കൽപ്പകഞ്ചേരി
ഗ്രാമ പഞ്ചായത്ത്

History of Kalpakancheri Grama Panchayat

The village got the name “Kalpakancheri” because the area was once densely covered with Kalpaka trees. In ancient times, Kalpakancheri was under the control of Vettathunadu. Later, when Vettathunadu came under the rule of the Zamorin of Kozhikode, the land ownership in this region came under the control of Mandayathupuram, Kizhakke Kovilakam Poomullimana, Paakkathumana, and Keraladhiswarapuram Oottu Brahmaswam. A small portion of land was also occupied by the Vattaparambu family. During that period, nearly 60% of the land in the area remained barren.

It is believed that during Tipu Sultan’s military campaigns, his soldiers camped at Nadayalparambu and Cholakkamadu in Kalpakancheri. Even today, around a hundred pits can still be seen on the rocks at Cholakkamadu, believed to be associated with those camps. Similar remains and pits were visible in Nadayalparambu until recent times. The soldiers may have chosen these places because they were elevated areas offering convenience and security for observing the surroundings.

It is also said that the father of Muytheen Mooppan of the Mandayapurath tharavadu, a prominent Muslim family in Kalpakancheri at that time, maintained friendly relations with these soldiers. They had the authority to impose and collect taxes under the feudal system. Early Panchayat Presidents such as M.A. Mooppan (Mandayapurath Ahmed Unnimooppan) and Aalikutty Mooppan (Kochunni) belonged to this family lineage.

Before the formation of the Panchayat, six members from Kalliyath family, from Beerankutty Haji to Hussainkunji, served traditionally as “Menonmars” in the local administrative body known as Amsakacheri.

Around the 1940s, Kalpakancheri Panchayat also functioned as a judiciary. In earlier times, resting platforms known as “Athani” were established at Randathani market and along the old trade routes passing through the area to allow travelers carrying heavy loads to rest. Two such Athanis existed for traders traveling to Kalluvettichantha and Kottakkal markets. Since the place had two Athanis where loads were unloaded, travelers named the area “Randathani.” Similarly, nearby places such as Puthanathani, Kuttikalathani, and Kurukathani also got their names due to the presence of Athanis.

Among the ancient mosques in the Panchayat, the most prominent is the Kanancheri Juma Masjid. Based on available records, the mosque is believed to be more than four centuries old. Renowned religious scholars, including Panakkad Syed Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal, studied and stayed here. Famous Quran translator Marhoom Mohammed Amani Moulavi and scholar Abdurahman Fazfari (Kutti Musliyar) also served as teachers here. Even today, bodies are brought for burial to the Kanancheri Juma Masjid cemetery from regions within a radius of nearly forty kilometers, including Tanur, Pang, and Karekkad.

The first roofing tiles produced in 1911 by the Basel Mission Tile Company established at Kodakkal were used for roofing the Kanancheri Mosque. Several places in Kanancheri were also used as hideouts by freedom fighters during the Malabar freedom struggle.

An ancient Hindu temple known as “Haivandaram Kavu,” situated across Kalpakancheri and Valavannur Panchayats, is around 200 years old. It is believed that the Parakkad Nayanmars once resided there. Although the temple lost much of its earlier prominence over time, restoration works were later carried out. Even today, its ownership remains linked to an ancient Mana (traditional Brahmin household) in Marakkara Panchayat.

The village also contributed notable figures to India’s freedom struggle. One of the most prominent was Chekkutty Sahib of Odayappurath, who actively participated in the independence movement alongside Muhammad Abdurahiman and even underwent imprisonment. He was known for his courage, maturity, and noble character. During his underground activities, he moved among the people in different disguises and names. He successfully combined freedom struggle activities with religious reform movements. Randathani and Kalpakancheri served as important centers of his activities.

Many patriots from the Panchayat also participated in the Khilafat Movement, which formed part of the national freedom struggle. During that period, British forces raided houses throughout the Panchayat and arrested many men. Several of them spent years in prison or were deported. Some, including Palliyath Muytheen of Kalpakancheri, were executed by hanging by the British army.

