History of Grama Panchayat
Here is the English translation of the history of Thariode Grama Panchayat, structured by section for easy reading:
History of Grama Panchayat
It is believed that the temples of Kumbala Vayal and Pazhoor were destroyed during the military campaign of Tipu Sultan in the late 18th century. The Vythiri-Tharuvana-Mananthavady road, which was the first road in South Wayanad, was constructed by Tipu for military movement towards Mananthavady via Kozhikode-Vythiri and onward to Mysore. Until recently, this road was known as the Kuthirapandi Road. The name Kuthirapandi (or Pudusserikkadavu) originated because horses were tied to a raft (pandi) to pull the army across the Pudusseri river.
Near the Pazhoor temple, where the clash with Tipu's army took place, there is an area known as 'Padavetti' (meaning 'battlefield'). Close to this place, two famous Kurichya ancestral homes (Tharavadus), Madathuvayal and Kuniyinmel, still exist today. On the hill on the western side of the Chekuthan Thodu (Devil's Stream) in the 10th Mile area, the foundations of houses carved in laterite stone and silted-up ponds existed until recently.
With the establishment of British supremacy (East India Company) in Malabar, the Kuthirapandi Road was developed and made suitable for motor vehicles. It was during this period that a company incorporated in Britain, called Gold Mines India, started gold mining in the Thandiyode area of Thariode village. For the company's needs, a police station, an inn (sathram), a post office, and a Christian church were established. The managing director of the company was a British national named Smith. A branch of the Imperial Bank also operated in Thariode.
As the mining under Smith's leadership turned out to be unsuccessful, the company was on the verge of shutting down due to heavy losses. When the partners grew suspicious of the operations, Smith was unable to return to his homeland, and the company collapsed. Following this, he blew up the company premises using dynamite and committed suicide. The Smith Estate, which he had planted during that period, was inherited by Lady Smith. However, unable to even clear the tax arrears, she returned to her country. Due to the pending arrears, the government took over the estate and declared it a reserve forest. This is the forest known today as 'Ladysmith'.
Pits and caves dug for gold mining, as well as the remnants of company buildings, can still be found in several places around Thariode. Fruit trees and flowering plants that once surrounded the buildings are still visible. Inside the mining tunnels, remnants of rails and trolleys remain. The ruins of a building believed to be the Smith family bungalow sit on the hill above the Chekuthan Bridge (Musavari Bridge). This hill is still known as Bungalow Kunnu (Bungalow Hill) today. It is said that Smith provided shelter to several upper-class Hindus who fled out of fear of Tipu’s army, and they subsequently settled in this area.
In the early days, centered around the temple, the surrounding areas were known as Tharas (settlements) named Padinjarethara, Thekkumthara, Kottathara, and Edathara. The central settlement, Edathara, eventually became Thariode village, while the others became villages bearing their respective names.
In the great flood of 1099 ME (1924 CE), the Kuthirapandi Road and its bridges were destroyed. Their remnants (such as girders) could be seen in the rivers until 1972. The natural lake (Chira) in this panchayat was formed as a result of a massive landslide that occurred on the Cheengannur hill in Manjoora during this very flood.
Indigenous Tribes
Kattunayakar: The original inhabitants of Wayanad, the Kattunayakar tribe, have lived here since prehistoric times. Belonging to the Negrito race, they originally lived in tree hollows and caves. They speak a dialect influenced by Telugu that has no script. Their diet consisted of wild fruits, honey, tubers, and the meat of birds and animals caught using traps; agriculture was foreign to them. They did not know how to hunt actively or make weapons for hunting.
Paniyar: Although the Paniyar have been in Wayanad since ancient times, they originally migrated from the Kozhikode and Kannur districts. They belong to the Proto-Dravidian race and have their own unscripted language influenced by Malayalam, Kannada, Tulu, and Tamil. Sacred groves (Kavus) were situated adjacent to their colonies.
Kadar: The Kadar are a community that inhabited this region from very ancient times, living mainly in areas like Chellattu, Edatharakunnu, and Kodunchala.
Kurichyar: The Kurichyar claim to be the descendants of the heroic bowmen and warriors sent by the King of Thekkumkoor to aid Pazhassi Raja in his war against the British. Historically, they practiced strict untouchability (Ayitham) towards all communities except Brahmins.
Migration History
With the onset of British rule in Malabar, migration from the northern districts of Kerala began. The initial wave of migrants included communities like the Nairs and Menons from Palakkad, Manjeri, Mankada, and Thalassery, as well as Muslims from Kozhikode, Koduvally, Malappuram, Thalassery, and Vatakara. They initially lived as tenant cultivators (Paattakkudaayanmaar) under the early landlords. According to the British Survey Settlement rules, a title deed (Pattayam) for the land could be obtained by paying a tax of one and a half Annas (6 Paise) per acre. However, before that system came into effect, the entire land in this village had already fallen into the hands of various landlords. A Muslim family that came from Nadapuram established the Vattath Estate and later became the prominent landlords of the region.
In the 1940s, timber traders came to the Thariode area in search of wood to manufacture railway sleepers required for railway construction in Malabar. Eventually, timber trading became the primary occupation in Thariode, and large portions of the forests fell prey to their tools. Large-scale logging took place in Perunthada, Vattam, Choorani, Karimbinthodu, and Kumbalavayal, and numerous people who came for jobs related to this trade settled down in these areas.
Mass migration occurred after 1940. Due to the severe food shortage following World War II, numerous families from the Travancore region reached Thariode in search of cultivable land. This migration continued until 1952. They led a life full of hardships, farming on land leased directly from landlords or clearing and occupying forest lands.
