Edamulackal
Grama Panchayat

This region, which never once appeared in the annals of history, was known as 'Idamulakkal Pakuthi' under the revenue administration system of the past. Falling under the reign of the Travancore King Sree Moolam Thirunal, Idamulakkal Pakuthi was already abundant in agricultural crops such as coconut, paddy, black pepper, and areca nut. Government officials—such as the *Pravrithiyar*, *Pilla*, and *Masappadi*—interacted directly with the local people. Before the Second World War, many individuals from this area ventured to foreign lands like Burma, Ceylon, Singapore, and Malaysia in search of employment, demonstrating the adventurous spirit characteristic of Malayalis. 
The dominance of upper-caste landlords and feudal chieftains prevailed here as well, albeit not to an extreme degree. The first steps into the realm of formal education were taken with the establishment of the 'Thadikkattil Mohammedans School' in 1925 (Kolla Varsham 1101) and the 'Perumannoor Porunaya L.P. School' around the same time. Isolated initiatives in the field of non-formal education also took place in other parts of the region. Consequently, a new awakening regarding national movements and the struggle for independence emerged among the people, fostering a strong desire for change. We, too, were able to make modest contributions to the popular movements striving for independence. Several brave individuals from our panchayat joined the INA (Indian National Army) formed under the leadership of Subhash Chandra Bose, fighting against the British and enduring imprisonment. Many also participated in the series of agitations known as the Kadakkal and Kallara-Pangode struggles.
Even after independence, the feudal landlord-tenant system and the practice of untouchability persisted here. A significant portion of the land was held by *Manas*, *Mathams*, *Illams*, and certain prominent ancestral households (*Tharavads*), while the majority of the population consisted of tenant farmers and agricultural laborers. Our panchayat possesses a legacy of embracing change and moving forward, rather than resisting the surge of progressive movements that sought to sweep away these oppressive historical systems. Edamulakkal Panchayat served as a key center of activity for prominent leaders in Travancore politics, such as M. N. Govindan Nair, P. T. Punnoose, and T. M. Varghese. With the advent of these mass movements and their leaders, an awareness of their rights awakened among the majority—the landless farmers and tenants. At that time, less than 15% of the people owned land; however, as a result of struggles for land rights led by mass movements across Kerala, various land reform laws were enacted between 1957 and 1971. Consequently, vast landholdings previously controlled by the wealthy were redistributed among tenants and homestead dwellers. Those who were landless became owners of their own land. 
Agricultural laborers, having secured a place of their own to live, saw their bargaining power increase. This shift in land-ownership dynamics undermined the foundations of upper-caste hegemony. New schools also sprang up in the Ayur and Idamulakkal areas during this period. The Temple Entry Proclamation brought about visible changes regarding the practice of untouchability. It is a matter of pride that our Panchayat succeeded in zealously safeguarding religious harmony, even when communal riots erupted in many parts of India both before and after independence. Mass movements undoubtedly played an undeniable role in helping the people achieve literacy and advance towards progress during that era. 
When our Panchayat was formed in 1952, its headquarters was located at Thadikadu. Later, the headquarters shifted to Palamukku and then to Panachavila. In 1960, land was purchased at Panachavila for ₹500; a dedicated building was constructed there, and the Panchayat office was relocated to the new site. The late Abdul Khader served as the first Panchayat President. The late N.P. Gopalan Nair became the second President, followed by Shri R. Balakrishna Pillai as the third. He served as President for two terms spanning twenty-three years. In 1988, Mr. George Mathew assumed the role of President. The contribution of previous governing bodies to the progress achieved by our Panchayat to date is commendable. 
Situated within the Anchal Block, this area encompasses the villages of Idamulackal and Arakkal. Part of the eastern region of Kollam district, the Idamulackal Grama Panchayat comprises a territory that is predominantly agricultural in nature. A significant portion of the Grama Panchayat's own revenue is derived from the Ayur and Thadikkad areas, which host numerous commercial establishments. The livelihoods of the local population depend, to a considerable extent, on agriculture. Idamulackal is also an area with a significant number of expatriates.