History
History of the Grama Panchayat
Social Development History
The history of Kodenchery Grama Panchayat is a saga of sacrifice, resistance, struggle, and triumph of hard-working farmers who arrived in search of fertile virgin soil. In the early days of the 20th century, Unnichaman (Kuttayi) from Feroke and Koyappathodi Ahammad Kutty Haji purchased the Odacharthu (logging/harvesting rights) from the feudal landlords—the Manniledath families, who had received rights over this land adjacent to the Western Ghats from the Zamorin kings—for the right to cut and clear reeds, bamboo, and timber. The valuable timber and bamboo were transported through the Chalipuzha and Iruvanjippuzha rivers, which flowed with abundant water even during summer, to Kallai, a prominent timber trade center. It was the invaluable forest wealth of this hilly region that made Kallai a world-renowned timber industry hub.
Around 100 to 150 elephants, a larger number of buffaloes, and numerous laborers worked deep inside the forests to cut timber and bamboo and haul them to the rivers. Multiple Oottupuras (eating houses/mess halls) were established to prepare food and provide accommodation for these workers. Several place names evolved in connection with these mess halls. For instance, the place where a copper vessel (chempu) used for cooking rice was recovered after being washed away came to be named Chembukadavu.
In 1942, Chembakathungal Mathai purchased 5,000 acres of land from Unnichaman, where timber had been cleared, at a rate of ₹3.50 per acre. Out of this, 2,500 acres were registered under the name "C.D. Mathai and Company" as an estate named Poolavalli Estate. The remaining 2,500 acres were purchased by the Diocese of Calicut and named Amalapuri Colony, and an advertisement regarding its sale was published in the Deepika daily. In Central Travancore rural areas, which were suffering from poverty and financial hardship due to World War II, the advertisement in Deepika became a major topic of discussion. Consequently, nine adventurous families from Moonnilavu migrated to distant Kodenchery in Malabar in 1944 (1113 Makaram 13).
The settler community began cultivating the new land, focusing on quick-yielding crops such as tapioca, lemongrass, and paddy. Fr. Montanari, a missionary deputed by the Diocese of Calicut to look after the welfare and religious rites of the new settlers, served as a pillar of support for them. Once every two weeks, he would trek on foot from Thamarassery to visit various settlement areas, providing medicines, comfort, and words of solace to the sick. The first church in Kodenchery was established at Ambalakkunnu near Kannoth. As the population grew, it was relocated for convenience to Ambattupadi, and later to its present location near the town where the Kodenchery L.P. School stands today.
Educational History
The educational journey of Kodenchery began in 1946 with a single-teacher school serving 10 children of various ages. The vision and support of Catholic missionaries from the Diocese of Calicut, combined with the eagerness and cooperation of settlers who possessed at least primary education, helped educational institutions take firm root here. Anticipating government recognition, classes were started in 1946 with Thoppil Thommikunju as the first single teacher. Around the same time, educational institutions anticipating approval were also initiated in Kannom and Velamcode.
In 1949, Velamcode School earned the honor of becoming the first government-recognized school in the Panchayat, receiving permission to conduct classes from Grades 1 to 3. On June 3, 1950, approval was granted for the L.P. School in Kodenchery to run classes from Grades 1 to 5.
The tenure of Fr. Deciteus was the golden era of Kodenchery, and his contributions are etched in gold in local history. The construction of the Kodenchery–Pulikkayam and Kodenchery–Velamcode roads, the building for Kodenchery L.P. School, the Kodenchery High School building, and the iconic Kodenchery High School ground were all constructed during his time.
Transport & Transit History
In 1950, under the leadership of Fr. Kuriakose Kudakachira, the vicar of Kannoth Church, local residents built the Kannoth–Kaithapoyil road through voluntary labor (Shramadanam). Under the leadership of Fr. Deciteus, development works were carried out irrespective of caste or creed. The 5 km-long Velamcode–Koodathayi road was cleared and made motorable in a single day through the collective efforts of the settler population, led by the vicars of Kodenchery, Velamcode, and Mykkavu churches. Today, this remains the primary motorable PWD road connecting to Kodenchery.
