Ittiva
Grama Panchayat

History Socio-cultural history It is assumed that until about the 12th century, Janpaths with a high cultural standard existed in various areas of the panchayat, and that all the Janpaths disappeared due to enemy attacks, natural disasters, or major diseases. It is also assumed that the area, which had been uninhabited for about five hundred years, was repopulated more than 300 years ago. The areas of Malaperoor, Pavur, and the present-day agricultural farm were completely cleared of forest only 25-35 years ago. Settlement was a common feature of feudalism. After the 1940s, a group of progressive Alkanars of the area organized and started working against settlement. Although the protest did not take the form of a struggle, a respectful compromise was reached in this area due to the strong resistance. A building in three storeys, a well in 21 todis, and an acre of land were the compromises that Kochu Narayana Pillai, a landlord in Palamoot, had to accept. A philanthropist who was responsible for the protest proudly said that the resistance against the landlord who had forcibly taken away a piece of land from the owner was legendary. They also fought against untouchable customs. The tea stall was opened by a Pulaya community member who had to sit on a tea mat in a tea shop, which was a big event of that time. The incident of a doctor from Ezhava who went to an Aadhya family for treatment, who was given a sack instead of a bench, occurred in the 1950s. The doctor protested silently and left. The libraries that were established in the eastern areas of the panchayat, such as Thudayannur, Chanappara and Velunthara, helped the youth of that time to fight against social injustice and think about a glorious political and social order. It can be understood from the records that from 1102 AD onwards, all Hindus, regardless of caste, had access to the Athya Mangalam temple in Velinthara. Since it was felt that a public place of worship was needed for the upliftment of the Harijans, a man named Parameswaran Pillai lit a lamp in the temple with a torch named Kochukarumban. At that time, when untouchability and immorality were rampant, the peaceful Pottis left the place in protest of this incident. Other upper castes did not visit the temple. However, it is said that Parameswaran Pillai himself took over the puja and conducted the rituals for about 30 years. Since there was not enough space in the temple grounds to hold festivals, Parameswaran Pillai had to give some land for the temple grounds free of charge. Many people from areas like Vaiyanam, Kottukkal, Mannur, Thudayannur, Vayala walked ten to fifteen kilometers to Kadakkal in small groups to participate in the Kadakkal uprising that took place as part of the freedom struggle. The then local authorities were able to exempt many people from the cases that were filed in connection with this incident. Due to this, the names of those who participated in that uprising were also missing from any records. A Kathakali yogam was functioning in Kottukkal. It has now disappeared. Padayani, Kuthiyottam, Kambadikali (Kambadavukkali) etc. added to the festivities. There are many people who are still proficient in these art forms. Oonjal Pattu, Thumbi Thullal, Attakalapattu and Thiruvathirakkali were all common performances during festivals. Folk songs enlivened the paddy fields. Sung in a blessed voice without the accompaniment of musical instruments, these songs evoked the sweat of the farmer and the heartbeat of the country. The old people say that women agricultural workers used to dance and dance. Today, this art form has disappeared without anyone knowing about it. A hundred years ago, the main source of basic education was the Kudippally Koodas. It was customary for teachers and scribes to come to the homes to teach children. The other branches of study at that time were religious studies and medical studies. Sanskrit scholarship was highly regarded. When the need for general education arose, public schools were required for all sections. The Kottukkal LPS, Mannur LPS and Chariparamba LPS, which were established in this way, are 80 years old. Up until fifty years ago, local doctors used to provide medical services. There were many local midwives who attended to deliveries. The system of treatment was in which doctors stayed in homes and prepared medicines and administered them. Many doctors served in prestigious positions in this field. Traditional medicine has now become obsolete. Kurian George (72), a member of the Punnakala family who came here from Cheruvandur near Aluva, is still an expert in poison treatment. This subject has been practiced for centuries.