1. Formation and Administrative Background

Thalappalam Grama Panchayat covers an area of 29.92 square kilometres. It is bounded by Bharananganam Panchayat in the west; Erattupetta, Bharananganam and Thidanad Panchayats in the south; Theekoy, Moonnilavu and Erattupetta Panchayats in the east; and Melukavu and Moonnilavu Panchayats in the north.

Thalappalam Grama Panchayat was formed in 1953. M. T. Thomas Mulechal served as its first President. As per the order of the Assistant Director of Panchayats, the headquarters of the Panchayat was fixed at Plassanal.

Thalappalam is an agricultural village situated in the midland region forming part of the Western Ghats. The name is traditionally associated with the words ‘Thala’, meaning important or prominent, and ‘Pulam’, meaning agricultural land. Over time, the name ‘Thalappulam’ is believed to have evolved into ‘Thalappalam’. This traditional interpretation reflects the agricultural heritage of the region.

2. Agricultural Heritage

Agriculture has historically played an important role in the social and economic life of Thalappalam. Rubber is the major agricultural crop cultivated in the Panchayat, while coconut is also widely cultivated.

Various intercrops and other agricultural produce traditionally cultivated in the region include pepper, arecanut, banana, cocoa, nutmeg, clove, pineapple, ginger, coffee, tapioca, turmeric, cashew, elephant yam, colocasia, greater yam and sweet potato.

The agricultural way of life and rural traditions associated with farming form an important part of the history and identity of Thalappalam.

3. Library Movement and Social Development

The library movement played an important role in the social and cultural development of the Thalappalam region.

The Thalappalam Grameena Vayanashala, established in 1948, was one of the earliest cultural institutions in the region. It made significant contributions towards promoting reading habits, strengthening social awareness and encouraging literary and artistic activities.

The library also played a notable role in promoting drama and other performing arts and in providing opportunities for local artists.

4. Growth of the Cooperative Movement

The Meenachil Taluk has an important place in the history of the cooperative movement in Kerala. Following the enactment of the cooperative legislation in 1914, cooperative institutions began to emerge in the Meenachil region. The influence of this movement was also reflected in Thalappalam.

5. Literary and Artistic Heritage

Thalappalam has been associated with several prominent personalities who made significant contributions to literature and the arts. Devasia Anjoottimangalam was an important personality associated with the cultural history of the region.

He served as the Secretary of the Young India Arts Club, Young India Theatres and the Dance School in Thodupuzha. He authored around fifteen works, most of which were plays, making a notable contribution to Malayalam literature and theatre.

One of his well-known plays, “Tipu Sultan”, was included at one time as a prescribed textbook for B.A., B.Sc. and Malayalam Vidwan courses under the University of Kerala.

6. Mahakavi Kattakayam Cherian Mappila

Mahakavi Kattakayam Cherian Mappila is one of the prominent literary personalities closely associated with the heritage of Thalappalam.

He composed the celebrated poetic work “Sree Yeshu Vijayam” while residing on his agricultural property at Anjoottimangalam in the second ward of Thalappalam.

In addition to being a renowned poet, Cherian Mappila was also known as a dedicated farmer. To preserve his memory, the residents of Anjoottimangalam established a library at Valiya Kavumpuram.

7. Historical Remains and Local Traditions

The Mungumala rock caves at Narianganam are regarded as important historical remains in the Thalappalam region.

According to local tradition, the Pandavas are believed to have stayed in the Mungumala rock caves at Narianganam during their period of exile.

8. Inchalikkavu Temple and Traditional Art Forms

Inchalikkavu is regarded as one of the ancient temples in the Thalappalam region. It is traditionally believed to have been constructed around six or seven centuries ago.

Traditional art forms such as Kuthirachattam and Kuthiranritham were associated with the temple. Horses were artistically crafted using paddy stalks and brought to the temple premises accompanied by songs and traditional musical instruments.

According to local traditions, members of the Pulaya community made the horses and performed the dance. In earlier times, the performance was conducted on behalf of prominent families.