During the construction of the Kodenchery L.P. School, materials such as roof tiles, burnt bricks, and steel rods could only be transported by lorry as far as the Eerudu River, where lorry transit ended. From there, the local residents carried all building materials on their heads over a distance of 4 km to Kodenchery. Amidst the financial hardship and severe illnesses of early settlement, the selfless cooperation of the community drove Kodenchery's rise.
Settlement History
Vadakkel Kochetton, an early settler who envisioned the form and structure of modern Kodenchery back in 1944, is regarded as the architect of modern Kodenchery. In the early days, postal services were available to the residents only at Omassery. In March 1951, a branch post office began functioning in Kodenchery, with mail delivered by an Anchalottakkaran (traditional post runner). This branch post office was upgraded to a sub-post office in 1972.
From the beginning of migration, settlers formed cultural organizations to preserve their heritage. Kathaprasangam (storytelling performance), band music, and drama performances were organized during local festivals and on other occasions. Pedikattukunnel Joseph (who owned stage curtains and equipment for dramas), J. Abraham (a Kathaprasangam artist), and Jose Varghese (a playwright, actor, and director), led by Vadakkel Kochetton Nambudakath Varkey, were prominent figures who drove the cultural renaissance of the Panchayat.
In the early settlement period, only primary education was available locally. Pursuing high school education required traveling to Kunnamangalam or Kozhikode, which was very expensive. Thanks to the efforts led by Fr. Deciteus, a high school was sanctioned in 1954 and commenced operations in Kodenchery. For higher education, children relied on colleges in Kozhikode city. On August 15, 1980, as an Onam gift, the government sanctioned a Government College for Kodenchery.
Transport History (Additional Details)
During the initial phase of settlement, residents of Kodenchery and surrounding areas relied on the markets of Kozhikode, Mukkam, and to some extent Thamarassery for essential food items and medicines. The Kozhikode Railway Station was the sole gateway to reach native districts such as Kottayam and Ernakulam. Early settlers often walked all the way to Kozhikode for medicines and essential needs.
It was a common sight back then to see settlers with bundles of luggage and infant children waiting for hours at the Kozhikode bus stand for buses operated by the C.W.M.S. company on the Kozhikode–Wayanad route. Even after boarding a bus to Thamarassery or Kaithapoyil, they had to walk for hours along forest tracks (ealu) used by elephants to haul timber to reach Kodenchery. People from the Mykkavu and Velamcode regions traveled on foot from Mukkam and Thamarassery.
The active presence of Christian missionaries since 1944 was instrumental in driving community action focused on education and development. Under their leadership, the settler community created numerous mud roads connecting various parts of the Panchayat, including the prominent Kodenchery–Kainadi Estate–Kodenchery road.
Cultural History
Kodenchery possesses a rich cultural heritage, acting as an extension of the inland village culture of South Travancore. Despite the hardships of early settlement life, their deep-rooted culture expressed itself during church feasts (palli perunnal), which served as major social gatherings. The band set formed to enhance these festival celebrations was the first art troupe in Kodenchery.
Today, Kodenchery Grama Panchayat houses numerous formal educational institutions from nurseries to degree colleges, alongside informal learning centers. A Panchayat library was also established very early on.
Kodenchery holds a prominent place on Kerala’s sports map. Arjuna Award winner Sally Joseph, who captained the Indian National Volleyball Team, and Mathru Varghese, captain of the Indian Youth Football team and later a national player, are among the sporting icons of Kodenchery. Film producer Swargachitra Appachan, who produced award-winning Malayalam films, is an alumnus of Kodenchery High School. Child actor Santhosh Antony, who portrayed an iconic character in the movie Kadavu directed by Jnanpith laureate M.T. Vasudevan Nair, also brought pride to the region.
J. Abraham Master, a popular Kathiga (storyteller), captivated audiences across Malabar during the early migration era. Fr. Jacob Aalungal, headmaster of St. Joseph's High School, brought the first radio to Kodenchery; crowds would gather on the high school veranda in the evenings to listen to news broadcasts.
While the overnight construction of the Kallantharamedu–Koodathayi road through collective effort was an early example of community unity, the historic Jeerakappara Forest Conservation Movement stands as a landmark event highlighting modern community solidarity.
