Karalam
Grama Panchayat

Before 1977, Karalam Grama Panchayat was a part of the undivided Kattur Panchayat. Even before the national movement influenced this Panchayat, the Sree Narayana Movement, the activities of the Pulaya Mahasabha and the influence of the Nair Service Society had started social reform activities.

During those days, the freedom struggle movement got roots here through the students who were studying in schools in places such as Cherpu and Irinjalakuda. Along with this, activities against social evils and caste thoughts also became active.

Khadi spinning centres were started in many houses and reform activities such as Panthibhojanam were strengthened. Afterwards, the activities of political parties became very active.

Although there were no significant trade union or farmers' movements at that time, there were struggles for land and isolated resistance against the tenancy system. 90% of the land was in the possession of a few landlord families.

Later, due to the land reform laws implemented, the majority of ordinary people and agricultural labourers became landowners.

Even before 1926, LP schools were functioning in Karalam, Kizhuthani and Vellani. For higher studies, the children from here mainly depended on schools in places such as Irinjalakuda and Cherpu.

The UP School started in 1955 was later upgraded as Karalam High School and is now upgraded as VHSS.

The reading rooms, art associations and women's organisations that existed in Karalam, Vellani and Kizhuthani helped to bring about many notable changes in the social and cultural fields.

Many of those who were associated with this initiative later became famous writers and cultural activists.

The transportation of goods was mainly through waterways. The Edathiruthy market was depended upon as the main market for the products.

This region, which was very backward in terms of transportation, saw some change in the situation when a bridge was constructed across the canal at the Pullathara area on the Karalam-Irinjalakuda road during the British rule.

Now transportation has improved greatly. In the Karalam area, which had the nature of an island, the construction of many new roads has helped it to connect with other areas.

Electricity first reached here in the 1960s. From the early days itself, post offices were functioning at Thanissery and Karalam. Now there is also a post office in the Vellani area.

Telephone service first reached the Panchayat area in the 1980s. Now telephone facilities are available in most areas of the Panchayat.

The Panchayat was formed in 1977.

Around 450 hectares of paddy fields have soil filled with alluvial deposits. As a result of introducing the group farming system in these fields, which are a gift of the Karuvannur River, there has been progress in productivity.

About 4 tonnes of paddy are produced per hectare.

The main agricultural crops of this Grama Panchayat are paddy, coconut, arecanut, banana, black pepper, cashew, pulses, vegetables, etc.

Even before the formation of Karalam Panchayat, there were many associations here which maintained a high standard in the field of arts and culture.

Karalam Kala Samithi, Kizhuthani Grameena Kala Samithi, Thanissery Kala Samithi, Karalam Grameena Vayanashala and Vellani Grameena Vayanashala are only some of them.

The ceremony called Pothott Onam in the month of Kanni, which was conducted in connection with the agricultural harvest with representation only from agricultural workers, and the folk songs and Kolkkali associated with it, are now only a memory.

Thottam Pattu and other ritual art forms are also becoming unfamiliar today.