Kanam (Kerala)
Encyclopedia
Kanam is a small place in Kottayam district
of Kerala
. It is approximately 25 km from Kottayam Town
.
(Mother goddess) temple in Kanam. Edappally Thampuran had a consort in the Parappally Kaimal’s family and when Thampuran died, she returned to Kanam with the documents relating to the properties. Therefore, the Edappally Swaroopam, the family of the Thampuran , never cared to look after the Bhagavathy temple and the properties. The temple was in a dilapidated condition. The ruins of the temple were removed by the newly came Christians and they settled in the Southern parts of Kanam. The temple tank, known as “Amrutham Chira”, which was used to irrigate the nearby paddy fields was filled up and converted into paddy field. The northern and western parts of Kanam were bought from the Kutaluvally Namboothiri by the aristocratic Vellala family of Thundathil
of Parappallil family died in 1935 and the properties were divided among his children and grand children. The sites of CSI Church and School and that of Jacobite
church at Chettiyare were donated by Parappallil Kaimal. The Church Mission Society started the Primary School near the CSI church about 85 years back and converted many of the pulayas
and Parayars
of Kanam to Christianity
. The Christians that colonized the Southern parts of Kanam started rubber plantations. Late PV. Varghese popularly known as Kunjoojukutty Mapilla was the biggest planter and it was he who built a two story building, “Payikadu” in Kanam, popularly known as “Malikayil” near CMS School.
Now the 80 year heritage house, is a tourist attraction.
For more information about CSI church and the CMS school visit
www.csichurchkanam.com
In 1966 Kanam Balabhavan started at Kanam under CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese. At that time 40 boys who came from needy situations were admitted irrespective of caste or creed. The CSI church set apart one acre of land for these need. From the very beginning till 2011, Late Mr. K E George was the manager and backbone of Balabhavan. Hundreds and hundreds of children attained good position after their education. Children are getting ample opportunities to develop their talents apart from their academic studies. Cow rearing, Rabbit rearing, Bee keeping ,agriculture , gardening etc. were some of the work experience programmes in the earlier times. Currently around 50 children below 13 years are staying here and studying in the CMS High School. After secondary school they are guided to choose higher or technical studies according to their aptitude. These children are supported by foster parents in Germany as well as in India.
s and Vellala
s were admitted only as exception. As a consequence Shanmughavilasom Arumugham Pillai of Thundathil family, started Shnamugha Vilasom Primary School. With the support of late N.S Raman Pillai, Peshkar of Kottayam. Many of the members of Thundathil family like Cherukappallil Chellamma, Kalappurayidathil Sankara Pillai and Krishna Pillai and Shanmugha Vilasom Ammini Amma were teachers of this school. CMSLPS grew up into Middle and later High School in course of time. These three temples of learning started by CMS produced many doctors, engineers, teachers, Government officers and defense personnel from Kanam.
hence the junction got the name Elappunkal.. There was a way side inn near the junction and the Karthas were distributing free buttermilk
to travellers during summer.
.. Small scale industries like hand loom weaving, cotton dyeing and printing
were all attempted in Kanam but were turned out to be casualties of the war. Shanmughavilasom Arumugham Pillai started weaving factory near Kotchukanjirappara in Naithusala parambu, headed by Mr. Gopalan Nair of Nedumkunnam.
and Vishu
by the pulayas of Eattikal. But with the Pulayas embracing Christianity nobody came for annual offerings after the late Oman Pulayan. Now the place has been converted into an Ayyappa
Temple with monthly poojas.
Younger generation took to native bale, kilithattu, chadukudu etc. Onam, Vishu and Thiruvathira were celebrated with pomp by Hindus while Christmas
and Easter
were observed by Christians. The common celebration was held to observe the annual Thirunal (Birthday of Maha Raja). The Anniversary of the Primary Schools were observed not only by the staff and students, but also by the general public. School hall was full and at many times people had to stand outside to hear speeches and songs and witness dramas, one act plays, fancy dress etc. Public sports was the salient feature for the occasion, when non student youth also took part.