The first ceremonial horse procession was traditionally held on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrischikam. During the period when temple entry was restricted for certain communities, the performance was conducted at a specified distance from the temple. The location later became known as “Kuthirakkalam”.

9. Kalamezhuthupattu and Kumbhakudam

Kalamezhuthupattu is one of the traditional ritual art forms associated with Bhagavathi temples in Kerala.

Although changes have occurred over time in its form and artistic expression, the tradition continues to remain part of the cultural heritage of the region. According to local tradition, Kalamezhuthupattu was conducted for 41 days beginning from the first day of Vrischikam.

Kumbhakudam, another traditional ritual practice, also continues to be observed in certain parts of the region.

10. Melampara Sree Dharma Sastha Temple

Melampara Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is one of the important places of worship in Thalappalam. The temple is traditionally believed to be around 250–300 years old.

Staging dramas during the temple festival was once a regular practice. Local residents themselves used to learn, direct and perform the dramas.

Traditional plays such as “Nalacharitham”, “Sadarama” and other classical dramas were reportedly staged here.

The temple festivals also provided encouragement to various traditional art forms and artists, including Ottanthullal, Parayanthullal, Thiruvathirakali and Koladikali.

11. Plassanal Church and Koladikali

The Plassanal Church was established in 1848 on land traditionally said to have been donated by the local landlords belonging to the Pariyath and Ottaplackal Nair families.

It initially functioned as a small church and historical accounts indicate that St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara stayed here for a period of time.

Koladikali was one of the traditional art forms associated with the church and the local community.

Performers used two polished wooden sticks, approximately one to one-and-a-half feet long, in each hand. These sticks served as rhythmic instruments during the performance.

The songs were mainly devotional in nature, with some folk songs also being performed. The songs were traditionally rendered in a style resembling Vanchippattu.

The performance included a series of steps and movements beginning with auspicious verses. It traditionally consisted of eighteen major movements along with several subsidiary steps. Koladikali was a physically demanding traditional art form.

12. Sreekrishnapuram Temple and Promotion of Arts

The Sreekrishnapuram Temple, traditionally considered to be around 95 years old, has also been associated with the promotion of traditional performing arts.

Facilities were provided for learning and presenting art forms such as drama, Ottanthullal, Thiruvathirakali and dance.

The Thalappalam Grameena Vayanashala made significant contributions towards promoting theatre and other traditional performing arts in the region.

13. Pallippana

Pallippana was a traditional ritual art form performed in temples and certain households in earlier times.

According to local historical traditions, the art form was performed by members of the Velan community. Although the practice has largely disappeared from the region over time, it remains an important part of the traditional cultural heritage of Thalappalam.

14. Pallacherppu

Pallacherppu was a traditional performing and ritual art form based on stories from the Mahabharata.

The Mahabharata story was traditionally narrated over a period of approximately 14 days. Various ritual offerings and ceremonies were conducted during the nights of this period. The programme concluded with a ceremony known as “Cherppu”.

According to local tradition, the programme was conducted by the Cheerankuzha and Muzhikkal families. It was an elaborate performance requiring the participation of approximately fifty artists.

15. Onakkali

Onakkali was a traditional art form performed in Hindu households for three days beginning with Thiruvonam during the Malayalam month of Chingam.

According to local traditions, members of the Bharathavelan community traditionally performed this art form. The Thudi, a traditional percussion instrument, was used during the performance.

A small tree-like structure approximately two feet high was traditionally made using a wooden pole and split bamboo, with bird figures attached to its branches. The performer balanced the structure on the tip of the nose and used a bow and arrow to make the bird figures move.

At the same time, the performer rotated a circular object using the toes while also performing juggling movements with small balls. Songs related to the festival of Onam were traditionally sung during the performance. Women generally performed this art form.

16. Kathakali Tradition

Some of the traditional families in Thalappalam provided facilities and encouragement to Kathakali artists who arrived from other regions from time to time to showcase their artistic skills.

The support extended by local families and residents played an important role in encouraging traditional performing arts and contributed to the continuity of the Kathakali tradition in the region.