The land of prosperity - Vazhoor
The growth of the Vazhoor Block Panchayat area has a historical, social and cultural background. In the 11th century AD, following the collapse of the Chera Sampradaya, many feudal lords and lords declared themselves rulers and established their own kingdoms. The areas that came under the old Kottayam division were six kingdoms namely Vadakkumkur, Thekkumkur, Poonjar, Edappally and Alangad. Around 1100 AD, Venpolinadu was divided into two kingdoms. Thekkumkur and Vadakkumkur. The Vazhoor Block area falls under Thekkumkur.
In 1794, when Marthanda Varma captured Thekkumkur, he conducted a survey of the land and prepared documents containing complete information about the ownership. He marked the beginning of modern agriculture by providing protection to the pepper plantations. Christian missionaries settled in the area around 1850. The Christian settlers who bought land from the few landlords who were then landowners through Otti and Kuzhikkanam were the main ones who cultivated the forests and converted them into villages.
After independence, rural development activities began to be implemented as part of the project activities in the 1950s. The National Education Extension Programme (NES) was formed from this experience. On October 2, 1952, social development programs were started in 55 areas of various states. As part of this, NES blocks, which were agencies to implement such programs, were formed in Palakkad, Kunnathunad, Chalakudy and Neyyattinkara in Kerala. It was envisaged at that time as one block for one lakh people.
Vazhoor block was formed in 1958. Mr. Kurian Alex Vaka rented a cottage at Kakkanthot at Chakompatal junction and started functioning as an office. P.T. Chacko's close associate Peedikakkal Jose (P.V. Jose) put pressure on P.T. Chacko to shift the block headquarters to Kangazha and keep Poonatt Appachan (P.T. Thomas) in Chakompatal. Chacko's mind was on Chakompatal. He pacified the Kangazha people by providing the Idairikappuzha Hospital.
At the request of P.T. Chacko, his sons Mr. John Vettuveli, James Vettuveli and Mathew Vettuveli donated 2 acres of land to the block office with the permission of their father Mr. Ulahannan Joseph Vettuveli. The foundation stone of the block office building was laid by the then Governor of Kerala and later the President Mr. V.V. Giri. At that time Mr. V.K. Velappan was the MLA of Vazhoor. The construction of the building was undertaken by Chelakombukoshikunju, the carpenter was done. Veshmani Kadayanikkattu. The mason was done by Idairikappuzha Koch. It is seen in the block records that the inauguration of the office building with three blocks was held on 26-04-1962. The first block officer was Shri.M.K. Ravindranathan.
The block, which was working as a part of the Rural Development Department, had a nominated advisory committee called BDC, but an elected committee with constitutional support was created through the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments and the Panchayat Raj Act of 1994. Based on this, the first administrative committee took office through the elections held on 25th September 1995. Smt. K.C. Sreekumari took office as the first president on 2nd October 1995. Vazhur Block Panchayat is located at Vettuvelipadi near Chakompatal in Vazhur Village, Changanassery Taluk, Kottayam District. The place name Vettuvelipadi is known as Block Padi after the establishment of the Block Office.
Established in 1962, Vazhur Block Office is located on the Manimala-Kodungur Road, 5 km north of Manimala and 6 km south of Kodungur. Pathanamthitta district is to the south, Kanjirappally Block Panchayat to the east, Pampady Block Panchayat to the north and Madappally Block Panchayat to the west. The Manimala River flows east-west along the boundaries of Vazhur Block. The area of Vazhur Block Panchayat is 150.34 sq km. It is a mixed terrain of hills and valleys. The population is 157367 and the literacy rate in the block is 97%. Vazhoor Block Panchayat comprises Karukachal, Nedumkunnam, Kangazha, and Vellavur villages in Changanassery taluk and Cheruvally and Chirakkadavu villages in Kanjirappally taluk.
There are currently 103 wards in Karukachal, Nedumkunnam, Kangazha, Vellavur, and Chirakkadavu panchayats in this block panchayat, 14 block panchayat divisions and 3 district panchayat divisions. This area falls under the Kanjirappally Assembly constituency and the Pathanamthitta Parliamentary constituency.
