was a cluster of 43 Illams (Brahmin homesteads), it came to be known as "Cheriya Manram", which later evolved into the name Cheriyamundam.
After the Perumal era, the Amsams (administrative units) of Iringavoor and Cheriyamundam were among the 40 territories under the control of the Vettathu King. Following the collapse of the Vettathunadu dynasty, these regions came under the rule of the Zamorin of Calicut.
Social History
Historically, the entire land in the Iringavoor and Cheriyamundam Amsams was controlled by powerful landlords and feudal elites (Jenmis), including Orupulassery Mana, Trikkandiyur Devaswom, Calicut Mana Vikrama Zamorin, Kottil Nambidi, Padinjattakath Narayanan Moossad, Ettuveettil Komukkutti, Vallathol Gopala Menon, and Puthukaiyil Pathumaliyakkal Ahammad. These landlords leased land to tenant farmers (Kudiyans) and collected rent (Paattam), giving rise to a rigid feudal agrarian system.
This land distribution system transformed following the introduction of the Land Reform Bill in the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1957, which protected tenants from eviction. The implementation of the Land Reforms Act in 1970 finally fulfilled the vision of "land to the tiller."
Religious & Cultural Heritage
The village has a rich tradition of longstanding Hindu temples and Islamic places of worship:
  • Temples: The Iringavoor Shiva Temple is widely believed to be millennia old. Chopante Mandakam and the Hanuman Temple also date back several centuries.
  • Mosques: Renowned for their antiquity and heritage are Chathankulangara Juma Masjid, Thalakkadathur Juma Masjid, Asharippara Juma Masjid, Ambalamkunnu Juma Masjid, Parappoothadam Juma Masjid, and Vaniyanur Juma Masjid.
Transportation & Development
Modern transport history began in 1901 with the construction of a stone bridge across the Thalakkadathur river. Rebuilt in 1935, this bridge established direct road connectivity to Ponnani. Prior to this, trade goods like betel nuts and coconuts were exported from the commercial hub of Thalakkadathur to Ponnani via boats, and provisions like rice and spices were imported the same way. Before roads were established, wealthy families used palanquins (Manjal) and bullock carts for travel. The Malappuram–Tirur District Road became the first major road passing through the panchayat.
Freedom Movement & Malabar Rebellion
The region contributed significantly to the Indian National Movement, with early Congress activists such as Pulikkaparambil Kunjahammadkutty, Nelliyeri Uppa Sahib, Kallikkal Ali Muhammadaji, Kallikkal Asainar, and Pattathil Beerankutty Haji leading local efforts.

During the 1921 Malabar Rebellion, brave patriots Paraparambu Veluthedath Pari and Hussankutty Mulla—who died after being shot in clashes with British troops at Tirurangadi—hailed from this locality. Cholakkathumbil Beeran Kutty and Pilathottathil Enthi were imprisoned in Bellary Jail in connection with this rebellion.

With the introduction of the Land Reform Bill in the Legislative Assembly in 1957, the threat of eviction was eliminated, and when the Land Reforms Act came into effect in 1970, the dream of "land to the tiller" became a reality.

The village office previously functioned out of an ancient building with an altar at Bungalow Hill (Banglawinkunnu). Built for the Sub-Collector (Thukidi Sayippu), this land was handed over to the English East India Company by the Parambatt (Pattathil) ancestral family. Over a century and a half ago, this was the only tourist bungalow between Ponnani and Malappuram where the British could rest. During that era, it was also used as a Sub-Divisional Court (Thukidi Kacheri) for trying cases, featuring an adjoining kitchen and a horse stable. Additionally, it served as a detention camp during the 1921 Malabar Rebellion. Towards the end of the 19th century, the Kuruppumpadikkal Amsam Kacheri operated specifically for the Iringavoor Amsam.

The first industrial ventures in this region were the A.P.C. Company, founded by A.P. Chinnameeran Ravuthar, and the C.A.V. Company, founded by C.A. Velleppa Ravuthar, both natives of Tamil Nadu.

Kurukkoli Saithali, Nediyedath Eramu, Muthannikkad Ahammad, and Poochengal Enthu were the pioneers of the gunny bag trade in Thalakkadathur. In the past, coconuts were exported from Thalakkadathur via Ponnani to Bharuch, Surat, and Ahmedabad. Thus, this panchayat holds a rich and prosperous industrial heritage.

The Cheriyamundam Panchayat was officially established on December 5, 1955.

Educational History

The modern educational history of Cheriyamundam began around 1915. The earliest educational initiatives in this region included Cheriyamundam AMLP School Alumpuram (Alunkund), GMLP School Iringavoor, SVAUP School Iringavoor, GMLP School Parappoothadam, AMLP School Thalakkadathur North (Ovungal), GMLP School Thalakkadathur, AMUP School Vaniyanur, and AMLP School Iringavoor North.

During that era, several individuals from this locality attained higher education and went on to hold prominent administrative positions:

  • Madambath Thadathil Hamsakkutty: Served as Kozhikode District Deputy Collector.

  • Nellikkal Kunjikkoya: Served as District Collector for Kannur, Kozhikode, Palakkad, and Wayanad.

  • Thendath Kunjimoytheen (Bappu Haji): Served as District Supply Officer.

  • Sukumaran Panicker: Served as Tahsildar in Kozhikode district.

These figures highlight how the local community actively nurtured education to reach high official ranks. Around 1935, P.K. Moosa Sahib was the sole individual from this area to hold a B.A. degree. Notably, the building he originally constructed for an oil mill is where the present-day Tirur Seethi Sahib Memorial (SSM) Polytechnic College operates.

Cultural History
This village is enriched with centuries-old Hindu temples and Islamic places of worship:
  • Sacred Places: The Iringavoor Shiva Temple is widely believed to be millennia old, while Chopante Mandakam and the Hanuman Temple also date back several centuries. Notable mosques known for their age and grandeur include Chathankulangara, Thalakkadathur, Asharippara, Ambalamkunnu, Parappoothadam, and Vaniyanur Juma Masjids.
  • Traditional Healing: The region boasts a rich legacy of traditional medicine (Siddha/Vaidyam), practiced by figures like Machingal Muhammad (Bappu Musliyar), Oottuparambil Narayanan, Kooriyattil Velutha Raman, Kooriyattil Karutha Raman, Kalathingal Habib Koya Thangal, Kammunni Musliyar, and Unnichoppans.
  • Arts & Performance: Local folk arts include Theyyam, Thira, and Pootham performed during temple festivals. Renowned Mappila song composers Thoombil Ahammadkutty and Kuttippulan Ahammadkutty created verses spontaneously. Exceptional Chenda melam artistes like Kudukkil Chandu, Kooriyattil Kuttan Vaidyar, and Kanthaloor Kumaran also hail from here.
  • Festivals & Games: Traditional games included "Padakalithallu" held during the Mammini Uppappa Nercha at Parappoothadam, "Pakidakali" hosted at Iringavoor Mandakathum Parambu, Kallikkal, and Cholappuram, and festive bull-racing (Kalapoottu) held until the mid-1970s at Elamkulam Bava Haji's grounds.
  • Communal Harmony: The annual "Appa Vanibha Nercha" at Paral Masjid and the festival at Iringavoor Pulikkaparambu draw people across all religious communities, featuring traditional Muslim art forms like Dafmutt and Kolkkali. Demonstrating this deep harmony, the Muslim family of Chakkalakkal plays a vital role in the annual "Naattuthalappoli" festival at the Sreekurumba Temple.