After hearing that British troops had opened fire at Tirurangadi Mosque, enraged protesters attacked the Tirur Treasury, Kalpakancheri Sub Registrar Office, and Kalpakancheri Police Station. While the British army camped at Kadungathukundu, freedom fighters practiced shooting with guns in nearby Athirumada.

During the freedom movement, leaders such as K.K. Ippan, Muhammad Abdurahiman, and Keraliyan visited Kalpakancheri several times. After the Malabar Freedom Struggle, labeled by the British as the “Malabar Mappila Rebellion,” was brutally suppressed under martial law, the activities of the Indian National Congress became more active in the region.

During British rule, Kalpakancheri Panchayat was under the old Malabar District Board. The Panchayat officially came into existence on 10 October 1940. At that time, Panchayat members were selected by the Revenue Department based on land ownership. The Panchayat then covered an area of seven square nazhikas. The Kalpakancheri Sub Registrar Office has a history of more than a century. Before its establishment, the people of Kalpakancheri depended on the Tirunavaya Kodakkal Registrar Office.

Educational History

The contributions made by volunteers and eminent personalities towards the educational development of the region are invaluable. The prominent educational institution in the Panchayat, Kalpakancheri Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, was established in 1958. M.A. Mooppan donated the land required for the high school. Under his leadership, a committee collected ₹10,000 from local residents and another ₹10,000 from the block administration to construct a five-classroom building.

In earlier times, Othupallis (traditional learning centers) where religious and secular education were imparted together existed in many parts of the Panchayat. These institutions later paved the way for establishing primary schools.

The oldest formal educational institution in the Panchayat was the Kalpakancheri Paleth G.M.L.P School, established in 1902 under the Malabar District Board. Later, schools such as Parappuram G.M.L.P School, Kanancheri G.M.L.P School, and Airani G.M.L.P School were established.

The present Randathani G.U.P School was initially founded by Kizhakkepuram Muhiyaddeen Pallikkal Thangals and later shifted to Randathani. Likewise, the institutions run as “Mollakkamar Othupallikoodams” later evolved into Thozhanur West A.M.L.P School and Thozhanur East A.M.L.P School.

To promote women’s education, a Government Board Mappila U.P School exclusively for girls was established at Kalpakancheri Mele Angadi. This later became Kalpakancheri Government High School. Subsequently, the L.P section was separated and Kalpakancheri G.L.P School was formed. Later, institutions such as Manjachola G.M.L.P.S, Thozhannur M.A.L.P.S, and Kazhingalparambu Chinakkal M.S.M Higher Secondary School were also established.

Cultural History

Among the ancient mosques in the Panchayat, the most prominent is the Kanancheri Juma Masjid, believed to be over four centuries old. Renowned religious scholars, including Panakkad Syed Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal, studied here. Famous Quran translator Marhoom Mohammed Amani Moulavi and scholar Abdurahman Fazfari (Kutti Musliyar) also taught here.

The ancient Hindu temple “Haivandaram Kavu,” located across Kalpakancheri and Valavannur Panchayats, is around 200 years old.

Chekkutty Sahib, who worked closely with Muhammad Abdurahiman in the freedom struggle, was a symbol of courage, maturity, and noble character. He was also a spontaneous poet who wrote letters in poetic form while in prison. His Mappila songs and literary works are still preserved by family members and close associates.

Kalpakancheri village is home to people of different castes and religions who preserve high cultural values and live harmoniously without communal conflicts. Muslims form the majority community in the region, and the village has around 35 mosques.

Major Hindu places of worship include Kudungathundu Mamullikkavu Temple, Kallingalparambu Haivandaram Kavu Temple, and Karinarappu Bhagavathi Temple.

The Panchayat’s only recognized library is the National Library at Kadungathukandu, established on 1 May 1980. A cultural center also functions adjacent to the Panchayat Office under the administration of Kalpakancheri Grama Panchayat.