In 1794, when Marthanda Varma captured Thekkumkur, he conducted a survey of the land and prepared documents containing complete information about the ownership. He marked the beginning of modern agriculture by providing protection to the pepper plantations. Christian missionaries settled in the area around 1850. The Christian settlers who bought land from the few landlords who were then landowners through Otti and Kuzhikkanam were the main ones who cultivated the forests and converted them into villages.
After independence, rural development activities began to be implemented as part of the project activities in the 1950s. The National Education Extension Programme (NES) was formed from this experience. On October 2, 1952, social development programs were started in 55 areas of various states. As part of this, NES blocks, which were agencies to implement such programs, were formed in Palakkad, Kunnathunad, Chalakudy and Neyyattinkara in Kerala. It was envisaged at that time as one block for one lakh people.
Vazhoor block was formed in 1958. Mr. Kurian Alex Vaka rented a cottage at Kakkanthot at Chakompatal junction and started functioning as an office. P.T. Chacko's close associate Peedikakkal Jose (P.V. Jose) put pressure on P.T. Chacko to shift the block headquarters to Kangazha and keep Poonatt Appachan (P.T. Thomas) in Chakompatal. Chacko's mind was on Chakompatal. He pacified the Kangazha people by providing the Idairikappuzha Hospital.
At the request of P.T. Chacko, his sons Mr. John Vettuveli, James Vettuveli and Mathew Vettuveli donated 2 acres of land to the block office with the permission of their father Mr. Ulahannan Joseph Vettuveli. The foundation stone of the block office building was laid by the then Governor of Kerala and later the President Mr. V.V. Giri. At that time Mr. V.K. Velappan was the MLA of Vazhoor. The construction of the building was undertaken by Chelakombukoshikunju, the carpenter was done. Veshmani Kadayanikkattu. The mason was done by Idairikappuzha Koch. It is seen in the block records that the inauguration of the office building with three blocks was held on 26-04-1962. The first block officer was Shri.M.K. Ravindranathan.
The block, which was working as a part of the Rural Development Department, had a nominated advisory committee called BDC, but an elected committee with constitutional support was created through the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments and the Panchayat Raj Act of 1994. Based on this, the first administrative committee took office through the elections held on 25th September 1995. Smt. K.C. Sreekumari took office as the first president on 2nd October 1995. Vazhur Block Panchayat is located at Vettuvelipadi near Chakompatal in Vazhur Village, Changanassery Taluk, Kottayam District. The place name Vettuvelipadi is known as Block Padi after the establishment of the Block Office.
Established in 1962, Vazhur Block Office is located on the Manimala-Kodungur Road, 5 km north of Manimala and 6 km south of Kodungur. Pathanamthitta district is to the south, Kanjirappally Block Panchayat to the east, Pampady Block Panchayat to the north and Madappally Block Panchayat to the west. The Manimala River flows east-west along the boundaries of Vazhur Block. The area of Vazhur Block Panchayat is 150.34 sq km. It is a mixed terrain of hills and valleys. The population is 157367 and the literacy rate in the block is 97%. Vazhoor Block Panchayat comprises Karukachal, Nedumkunnam, Kangazha, and Vellavur villages in Changanassery taluk and Cheruvally and Chirakkadavu villages in Kanjirappally taluk.
There are currently 103 wards in Karukachal, Nedumkunnam, Kangazha, Vellavur, and Chirakkadavu panchayats in this block panchayat, 14 block panchayat divisions and 3 district panchayat divisions. This area falls under the Kanjirappally Assembly constituency and the Pathanamthitta Parliamentary constituency.
The economy of this region is mainly agricultural. Most of the food required for the region was produced here through the cultivation of paddy, yam, yam, yam, banana, cassava, vegetables, etc. Coconut, kamuk, native flour, plantain, yam, kodampuli, pepper, turmeric, ginger, cassava, etc. were cultivated for domestic use and as medicinal crops. Sugarcane was widely cultivated in the Vellavur region. Sugarcane was transported to the sugar factories in Pulikiezhu through the Manimala River.
The widespread windfall of coconut and the fall in the price of coconut attracted farmers to rubber farming. With rubber becoming the main crop, other crops are currently marginal. The fall in the price of rubber and the increase in the cost of production have had a severe impact on the economy of this region. The new generation belongs to the educated. They have secured jobs at high levels both at home and abroad.