Initially, tapioca was the main crop. Later, lemongrass cultivation and lemongrass oil distillation became a major occupation. Crops like ginger, coffee, black pepper, cardamom, and coconut were introduced later. Historical records indicate that the earliest migrants in Thariode Panchayat cultivated crops like little millet (Chama), finger millet (Muthari), foxtail millet (Thina), and maize, alongside cattle rearing. Black pepper was the prominent plantation crop back then, with few other major crops. In the estates established later, the main crops became coffee, cardamom, and oranges. The post-1940 migrants cleared forests to start large-scale farming, focusing on quick-yielding crops like tapioca, lemongrass, and vetiver (Ramacham). Rice cultivation was carried out not only in the paddy fields but also on hill slopes.
Development History
Thariode Panchayat, which was originally a part of Vythiri Panchayat, was formed in 1962. Initially, there were only six schools in this panchayat. The first school was the Government Lower Primary School, established in 1925 on land belonging to the Kallattummal family. In 1950, the A.L.P. School by the Kerala Adijathi Seva Sangham started at Thariode 12th Mile, and in 1952, St. Mary's L.P. School, started by Karuthedath Mathai Sir, began operations at the 8th Mile. The Higher Elementary School under the Malabar District Board was upgraded to a High School in 1946. The L.P. School started in the Chennalode area in 1946 later became the Government U.P. School.
In Wayanad, the tribal people lived in harmony with nature and were generally robust and healthy. They possessed a foundational knowledge of herbal medicines and home remedies, which they used for treating illnesses. The upper-class migrant families also possessed basic knowledge of traditional local treatments. The earliest healers in Thariode were traditional local physicians (Nattuvaidyamaar) who emerged from these groups.
The Allopathic system of medicine was brought here by the British, who arrived to open estates in the gold-mining forest areas. The clinic run by a British gentleman in Vythiri was the earliest source of medical aid. The Government Hospital established in Vythiri was the first formal medical center in Wayanad.
Thariode Panchayat relies solely on road transport; it lacks rail and water transport networks. The nearest railway station is Kozhikode Railway Station, located 80 km away, and the nearest airport is Calicut International Airport (Karipur), 110 km away. The Vythiri-Kuthirapandi road connecting Vythiri to Mananthavady is a very ancient road. In 1972, it was taken over by the PWD and recognized as a major link road. In 1973, a public KSRTC bus service was started from Kozhikode to Thariode. There was also a private bus service from Pudusserikkadavu to Vennayot via Kalpetta. Later on, a few Fast Passenger services from Kozhikode to Mananthavady, along with KSRTC Ordinary services like Mananthavady–Kavumannam–Thariode, Mananthavady–Thariode, and Vythiri–Mananthavady (via Thariode, Pozhuthana), were introduced.
Cultural History
The earliest inhabitants of Thariode were primitive hill tribes. The group known as the 'Kattunayakar' belongs to the Negrito race. Today, their population accounts for only 3.5% of the total population of the Thariode area. Another major group is the Paniyar, who are believed to belong to the same race. However, unlike the Kattunayakar, they do not share the same deep attachment to deep forests.
The Kurichyar, who are believed to have arrived in Wayanad during the reign of Pazhassi Raja, showed great diligence and interest in acquiring land, farming, and animal husbandry. Distinct from the Kattunayakar (who depended on the forest for livelihood) and the Paniyar (who were willing to work like bonded laborers for others), the Kurichyar maintained distinct social customs and rituals.
Natural forces and fierce deities are the objects of worship for the tribal communities. The Kattunayakar did not have formal places of worship, whereas the Paniyar had their own sacred groves (Kavus). The Kurichyar, on the other hand, worshipped inside formal temples. Members of the Paniyar community also worship in Hindu temples now. Superstitions still hold ground among these groups; the firm belief that sickness is caused by divine wrath is still prevalent among some.
'Daivam Kanal' (manifestation of the deity) was a ritual common among both the Paniyar and Kurichyar. Though changes are visible today, the practice of untouchability within communities like the Kurichyar still exists in subtle, diminished forms.
In Thariode Panchayat, the Hindu and Christian populations are roughly equal in number, while the Muslim community constitutes about 20% of the population. Among them, the Hindu and Muslim communities arrived in Thariode before the 20th century, whereas the Christian community migrated and settled here after 1939.
The earliest places of worship for the Hindu community were the Kumbalavayal Maha Vishnu Temple and the Pazhoor Vishnu Temple (located near the current Grama Panchayat office). The Edathara Shiva Temple is also an ancient place of worship. The first place of worship for Christians was established at the 8th Mile.
The native folk art forms of this region include the traditional dance of the Paniyar community and the accompanying Thudi (a small drum) percussion. Women dance to the rhythmic beats of the Thudi and the Kuzhal (wind instrument). As the drumming intensifies, the pace of the dance increases. From the end of the rainy season until the harvest is over, celebratory dancing and cheering are common sights in all Paniyar colonies, a tradition they preserve diligently.
The highly attractive songs that used to echo through the fields during paddy transplantation are becoming rare today. During collective transplantation, men would stand on the banks beating the Thudi and blowing the Kuzhal, a custom they referred to as 'Kambalam'. Women would plant the saplings in perfect rhythm with these beats, showing immense enthusiasm for Kambalam sessions.
The first Muslim mosque established in Thariode is located at Chennalode and is estimated to be over 150 years old. The mosque at Kavumannam was built at a later date. Between 1945 and 1955, a dedicated theater institution named 'Vijaya Natana Kala Samithi' operated with Thariode as its cente