Local Body History
Cheriyamundam Grama Panchayat is situated in the Tanur Block, within the Tirur Taluk of Malappuram district. Spanning an area of 11.26 square kilometers, the Panchayat falls under the jurisdiction of Cheriyamundam Village. The boundaries of this Panchayat are Valavannur Grama Panchayat to the east; Talakkad, Valavannur Panchayats, and Tirur Municipality to the south; Ponmundam and Valavannur Grama Panchayats to the north; and Tirur Municipality along with Tanalur Grama Panchayat to the west. Located about three kilometers east of the Tirur Railway Station, Cheriyamundam lies to the east of the Tirur–Ponnani River. The current Cheriyamundam Grama Panchayat was formed by combining the old desams (regions) of Talakkaddathur, Cheriyamundam, Ilumbulavu, Vaniyanur, Kanthallur, and Iringavoor, which were previously part of the Cheriyamundam and Iringavoor amshams (administrative divisions). Cheriyamundam is an agriculturally prosperous village featuring a terrain that rises toward the east and slopes downward toward the west.
Historical references indicate that before the reign of the Perumals in Kerala, the region was ruled by Brahmins known as Thaliyatiris. During their rule, the residences of these Brahmins were called "Manrangal". As this locality was a cluster of 43 illams (Brahmin homesteads), it came to be known as "Cheriya Manram", which later corrupted into the name Cheriyamundam. Following the rule of the Perumals, the amshams of Iringavoor and Cheriyamundam became part of the forty desams under the control of the Vettathu Raja (King of Vettathunadu). With the decline of the Vettathu royal lineage, these regions came under the rule of the Zamorin of Calicut. From the period of the Vettathu dynasty up to the formation of Malappuram district, this area witnessed numerous historical events. During British rule, it became part of the Malabar District in Madras State. Following the formation of Kerala state in 1956, the Iringavoor and Cheriyamundam amshams became part of Kozhikode district.
From the period of the Vettathu dynasty to the formation of Malappuram district, this region witnessed many historical developments. Historical accounts suggest that prior to the Perumal era, the Thaliyatiris governed Kerala, during which Brahmin settlements were termed "Manrangal". Because it was a cluster of 43 illams, the area was named "Cheriya Manram", which eventually morphed into Cheriyamundam.
After the Perumal period, the amshams of Iringavoor and Cheriyamundam were among the forty regions under the jurisdiction of the Vettathu Raja. Following the disintegration of the Vettathu kingdom, control passed to the Zamorin. Land ownership across the Iringavoor and Cheriyamundam amshams was concentrated in the hands of major landlords (janmis) such as Orupulassery Mana, Trikkandiyur Devaswom, Calicut Manavikraman Zamorin, Kottil Nambidi, Padinjattakath Narayanan Moossad, Ettuveettil Komukkutti, Vallathol Gopala Menon, and Puthukaiyil Pathumaliyekkal Ahammad. These landlords leased their land out to tenant farmers (kudiyans) and lived off the rent (pattam) collected from them. Consequently, a rigid feudal landlord-tenant system was firmly entrenched in this area.
The village boasts a rich heritage of centuries-old Hindu temples and Islamic places of worship. The Iringavoor Shiva Temple is widely believed to be millennia old. Chopante Mandakam and the Hanuman Temple also date back centuries. Art forms like Theyyam, Thira, and Pootham used to perform procession circuits around the village in connection with the Bhagavati Temple. Prominent mosques renowned for their age and historic majesty include Chathankulangara Juma Masjid, Talakkaddathur Juma Masjid, Asharippara Juma Masjid, Ambalamkunnu Juma Masjid, Parapputhadam Juma Masjid, and Vaniyanur Juma Masjid.
The modern transport history of Cheriyamundam Village began in 1901 with the construction of a stone bridge over the Talakkaddathur River. Rebuilt in 1935, this bridge established direct road connectivity with Ponnani. Prior to this, trade goods such as betel nuts and coconuts were exported via boats along waterways from the commercial hub of Talakkaddathur to Ponnani, while rice and general provisions were imported back the same way. Before paved roads existed, affluent families used palanquins (manjal) for travel, alongside bullock-drawn carts. The Malappuram–Tirur District Road remains the earliest and most vital transportation arterial route passing through the Panchayat.
Several notable individuals from this region participated in the National Movement. Early Congress leaders included Pulikkaparambil Kunjahammadkutty, Nelliyeri Uppasahib, Kallikkal Aali Muhammadaji, Kallikkal Assainar, and Pattathil Beerankutty Haji. During the 1921 Malabar Rebellion, brave patriots Paraparambu Veluthedath Pari and Hussankutty Molla from this village were shot dead in clashes with British troops at Tirurangadi. Cholakkathumbil Beerankutty and Pilathottathil Enthiyil were among those imprisoned in Bellary Jail in connection with the 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 force in 1970, the dream of "land to the tiller" became a reality.