Memorable personalities from the block panchayat area
PT Chacko - In 1957, PT Chacko, who became the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the then Kerala Home Minister, is from Chamampatal. He is the reason for the establishment of Vazhoor Block Panchayat in Chamampatal. K. Narayana Kurup - In 1954, he won his maiden election to the Tirukochi Legislative Assembly and was a former minister and deputy speaker representing Vazhoor for 7 times (1963,65,70,77,91,96,2001). Kadayanikkad Purushothaman Pillai (Former MLA) - 1967 Kadayanikkad Purushothaman Pillai (Former MLA) - Ponkunnam (1980 -82) Kanam Rajendran (Former MLA) - (1982 -1987) . Adv. P.C. Thomas - PT Chacko's eldest son and Minister of State in the Vajpayee cabinet is a native of Chamampatal. Adv. Alphons Kannanthanam - Kottayam District Collector, IAS officer recognized as one of the 100 most brilliant administrators in the world. Former MLA of Kanjirappally, former Union Minister of State for IT & Tourism Manimala's beloved son, to be precise, his hometown is Vellavur. Dr. N. Jayaraj - Seemantha son of Sri. K. Narayana Kurup, MLA of Kanjirappally (2006,2011,2016,2021) Cardinal Mar Antony Padiyara - The leader of the Kerala Catholic Church, a multilingual scholar, author, and the respected son of Manimala born in Vellavur. M. K. Joseph IPS - The first DGP of Kerala is a native of Manimala.
Joseph Panachippuram - The birthplace of Malayala Manorama News Section Chief Editor Jose Panachippuram, known by the pen name Panachi, is also Chamampathal in Vazhur. M.J. Philip - A writer with the pen name Kanam E.J. who taught Malayalis the habit of reading. Somanathan - Somanathan, known as the famous cartoonist Nathan. Akhil Krishnan-Kannanani Akhil Krishnan, who created a record in the National Junior Athlete Meter Hurdles in 2007. Suravi Thomas, Rishi Thomas-Suravi Thomas and Rishi Thomas, who went on an adventurous journey to Antarctica and published their travelogue titled Adventures in Antarctica, are also the pride of Kanam. Ponkunnam Damodaran-A revolutionary who became famous with the song Pachappanam Thathe................. Mohan D. Kangazha-Mohan D. Kangazha, who turned the crime novel genre into a magnet for readers. Dr. Kanam Shankara Pillai-A genius who left his mark in the field of medicine and literature. K. P. A. C. Ravi - A musician and drama actor who has been running the Swathi Thirunal Sangeet Vidyalaya for a long time. M.N. Thankappan Karukachal - National song, story telling, drama writing. Binu Kannanthanam - Binu Kannanthanam Manimala, who made it to the Guinness Book of World Records for speaking continuously for 77 hours, is the 4th person in India to receive Guinness recognition for his speech. Kochu Sir - Kochu Sir A.N.R. Pillai, who was known as the great A.N.R. Pillai in the field of story telling. Ajith Cheruvalli - A blessed artist who won the Kalapratibha Pattu in 88 and 89 consecutive years. C.N. Venugopal - Blessed musician Kadayanikkad Sahajamani - . Thakil expert. Baby Marar Cheruvalli - Thala Vidya expert. Kadayanikkad Unnikrishnan - Drama actor. Purushothaman Kartha -Ottam Thullal artist. P. Madhu Ponkunnam -Popular poet. Ponkunnam Varkey -Famous novelist, story writer, playwright. K.O.C. Karinganadan, Ponkunnam Syed -Playwrights. P.V. Philipose (Kanjirappara -Flying Officer (Pilot of Nehru, General Karipaya, etc., died prematurely in a plane crash in Turkey on October 6, 1951) K.G. George, Kozhikunnath, Shanthipuram -The country honored him with the Vir Chakra award in 1965 for his brave service in the India-Pakistan war.
The widespread windfall of coconut and the fall in the price of coconut attracted farmers to rubber farming. With rubber becoming the main crop, other crops are currently marginal. The fall in the price of rubber and the increase in the cost of production have had a severe impact on the economy of this region. The new generation belongs to the educated. They have secured jobs at high levels both at home and abroad.
