History of Grama Panchayat

Thalappalam Grama Panchayat

Situated in the Meenachil Taluk (Eerattupetta Block) of Kottayam district, Thalappalam Grama Panchayat covers 29.92 sq. km across Eerattupetta and Thalappalam villages. It is bordered by Bharananganam (West); Eerattupetta, Bharananganam, and Thidanad (South); Teekoy, Moonnilavu, and Eerattupetta (East); and Melukavu and Moonnilavu (North).

Etymology & History

  • Name Origin: Derived from 'Thala' (principal/main) and 'Pulam' (agricultural land), highlighting its deep-rooted farming heritage.

  • Establishment: Formed in 1953 with M.T. Thomas Mulechalil as its first President. Its headquarters was fixed at Plassanal.

  • Topography: Lies in the midland region of the Western Ghats.

Agriculture & Cooperatives

  • Crops: Rubber is the primary crop. Secondary crops include coconut, pepper, arecanut, banana, cocoa, nutmeg, clove, pineapple, ginger, coffee, cassava, turmeric, cashew, yam, taro, elephant foot yam, and sweet potato.

  • Cooperative Pioneer: The Melampara Mutual Aid Society was established on October 8, 1927 (23-02-1103 ME), marking the area's first cooperative venture.

Culture & Arts

  • Literary Figures: Mahakavi Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai composed his magnum opus Shreeyeshu Vijayam while residing at his farmland in Anjoottimangalam. Dramatist Devasya Anjoottimangalam contributed heavily to Malayalam theatre; his play Tipu Sultan was a prescribed textbook for university courses.

  • Performative Traditions:

    • Kuthiranritham: A ritual folk dance performed at the 600–700-year-old Inchallikavu Temple using horses crafted from paddy stalks.

    • Koladikali & Pallippana: Traditional stick-dance and rare ritual art forms associated with Plassanal Church and local temples.

    • Onakkali: Performed by the Bharata Vailan community using Thudi drums, featuring feats like balancing props on the nose while juggling.

    • Other Arts: Kalamezhuthu Pattu, Kumbhakudam, Ottamthullal, Thiruvathirakali, and Kathakali patronage.

Historical & Spiritual Sites

  • Mungamala Rock Caves: Located in Nariyanganam, these ancient caves are historically linked to local folklore regarding the Pandavas' exile.

  • Plassanal Church: Established in 1848 on land donated by local landlord families (Pariyath and Ottaplackal); St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara resided here for a period.

  • Temples: Melampara Sree Dharmashastha Temple (250–300 years old) and Sreekrishnapuram Temple (~95 years old).