Edathiruthy
Grama Panchayat

It is believed that the place got the name Edathuruthu (originally Idathuruthu) because the region contained many small islets scattered in between. Over time, the name evolved from Idathuruthu to Edathuruthu and later to Edathiruthi.

According to local legend, the principal deity of the Ayyappa temple located on the western boundary of the Peruvanam Devaswom was Lord Ayyappa. While installing Lord Shiva as a sub-deity, a debate arose because Shiva, being Ayyappa’s father according to mythology, should not traditionally be placed on the left side. Others argued that since Ayyappa was the main deity, Shiva could remain as the subordinate deity. To resolve the dispute, both deities were installed facing each other in such a way that each occupied the left side of the other. This arrangement led to the expression “Idathiruthi” (placed on the left), which later became the name of the temple and eventually the place itself.

Landlords from Triprayar belonging to the Blahayil family migrated southward with their workers and armed followers. The lands they reached gradually became ancestral property of the family. Those who opposed them were defeated or driven away, and their influence expanded up to the borders of Chentrappinni. However, due to the strength and influence of the Kurumangattu Panickers and Kottekkad Menons, the authority of the Blahayil family remained confined mainly to the present Edathiruthi village area.

Edathiruthi was once known as the granary of the Nattika region. The atmosphere of earlier times was filled with the songs of agricultural workers — songs sung during paddy transplantation, harvesting, and other farming activities. Vast paddy fields such as Painoor Padam and Edathiruthi Padam stretched across the land, interspersed with small islets. Geographically, the area consisted of coconut groves on the eastern and western sides with paddy fields in between.

Most agricultural land belonged to the Blahayil Thampurans and the royal households of Aayiroor and Kodungallur. Eviction and displacement were the greatest fears of tenant farmers. Estate managers representing the landlords supervised workers and ensured strict control over laborers. Despite working tirelessly from dawn till dusk, workers received wages insufficient even for basic survival.

The lower classes who worked for the landlords were not allowed to enter or “pollute” the landlord’s residence, yet they were expected to cultivate paddy, clean it, and fill the granaries of the landlords. Even people from other communities who were not direct laborers of the landlords had to pay rent and taxes in the form of paddy and money annually. The landlords enjoyed all luxuries while the laborers toiled in poverty and hunger.

For generations, the Blahayil Madom Thampurans ruled the region with absolute authority. They possessed powers extending even to life and death, while no one could punish them.

Modern Social History

In earlier times, literacy education was imparted through traditional village schools known as Ezhuthupalli conducted by local teachers called Ashans. Famous teachers such as Kollara Velappan Ashan ran such schools.

Formal education systems were first introduced in Travancore and Cochin. The eastern side of Edathiruthi beyond the Canoli Canal belonged to the Cochin Kingdom. The earliest schools in the region were established at Kattoor and Kandassamkadavu. People travelled long distances to study there. Later, schools were opened at Alappad and Perinjanam. Those who received education from these institutions later led the spread of formal education in Edathiruthi.

The first school in Edathiruthi was the Perumpadappu Board L.P. School established by the Malabar District Board in 1912. Between 1912 and 1942, twelve primary schools were established, though three later ceased functioning. After 1947, six lower primary schools were upgraded to upper primary schools. A girls’ high school was started in Edathiruthi in 1955, and another high school was established in Chentrappinni in 1957. In 1968, the Chamakkala Government Mappila U.P. School was upgraded to a high school.

Traditional Ayurvedic medical families were also prominent in Edathiruthi. Renowned physicians included Kollara Anku Vaidyar, Kollara Raghavan Vaidyan, Thadathil Kunjappan Vaidyar, and Kumbalaparambil Gopalan Vaidyar, especially known for snakebite treatment.

Kannampullipuram Sree Narayana Library became known as the cultural capital of Edathiruthi. One of the greatest contributions of Sri Lankan Malayalis who migrated after Indian independence was the establishment of this library. It continues to spread knowledge among thousands of people both inside and outside Edathiruthi. Kollara Chathunnikuty was its founder. Many intellectuals and social workers contributed to its growth and survival.

India’s first woman Chief Engineer, P. K. Thressia, is the pride of Edathiruthi.

The Indian National Congress was formed in Edathiruthi in 1920. P. A. Prabhakaran Nair, popularly known as Kombathe Prabhakaran, participated in the 1941 freedom struggle satyagraha, was arrested, brutally tortured by British police, and imprisoned. Later he joined the Communist Party and became one of the earliest organizers of the communist movement in Edathiruthi.

After the formation of Kerala State, many roads were developed in this southernmost village of the old Malabar region, improving transportation and development activities. The old Tipu Sultan Road, now part of NH-17, was once only a mud road. People watched in amazement as bullock carts and later four-wheeled vehicles slowly passed through it.

The famous Edathiruthi market, once an important center of trade and transport, has now declined. In earlier days, goods were transported through the Canoli Canal in large country boats from the Cochin and Kottappuram markets. The twice-weekly Edathiruthi market was well known across the district.

For centuries, the village remained under imperial and feudal landlord domination. Edathiruthi Grama Panchayat was formed by combining the villages of Edathiruthi and Chentrappinni in the Nattika firka of the old Ponnani Taluk.

The Kerala Government’s 1957 anti-eviction law gave farmers and agricultural laborers confidence and security. The Land Reforms Act of 1968 transferred land ownership from a few landlords to thousands of farmers and laborers.

Later agricultural changes also produced negative impacts. Traditional seeds were replaced by hybrid varieties, and chemical fertilizers became expensive. As paddy cultivation became unprofitable, paddy fields gradually gave way to coconut plantations. Today, only a few green patches remain among the coconut groves where vast paddy fields once existed.

The name “Edathiruthi” eventually evolved into “Edathuruthi.” The oppressive feudal era effectively ended with the revolutionary land reform legislation of 1967.

Traditional musical and folk art forms such as Udukku, Thappu, Thakil, Nagaswaram, Panchavadyam, Band Melam, Aravana, Thudi, Kolkali, Kinnamkali, Aivarkali, and Chottukali once flourished here, but many of them have now disappeared from village life.

Professor K. U. Arunan Master’s play Charithrathinte Chiri won the Central Zone Award of the Sangeetha Nataka Akademi in 1979. V. K. Ravindran Master — scriptwriter of the films Veenapoovu and Samudayam, playwright, and recipient of the State Best Teacher Award — remains a cultural icon of Edathiruthi.

India’s first woman Chief Engineer, P. K. Thressia, continues to be celebrated as one of Edathiruthi’s greatest achievements.