Nadapuram
Grama panchayat

Social and Historical Background of Nadapuram

Nadapuram is a land steeped in the heroic traditions and folklore of northern Kerala. The vast stretch of land lying between the Kadathanadan palaces of Perambra and the Kuttippuram Kovilakam carries a rich history of Kalaripayattu traditions and traditional combat arenas.

In 1969, Dr. Hermann Gundert documented Nadapuram in his work Malayala Rajyam: History and Geography. Rich in pepper cultivation, Nadapuram was merely an ordinary agrarian village with no particular distinguishing features during the first decades of the twentieth century. The echoes of the national movement inspired ordinary people, who had long accepted their subjugation, to mobilise farmers against the feudal system. The teachings and messages of social reformers such as Sree Narayana Guru further strengthened this movement.

Nadapuram was regarded as the “Second Ponnani” in the field of Islamic religious learning. It was also widely renowned for its long-standing tradition of religious harmony. The Hindu community extended wholehearted love, cooperation and assistance to the scholars who came to the region for the propagation and study of Islam.

The Avollam–Kallachi Road is known as Tipu Sultan Road in memory of Tipu Sultan's visit to the panchayat. The 775-year-old Poochakkool Bhavanam is also an important part of the historical heritage of the region.

The influence of the national freedom movement was also evident in Nadapuram Panchayat. A group led by Kuniyil Appukuruppu undertook the daring attempt to destroy the Munsiff Court, which functioned under British rule, by bombing it. P. Krishnan Nambiar, Edavalath Karunakaran Master, Chingoth Kunjiraman and others who led activities against the Registry Office are among the personalities remembered with pride in Nadapuram. Nadapuram is also a land where organised farmers', workers' and mass movements gained considerable strength.

Nadapuram Grama Panchayat, one of the older panchayats, was established in 1941. Komath Mammad Sahib was its first President, while Thoduvayil Madhavan Nair served as the first Vice-President. It was during this period that kerosene lamps mounted on wooden poles were installed for public lighting.

Streetlights were installed in the panchayat in 1967, during the tenure of V. A. K. Pokker Haji as President and Anarambath Narayanan Nambiar as Vice-President. It was also during this period that the panchayat acquired its own office building.

During the tenure of K. K. Balakrishna Nambiar as President and Shri Vaniyoor Anthru as Vice-President, several important infrastructure facilities were constructed, including the Nadapuram Bus Stand, Shopping Centre, Community Hall and Kallachi Fish Market.

The panchayat began laying tarred roads in 1988, during the period when C. V. Kunjikrishnan served as Vice-President. The Chelakkad Mini Stadium and the eight-metre-wide Pashanam Kuni roads were also constructed during this period. Sodium-vapour street lamps were installed as part of the development activities undertaken during this period.