Memorable personalities from the block panchayat area
PT Chacko - In 1957, PT Chacko, who became the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the then Kerala Home Minister, is from Chamampatal. He is the reason for the establishment of Vazhoor Block Panchayat in Chamampatal. K. Narayana Kurup - In 1954, he won his maiden election to the Tirukochi Legislative Assembly and was a former minister and deputy speaker representing Vazhoor for 7 times (1963,65,70,77,91,96,2001). Kadayanikkad Purushothaman Pillai (Former MLA) - 1967 Kadayanikkad Purushothaman Pillai (Former MLA) - Ponkunnam (1980 -82) Kanam Rajendran (Former MLA) - (1982 -1987) . Adv. P.C. Thomas - PT Chacko's eldest son and Minister of State in the Vajpayee cabinet is a native of Chamampatal. Adv. Alphons Kannanthanam - Kottayam District Collector, IAS officer recognized as one of the 100 most brilliant administrators in the world. Former MLA of Kanjirappally, former Union Minister of State for IT & Tourism Manimala's beloved son, to be precise, his hometown is Vellavur. Dr. N. Jayaraj - Seemantha son of Sri. K. Narayana Kurup, MLA of Kanjirappally (2006,2011,2016,2021) Cardinal Mar Antony Padiyara - The leader of the Kerala Catholic Church, a multilingual scholar, author, and the respected son of Manimala born in Vellavur. M. K. Joseph IPS - The first DGP of Kerala is a native of Manimala.
Joseph Panachippuram - The birthplace of Malayala Manorama News Section Chief Editor Jose Panachippuram, known by the pen name Panachi, is also Chamampathal in Vazhur. M.J. Philip - A writer with the pen name Kanam E.J. who taught Malayalis the habit of reading. Somanathan - Somanathan, known as the famous cartoonist Nathan. Akhil Krishnan-Kannanani Akhil Krishnan, who created a record in the National Junior Athlete Meter Hurdles in 2007. Suravi Thomas, Rishi Thomas-Suravi Thomas and Rishi Thomas, who went on an adventurous journey to Antarctica and published their travelogue titled Adventures in Antarctica, are also the pride of Kanam. Ponkunnam Damodaran-A revolutionary who became famous with the song Pachappanam Thathe................. Mohan D. Kangazha-Mohan D. Kangazha, who turned the crime novel genre into a magnet for readers. Dr. Kanam Shankara Pillai-A genius who left his mark in the field of medicine and literature. K. P. A. C. Ravi - A musician and drama actor who has been running the Swathi Thirunal Sangeet Vidyalaya for a long time. M.N. Thankappan Karukachal - National song, story telling, drama writing. Binu Kannanthanam - Binu Kannanthanam Manimala, who made it to the Guinness Book of World Records for speaking continuously for 77 hours, is the 4th person in India to receive Guinness recognition for his speech. Kochu Sir - Kochu Sir A.N.R. Pillai, who was known as the great A.N.R. Pillai in the field of story telling. Ajith Cheruvalli - A blessed artist who won the Kalapratibha Pattu in 88 and 89 consecutive years. C.N. Venugopal - Blessed musician Kadayanikkad Sahajamani - . Thakil expert. Baby Marar Cheruvalli - Thala Vidya expert. Kadayanikkad Unnikrishnan - Drama actor. Purushothaman Kartha -Ottam Thullal artist. P. Madhu Ponkunnam -Popular poet. Ponkunnam Varkey -Famous novelist, story writer, playwright. K.O.C. Karinganadan, Ponkunnam Syed -Playwrights. P.V. Philipose (Kanjirappara -Flying Officer (Pilot of Nehru, General Karipaya, etc., died prematurely in a plane crash in Turkey on October 6, 1951) K.G. George, Kozhikunnath, Shanthipuram -The country honored him with the Vir Chakra award in 1965 for his brave service in the India-Pakistan war.
K.P. Bhaskaran Nair - A soldier who directly participated in World War II and was captured as a prisoner of war by Japan. This patriot, who continued his military service with distinction even after his release, is from the Medakkal family of Champakkara in Karukachal panchayat - Kunnapally. Chackochan Kochumuri - Playwright and director known as Vimal. Prakash Mani - Playwright, director, media activist, and teacher. Kottayam Nazir - Film star, mimicry artist, director, and painter, native of Karukachal. Vazhu Vinne Oor or Vazhuor, the land of wealth, has given birth to so many talents.