gradually grew. The State Congress movement has spread rapidly among the Christians but spread slowly among Hindus. Students were the first to raise the banner of revolt. It may seem strange that it was among the Hindu
s that the Communist
ideology began to spread down, even though they were reluctant to absorb the anti Dewan sentiments of the State Congress. With the advent of freedom, Mahtma Gandhi, who used to be the ideal worship by the student population began to be adored by all. Two libraries named after Gandhiji sprang up. Mahathma library under the leadership of TK .Krishnan Nair, KK.Prabhakaran Nair, KC. Sivan Pillai etc. and Bapuji library near CMS Church under the leadership of Kanam EJ, Thottaparmbil Baby Perumprathazhe Vavachan,Venattu Kochu etc. Both had their natural death when the workers, who were students took to job or went away for higher studies, for want of second line workers.
party ticket, was utilized by the young students to educate the common people in socialist ideologies. Mr. TK.Krishnan Nair was the firs to become a party member and later when he returned after graduation, a group was organized with Kanam Sivan Pillai, KK,Prabhakaran Nair,, KK.Raghavan Nair etc. The “Janathiapathya Munnani” under the leadership of Kadayanikadu Purushothaman Pillai had its propaganda machinery working in Kanam , along with Kangazha, Kadayanikadu, Mundathanam, Nedumkunnam and neighboring villages. The “Rationkada Samaram” which brought out people to the street against the unauthorized price hike by ration dealers by way of service charge, rounding off bill etc. During the Panchayat election, a candidate-Perumal Pillai, was put against Mr. PV.Varghese, the Congress candidate , but failed to get representation to Kangazha Panchayat.
By the time the CMS Primary School was upgraded to Middlle School, Vidyadhiraja Swanmikal stated the SVRV School at Theerthapadapuram, Vazhoor.:after CMS UPS was upgraded to High School and st. Pauls UPS at Piulicka kaval was also upgraded. Education spread and every boy and girl had the facility to get general education. Till then only a few fortunate had the facility for higher education, because of its exorbitant cost. Hostel charges which accounted for the 85% of the cost of education, were rendered unnecessary, with the establishment of several High Schools and Colleges in vicinity. With the advent of higher education, facility for political consciousness began to grow and Kanam was able to offer two candidates in the Vazhoor constituency for assembly elections. Adv. Kanam Sivan Pillai(CPM) and Kanam Rajendran(CPI) .The latter won the seat twice. Now the CPM and CPI have strong hold over the village. The communists of early years are leading their retired lives and some of them had died. The names of Pampady Balan, Anickadu PK.Sankara Pillai -“Stalin” Sankara Pillai is now
“Ganapthy” Sankara Pillai Elakkadu purushan, Kadayanickadu Purushothaman Pillai Ex. MLA and Kottayam Bhasi and johny syriac are also associated with the spread of communist ideology in Kanam.
Lyrics of Kanam EJ
Kangazha
is a beautiful place, having a serene atmosphere in Changanacherry Taluk south to Pampady
. Famous for the Mgdm hospital one of the oldest multispeciality community referral hospitals in Kerala. The first Self Finance Nursing College in private sector in Kerala, Theophilis College of Nursing is also situated at Kangazha
. Other educational institutions at kangazha
are PGM college of arts and Science, P Geevarghese School of Nursing, School of Laboratory Technology-MGDM Hospital, Baselios Higher Secondary School, St. Thomas School Kangazha etc.
Kottayam district
Kottayam is one of the 14 districts in the state of Kerala, India. The district has its headquarters at Kottayam town, located at 9.36° N and 76.17° E. According to the 1991 census, it is the first district to achieve highest literacy rate in the whole of India...
of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. It is approximately 25 km from Kottayam Town
Kottayam
Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
.
Story of Kanam
Originally Kanam kara of Kangazha muri, Vazhoor village of Changanacherry taluk in Kottayam Dist, Kerala, belonged to Edappally Swaroopam. There was a BhagavathyBhagavathi
Bhagavathi or Bhagavati is the general way people refer to the Hindu goddesses in Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra states of India. It can be used to refer any of the Hindu goddesses like Durga, Kannaki, Parvati, Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Kali...
