Kannadi
Grama Panchayat

Kannadi Grama Panchayat 

Kannadi Grama Panchayat is a village panchayat located in the Kuzhalmannam Block of Palakkad Taluk in Palakkad District, Kerala. Kuzhalmannam Panchayat was formed in 1954, and its first governing committee came into existence on May 24, 1954. The first President was N.B. Balachandran, and the Vice President was K. Shankunni Nair. The first President of Kannadi Panchayat was K.R. Sethumadhavan, who served from 17 December 1963 to 30 September 1984.

The panchayat is bounded by Kodumbu Panchayat on the east; Mathur, Kuzhalmannam, and Pirayiri Panchayats on the west; Thenkurissi and Peruvemba Panchayats on the south; and Pirayiri Panchayat and Palakkad Municipality on the north.

The Kuzhalmannam Palace is located adjacent to the Maruthur Temple, situated just north of Pulpuramandam in Kuzhalmannam. Remnants of the palace, including a stone platform, stone pedestal, and stone walls, still exist. This region was once under the rule of the Kolathiri Raja. It is believed that the name “Kuzhalmannam” originated from “Kuzhal Mandam,” referring to a place where flute calls were made.

This was the home region of the prominent freedom fighter Abdul Sahib. For participating in anti-war protests, K.C. Balakrishnan Master and T.C. Velappan Nair were sentenced to 18 months of rigorous imprisonment. In 1930, Mahatma Gandhi visited the area to witness a communal dining event (Mishra Bhojanam). Jawaharlal Nehru also visited this panchayat. A farmers’ agitation took place here in 1928.

The first educational institution in the panchayat was an LP (Lower Primary) School established in Kannannur, Kuzhalmannam, in 1915. The famous and historic Kuzhalmannam cattle market, located near National Highway 47, is one of the area's notable landmarks. Most of the region consists of black cotton soil, and except for a few small hills, the terrain is largely flat.

The major temples in the panchayat include Mahadeva Temple, Vadakkumnatha Temple, and Maruthur Sree Krishna Temple. In addition, there are several Christian churches and Muslim mosques in the area.

Formal education in Kannadi Grama Panchayat began with traditional village schools known as Ezhuthupallikkoodams. The first educational institution established in the region was Madhavan Master’s Lower Elementary School, started at Parakkulam in the early twentieth century. It was later handed over to the B.E.M. management and subsequently upgraded to a Higher Elementary School. Around the same period, a Malabar District Board School for girls was also established.

The panchayat is home to many places of worship, including numerous temples, mosques, and churches spread across different localities.

Festivals such as Ayyappan Vilakku, Vishu Vela, Vedinal Shivaratri Mahotsavam, Sree Krishna Jayanthi celebrations, and Navaratri Mahotsavam reflect the rich cultural heritage of the people. People from all communities participate together in rural festivals regardless of caste or religion. Kannadi Panchayat is regarded as a model of communal harmony. During festivals such as the Theruvath Mosque Nercha and Vilayan Chathannur Mosque Nercha, people from different communities join Muslim residents in the celebrations.

Notable personalities associated with the panchayat include John Kitta, a social worker and former MLA, and Kannannur Kandu Asan, a renowned master of the traditional art form Purattam Kali. Kandu Asan received recognition at the state level. Political leaders such as K.N. Kunju and C.V. Ramachandran are also a source of pride for the village.

A well-known cultural institution in the panchayat is the Tozhilshala at Pathikkal. Numerous libraries and reading rooms operate throughout the panchayat. Cultural organizations such as Pulari Kala Samithi, Sivananda Memorial Library, Punchiri, Yuvajana, Sakanika, Surya Club, Navya Club, and Yuvadhara contribute significantly to the cultural richness and social life of the panchayat.