The Village Office formerly functioned in an ancient building featuring an altar, built at Bungalowkunnu for Tukidi Saip (the British Sub-Collector) on land leased to the East India Company by the Parambath (Pattathil) family. Over 150 years ago, this was the sole British rest house located between Ponnani and Malappuram. It was also used as a court ("Tukidikacherry") for trials and had an attached kitchen and horse stable. During the 1921 Malabar Rebellion, it served as a detention camp. Toward the end of the 19th century, Kuruppumpadikkal Amshakacherry functioned separately for the Iringavoor amsham.
The earliest industrial ventures in the area were A.P.C. Company (owned by A.P. Chinnameeran Ravuthar) and C.A.V. Company (owned by C.A. Velleppa Ravuthar), both hailing from Tamil Nadu. Kurukkoli Saithali, Nediyedath Eramu, Mutthanikkad Ahammad, and Poochengal Enthu were the pioneers who initiated the gunny bag (jute bag) trade in Talakkaddathur. In earlier times, coconuts were exported from Talakkaddathur via Ponnani to Bharuch, Surat, and Ahmedabad, giving this Panchayat a rich and prosperous industrial history.
The modern educational history of Cheriyamundam began around 1915. Cheriyamundam A.M.L.P. School Alumkund, G.M.L.P. School Iringavoor, S.V.A.U.P. School Iringavoor, G.M.L.P. School Parapputhadam, A.M.L.P. School Talakkaddathur North (Ovungal), G.M.L.P. School Talakkaddathur, A.M.U.P. School Vaniyanur, and A.M.L.P. School Iringavoor North were among the earliest educational institutions established in the region.
During that era, several individuals from this area attained higher education and went on to hold distinguished public offices. Notable figures include Madambath Thadathel Hamsakutty, who served as Kozhikode District Deputy Collector; Nellikkal Kunjikoya, who served as District Collector across Kannur, Kozhikode, Palakkad, and Wayanad districts; Thendath Kunjimoytheen (Bappu Haji), who served as District Supply Officer; and Sukumaran Panicker, who served as Tahsildar in Kozhikode district. These examples highlight the prominent role local residents played in advancing education and attaining high official posts. Around 1935, P.K. Moosa Sahib was the sole individual from the locality to earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. The Seethi Sahib Memorial (SSM) Polytechnic College in Tirur operates today in the building originally constructed by him for an oil mill.
This village is rich in centuries-old Hindu temples and Muslim places of worship. The Iringavoor Shiva Temple is widely held to be thousands of years old, while Chopante Mandakam and the Hanuman Temple also possess a multi-century legacy. Folk art forms such as Theyyam, Thira, and Pootham toured the locality during festivals associated with the Bhagavathi Temple. Mosques celebrated for their historical significance and splendour include Chathankulangara Juma Masjid, Talakkaddathur Juma Masjid, Asharippara Juma Masjid, Ambalamkunnu Juma Masjid, Parapputhadam Juma Masjid, and Vaniyanur Juma Masjid.
The Panchayat was home to renowned traditional medical practitioners (Siddha/Vaidya). Eminent figures included Machingal Muhammad (Bappu Musliyar), Oottuparambil Narayanan, Kooriyattil Velutta Raman and Karutta Raman, Kalatthingal Habeeb Koya Thangal, Kammunni Musliyar, and Unnichoppans. Cheriyamundam's cultural history spans centuries, producing celebrated artists across various fields. Toombil Ahammadkutty and Kuttippulan Ahammadkutty were gifted singers capable of composing soulful Mappila songs on the spot. Renowned Chenda percussionists such as Kudukkil Chandu, Kooriyattil Kuttan Vaidyar, and Kanthallur Kumaran also belonged to Cheriyamundam.
People from distant places gathered to participate in the "Padakalithallu" held during the Mammini Uppappa Nercha (Parapputhadam). The traditional dice game "Pakidakkali", played at Mandakathuporamba in Iringavoor, Kallikkal in Cheriyamundam, and Cholappuram, was also famous. Until the mid-1970s, bull-racing competitions (Kalapoottu) were celebrated enthusiastically on Elamkulathu Bava Haji’s land near Panambalam.
The majority of the Panchayat's population consists of Muslim families, and Muslim places of worship are located across all wards. The annual "Appa Vanibha Nercha" held at Paral Mosque draws large crowds across caste and religious lines. A similar festival takes place at Pulikkaparambu in Iringavoor. Traditional Muslim art forms such as Duffmuttu and Kolkali are performed during these festivals. Major Hindu places of worship include Iringavoor Shiva Temple, Iringavoor Paradevatha Temple, Cheriyamundam Hanuman Temple, and Mandakathilparambu Sree Kurumba Temple. The Muslim family of Chakkalakkal traditionally plays an important role in the annual "Nattu Thalappoli" festival celebrated at the Sree Kurumba Temple.