(Mother goddess) temple in Kanam. Edappally Thampuran had a consort in the Parappally Kaimal’s family and when Thampuran died, she returned to Kanam with the documents relating to the properties. Therefore, the Edappally Swaroopam, the family of the Thampuran , never cared to look after the Bhagavathy temple and the properties. The temple was in a dilapidated condition. The ruins of the temple were removed by the newly came Christians and they settled in the Southern parts of Kanam. The temple tank, known as “Amrutham Chira”, which was used to irrigate the nearby paddy fields was filled up and converted into paddy field. The northern and western parts of Kanam were bought from the Kutaluvally Namboothiri by the aristocratic Vellala family of Thundathil
CSI Church and School
The last KaimalKaimal
Kaimal was a title of nobility conferred on the Nairs of Kerala by the rulers of Cochin and Travancore. The term Kaimal is derived from Kai which in Malayalam means hand, signifying power...
of Parappallil family died in 1935 and the properties were divided among his children and grand children. The sites of CSI Church and School and that of Jacobite
Syriac Orthodox Church
The Syriac Orthodox Church; is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox church based in the Eastern Mediterranean, with members spread throughout the world. The Syriac Orthodox Church claims to derive its origin from one of the first Christian communities, established in Antioch by the Apostle St....
church at Chettiyare were donated by Parappallil Kaimal. The Church Mission Society started the Primary School near the CSI church about 85 years back and converted many of the pulayas
Pulayar
The Pulayar , also Pulayar, Pulaya, or Pulayas or Holeya or Cheramar, are one of the main social groups found in Kerala, Karnataka and in historical Tamil Nadu or Tamilakam.- Traditions :...
and Parayars
Paraiyar
Paraiyar, Parayar, and Sambavar, anglicised by Europeans as Pariah are a social group found in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and in Sri Lanka . In the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, though they have been enumerated under three different caste names, they have generally been referred to as...
of Kanam to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. The Christians that colonized the Southern parts of Kanam started rubber plantations. Late PV. Varghese popularly known as Kunjoojukutty Mapilla was the biggest planter and it was he who built a two story building, “Payikadu” in Kanam, popularly known as “Malikayil” near CMS School.
Now the 80 year heritage house, is a tourist attraction.
For more information about CSI church and the CMS school visit
www.csichurchkanam.com
Kanam Balabhavan
The Children's Emergency Relief was founded in 1959 by Christians in Duisburg, with the aim to help needy Indian children. Karl Borman, a very ordinary man in West Germany was the founder of the organization. He was influenced by the speech of Newmuller who escaped from Hitler`s jail, about the need of helping suffering people. In October 1959, a small international group with the leadership of Mr. Karl Bornman started Kinternothilfe(KNH). With the help of a Basel mission missionary at the end of 1959, KNH started the first Project in South India at Paraperi under CSI North Kerala Diocese. Slowly many projects started.In 1966 Kanam Balabhavan started at Kanam under CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese. At that time 40 boys who came from needy situations were admitted irrespective of caste or creed. The CSI church set apart one acre of land for these need. From the very beginning till 2011, Late Mr. K E George was the manager and backbone of Balabhavan. Hundreds and hundreds of children attained good position after their education. Children are getting ample opportunities to develop their talents apart from their academic studies. Cow rearing, Rabbit rearing, Bee keeping ,agriculture , gardening etc. were some of the work experience programmes in the earlier times. Currently around 50 children below 13 years are staying here and studying in the CMS High School. After secondary school they are guided to choose higher or technical studies according to their aptitude. These children are supported by foster parents in Germany as well as in India.
Shanmukhavilasom Schools (“Kotchukanjirappara Pallikkodam”)
Admissions to the CMS Primary School were given in a preferential manner to Christians and to those who were likely to be converted to Christianity. NairNair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
s and Vellala
Vellala
Vellala is a small village in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is near the town of Proddutur in the Kadapa District.The village got its name from the locally famous "Vellala sanjevaraswami ", a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman....
s were admitted only as exception. As a consequence Shanmughavilasom Arumugham Pillai of Thundathil family, started Shnamugha Vilasom Primary School. With the support of late N.S Raman Pillai, Peshkar of Kottayam. Many of the members of Thundathil family like Cherukappallil Chellamma, Kalappurayidathil Sankara Pillai and Krishna Pillai and Shanmugha Vilasom Ammini Amma were teachers of this school. CMSLPS grew up into Middle and later High School in course of time. These three temples of learning started by CMS produced many doctors, engineers, teachers, Government officers and defense personnel from Kanam.
