Eranholi
Grama Panchayat

History of Eranholi Grama Panchayat

Social History

Eranholi is a land that has witnessed numerous struggles against feudalism, landlordism, and foreign domination. The region is closely associated with the resistance led by Pazhassi Raja against British rule, and the campaigns of Tipu Sultan also passed through this land. The roads extending across the eastern and western parts of the village stand as historical witnesses to its past.

Among these historic routes are the road connecting Thalassery to the vast pepper plantation established by Brown Sahib at Anjarakandy during the British period, and the  Thalassery–Coorg Road, which was constructed to facilitate the movement of British troops during their campaigns against Pazhassi Raja. The road extending from Nayanar Mook through Kudakkalam, Vadiyilpeedika and onwards to Nittoor was once an important royal route.

The place now known as  Chungam was historically a location where the British East India Company collected tolls on the Thalassery–Coorg Road.  Arangettupaarambu was the place where the Kottayam Thampuran staged his Kathakali debut. Two centuries ago, the British executed Kaitheri Kunkan, one of Pazhassi Raja's soldiers at  Kunjikulom, was also a resting place of Pazhassi Raja.

During the period of caste-based feudalism and landlord rule, the region was governed by the Kottayam Thampuran,members of the Arathil Kandoth Tharavadu,the Keyis,and the landlords of Vayalalath Illam. As political and social conditions gradually changed, the regions of Eranholi and Vadakkumpad also became active participants in the emerging movements for social and political transformation.

Marches organised under the call of the Karshaka Sangham (Peasants' Organisation), demanding an end to oppressive collections and social exploitation, became important milestones in the history of the peasant movement. One such march was led by A. K. Gopalan (A.K.G.) towards Kottayam Kovilakam, while another was led by Kundancheri Kunhiraman Master towards the Arakkal Kandoth Tharavadu. In a remarkable historical coincidence, the  Arakkal Kandoth Tharavadu hosted the Kannur District Conference of the Communist Party in 1957.

The presence and teachings of Sree Narayana Guru, one of the leading figures of the Kerala Renaissance, gave strength to the people in their struggle against untouchability and other forms of social discrimination. Several Sree Narayana Mutts were established in the region during this period. The social reform and renaissance movements that transformed the region provided fertile ground for the growth of the Indian National Congress and the peasant movement.

A significant event in the history of the region was the Hunger March organised under the leadership of A.K.G. and K. P. R. Gopalan. The march began at Kallyassery and proceeded towards the office of the Thalassery Sub-Collector, protesting against unemployment and hunger. Kodikkunnil Nambi and C. M. Kunjikannan Nambiar, among others, participated in the march.

As part of the Second Civil Disobedience Movement, a historic march led by Sardar Chandroth took place at Chungam. The protesters broke through the police cordon and proceeded to submit a memorandum to the Thalassery Sub-Collector. This became one of the notable experiences of the national freedom struggle in the region.

Among the prominent leaders who played leading roles in various movements connected with India's national freedom struggle were Arathil Kandoth Nanu Nambiar, Kundancheri Kunhiraman Master, Nittoor P. Damodaran, and Moorkoth Kunhiraman.

In 1944, when Netaji Subash Chandra Bose established the Azad Hind Government with its headquarters in Singapore,  Arathil Kandoth Nanu Nambiar served as a Minister of State. He also worked as a European leader of the India League.

In 1937, when workers launched the first strike at New Darbar Beedi Works, a procession carrying agricultural produce was organised under the leadership of Dr. Ramutty, following the call of the Karshaka Sangham. The procession represented a significant expression of worker–peasant unity.

 Educational and Cultural History

The Eranholi East L.P. School, functioning in Ward No. 9 of Eranholi Grama Panchayat, was the first educational institution established in the region. Originally started as a traditional village school (Kudippallikkoodam), it was founded by Kooranchi Bappu Gurukkal and Kooranchi Kunjikannan. Beginning with basic instruction in writing and reading, the school eventually provided education from the first to the fifth standard.

Around the same period, the Vadakkumpad Sree Narayana Basic U.P. School was established. It was originally a traditional Ezhuthupallikkoodam founded by Madayilath Pullambi Chathu Gurukkal as a Gurukulam, where Sanskrit was taught. In 1923, Chathu Gurukkal handed over the school to his disciple, Govindan Master. The institution later known as Parambath L.P. School and, only boys was admitted at that time.

The Arangettupaarambu Aided Senior Basic School was started in 1906 by Konkan Gurukkal as an Ezhuthupallikkoodam. Another school, the Arangettupaarambu South L.P. School, was established at Arangettupaarambu in 1916 by Kelu Master.

Eranholi has made a distinctive contribution to the cultural life of the region. Formerly part of the old Kottayam Taluk, the village possesses a rich cultural heritage shaped by the national freedom movement and various social reform movements.

Eranholi is particularly honoured as the birthplace of Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (Kesari), a pioneering figure in the Malayalam short-story movement. The village was also the birthplace of Vidwan N. Koithatta, a Sanskrit scholar, expert in traditional architecture and author.

The village can never forget the remarkable contribution of Kundancheri Kunhiraman Master, a distinguished personality who emerged through the national freedom movement, played a leading role in the peasant and teachers' movements, and later served as a prominent leader in the administration of the village.

The population of the Panchayat has historically comprised people belonging predominantly to Hindu and Muslim communities, while in recent times, Christian families have also settled in this region .

Various traditional customs and social practices have been part of the cultural heritage of the region, including Pula, Valaayma, Thirandukalyanam, Kathukuthu, Vannathi Mattu, Pudavamuri, Pulukudi, Nalpathadiyantharam, Manthrichukettu, Kodanjukuli, Uzhinjamandam, Adayalappanam, Machoonan Panam, and Kettikkuri. In some areas, traditional practices such as Arileyuthu, Nalpathadiyanthiram, Choroonu, Peruvili, and Manthrichukettu continue to be observed.

Most Kavus (sacred groves) and temples in the region have historically served as important centres of worship and community life for different communities.

The Sree Nedungott Bhagavathi Temple, one of the prominent sacred groves of North Kerala, is renowned for its Theyyam traditions, with around twelve Theyyam forms being performed during its festivals. Historical records indicate that as many as 39 different Theyyam forms were performed here in earlier times.

A unique feature of the festival is the magnificent Thirumudi, traditionally constructed using 101 sections of palm leaves and rising to a height of approximately 41 feet. The festival is regarded as one of the major traditional celebrations of Eranholi.

There are numerous sacred groves in Eranholi where Theyyam performances continue to be held. Traditionally, Theyyam roles have been performed by members of various communities such as the Malayars, Anjootters, Munnutters, and Vannans.

The Eranholi Grameena Kala Samithi was the first major arts and cultural organisation established in the Panchayat. Its formation was inspired by the Jnanodaya Kala Samith, which originated in the Kudakkalam area. The Jnanodaya Kala Samithi was established on 11 May 1949, marking an important milestone in the cultural history of Eranholi.