Thachanattukara
Grama Panchayat

Thachanattukara and Chethallur, formed from the ancient regions known as “Thachan Ettukara” and “Sidhanalloor,” possess a rich and ancient history. This region was granted royal sanction by Cheraman Perumal and later came under the rule of the Zamorin rulers. The Nair, Thiyya, and Cherumar communities of the panchayat are believed to be descendants of the Naga tribes who migrated to the hilly regions of Malabar during different periods of history.

These communities worshipped hill deities, and their major centers of worship included the Shiva temples at Puthanangadi, Pazhancheeri, Kodakad, Mullakkal, and Kizhisseri, the Edassery Vettakkorumakan Temple, and Ayyappa temples at Kulankarathodi, Kalathupadi, Nedumbakunnu, and Kizhakkumpuram. Communities such as the Panan, Parayan, and Mannan, belonging to the Adi-Dravidian group, had settled in this region centuries ago.

It is believed that Naranathu Bhranthan, one of the legendary “Parayi Petta Panthirukulam” associated with Vararuchi, was born and raised at Aamayur Mana. The “Moolam Oottu” festival celebrated in the Malayalam month of Meenam is believed to commemorate his death anniversary.

With the arrival of Aryan communities, Vishnu temples were established in places such as Chethallur, Kodakad, Mullakkal, Kurumali, Raman Thrikkovil, Thencheeri, Kizhakkumpuram, Govindapuram, Mundambalam, Elamkunnu, Kizhisseri, and Kurumalikkavu. As Aryan and Dravidian groups began living together harmoniously, subordinate deities were also consecrated in these Vishnu temples.

The Dravidian tradition of serpent worship was adopted by communities such as the Namboothiris, Guptans, Nairs, and Thandans, who established sacred serpent groves (Pambinkavu) in their household compounds.

The Muslim settlement in the panchayat dates back several centuries. Evidence of early Muslim habitation can be seen in the mosque ruins, mosque ponds, and graves found in Pallikkalchola at Annamthodi, the graves near the Parammal Madrasa, and the graves that once existed at the present site of the Pothiyil Juma Masjid.

Different communities contributed significantly to shaping the cultural identity of the panchayat. The Panankurissi Bhagavathy Temple was established by seven Arya Vaisya families, including Musaliyath, Ambalath, Ayichath, Karippuman Veedu, Pothirath, Adiyath, and Koothan Veedu. Until recent times, the administrative authority of Chethallur village traditionally belonged to this community.

Members of the Chakkiliya community, who worship Maduraveeran, are believed to have been brought from Telugu regions during the reigns of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan to manufacture leather equipment for military purposes. The Chettiar community, worshippers of Mariamman, also settled in this region. Arankundu is believed to have been inhabited by the “Aran” community who practiced Shakteya worship in their homes.

Several communities such as Brahmins, Guptans, Pothuvals, Thandars, Cherumars, and Mannans followed the “Makkathayam” inheritance system, while Nairs, Variyars, and Veluthedans followed “Marumakkathayam” until social reforms transformed these practices.

Ancient memorial stones (Nattukallu), megalithic burial sites (Nannangadi), and archaeological remains from the Megalithic Age have been discovered throughout the panchayat. Burial chambers made of stone slabs containing the remains and belongings of the deceased have been found in places like Palode, Karakkad, Valiyaparambu, Melekodakad, Kuttankavu, Vazhakkad, and Ambalaparisaram.

Remains of ancient iron mines known as “Ayirumada” found in Kuttankavu, Chethallur Bank area, Kodungakkalam, Valluvakkadankunnu, Choolumkunnu, Palode, Mundambalamkunnu, Pilakkunnu, and other places indicate extensive iron mining activities in ancient times.

Naranathu Mana, where Naranathu Bhranthan lived, along with Bhranthan Kunnu and the legendary rolling stone, continue to attract students and researchers of history.

The earliest inhabitants such as Nairs, Thiyyas, Cherumars, and Mannans originally possessed land ownership rights. However, with the arrival of Brahmins and the construction of temples, land rights were gradually donated to temples, Brahmins, and kings.

The Karinkallathani–Sreekrishnapuram Road and the Tipu Sultan Road passing through Nattukal and Thallachira are historically associated with Tipu Sultan’s military campaigns. The feudal Janmi–Kudiyan land system continued in this area until around 1970.

The Khilafat Movement of 1921 against British rule also influenced this region. Although some antisocial elements attempted to misuse the unrest, Hindus and Muslims of the area united against violence. When Athippatta Mana in Chethallur was attacked, Muslims from Karinkallathani and Puvvathani helped resist the attackers and recover stolen property.

Many people suffered exile, punishment, and torture during British suppression of the rebellion. Several local individuals actively participated in the Indian freedom struggle. Indira Gandhi and Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan visited the panchayat during different periods.

The region also possesses a proud artistic and cultural legacy. In 1893, Othenath Raman Nair began teaching Kathakali at Edamana in Chethallur. Later, the Kathakali school was led by Karippottu Narayanan Moossath. The renowned Kathakali artist Thekkinkattil Ravunni Nair authored the work “Natyarachana” and received honors including awards from Kottayathu Thampuran and the Central Sangeet Akademi Award from President Rajendra Prasad in 1963.

Many skilled artists in temple arts, drama, dance, music, Ayyappan songs, Ayurveda, astrology, carpentry science, traditional medicine, and shadow puppetry emerged from this region.

Major festivals include the Nageni Puja celebrated during the Malayalam month of Makaram and the Panankurissi Pooram festival. Traditional art forms such as Thira, Poothan Kali, Kalavela, Parichamuttukali, Nayadikali, Thiruvathirakali, Kolkali, Duffmuttu, Oppana, Pulluvan Pattu, Ayyappan Vilakku, Bhagavathi Pattu, Kalampattu, and Kaikottikali remain popular.

Legends associated with Thachanattukara, believed to have been gifted to the carpenter who built the Lakshagriha for the Pandavas, the caves from Thallachira to Arakkparambu, Chotta Bhagavathy Temple, Pothumungippara, elephant gathering grounds, ancient graves, memorial stones, megalithic tombs, and iron mines all preserve memories of the diverse communities that shaped this land.

The society here reflects a harmonious blend of Aryan, Dravidian, and Islamic cultures. Hindu-Muslim unity has played a major role in shaping the cultural identity of the panchayat. Temples, mosques, festivals, Poorams, Nerchas, Onam celebrations, Nabi Day celebrations, and various traditional art forms continue to strengthen communal harmony.

Once part of Valluvanad Taluk in the Malabar District, this region later became a border area between the districts of Malappuram and Palakkad around 1969.