Roads
Kodungoor-Kappukadu-Kanam road was built by Shanmughavilasom Arumugham Pillai. Ummini Kartha of Anickadu donated 4 acres (16,187.4 m²) of land for the road. At the starting point there was an athaniAthani
Athani may refer to,* Athani , a village in Greece*In India** Athani , a town in Karnataka** Athani , a village in Kerala** Athani , a town in Tamil Nadu...
hence the junction got the name Elappunkal.. There was a way side inn near the junction and the Karthas were distributing free buttermilk
Buttermilk
Buttermilk refers to a number of dairy drinks. Originally, buttermilk was the liquid left behind after churning butter out of cream. It also refers to a range of fermented milk drinks, common in warm climates where unrefrigerated fresh milk otherwise sours quickly...
to travellers during summer.
Industry
An attempt was made to train weavers in the Weaving school founded and headed by late Mr. Abraham (Parappallythazhe Avarachen) in Athumpanakuzhy, which had a premature death during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.. Small scale industries like hand loom weaving, cotton dyeing and printing
Printing
Printing is a process for reproducing text and image, typically with ink on paper using a printing press. It is often carried out as a large-scale industrial process, and is an essential part of publishing and transaction printing....
were all attempted in Kanam but were turned out to be casualties of the war. Shanmughavilasom Arumugham Pillai started weaving factory near Kotchukanjirappara in Naithusala parambu, headed by Mr. Gopalan Nair of Nedumkunnam.
Place of worship
When the Bhagavathy temple was rebuilt in the Poduvakunnu (Elamkavil), in Kangazha North, Kanam was the only village in the neighborhood, without a temple. The only place of worship left was the Nallanikuzhy Kavu near Kotchukanjirappara Pallikkodam where annual offerings (“Vellamkudi”) was offered during OnamOnam
Onam is a Hindu festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. It falls during the month of Chingam and lasts for ten days...
and Vishu
Vishu
Vishu is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala, usually on April 14 of the Gregorian calendar. This occasion signifies the Sun's transit into the Mesha Raasi , according to Indian astrological calculations, and represents the vernal equinox...
by the pulayas of Eattikal. But with the Pulayas embracing Christianity nobody came for annual offerings after the late Oman Pulayan. Now the place has been converted into an Ayyappa
Ayyappan
Ayyappan is a Hindu deity worshiped in a number of shrines across India. Ayyappan is believed to be an incarnation of Dharma Sastha, who is the son of Shiva and Vishnu . The name "Ayyappan" is used as a respectful form of address in the Malayalam language, spoken in the Indian state of Kerala...
Temple with monthly poojas.
Entertainments in olden days
All the Senior citizens of that time used to meet at Kotchukalappurayidam alias Prevathicar Veedu and play cards, read newspapers and hold discussions. Mrs. Govinda Pillai (Ittooli Kutty Amma was the only lady who took part in playing cards along with men.Younger generation took to native bale, kilithattu, chadukudu etc. Onam, Vishu and Thiruvathira were celebrated with pomp by Hindus while Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
and Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
were observed by Christians. The common celebration was held to observe the annual Thirunal (Birthday of Maha Raja). The Anniversary of the Primary Schools were observed not only by the staff and students, but also by the general public. School hall was full and at many times people had to stand outside to hear speeches and songs and witness dramas, one act plays, fancy dress etc. Public sports was the salient feature for the occasion, when non student youth also took part.
Politics & library movement in Kanam
The national movement had very little impact in Kanam, but with the banning of Malayala Manorama paper and liquidation of National Quilon Bank ( where many farmers had deposits) feeling of antagonism toward DewanDewan
The originally Persian title of dewan has, at various points in Islamic history, designated various differing though similar functions.-Etymology:...
gradually grew. The State Congress movement has spread rapidly among the Christians but spread slowly among Hindus. Students were the first to raise the banner of revolt. It may seem strange that it was among the Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
s that the Communist
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
ideology began to spread down, even though they were reluctant to absorb the anti Dewan sentiments of the State Congress. With the advent of freedom, Mahtma Gandhi, who used to be the ideal worship by the student population began to be adored by all. Two libraries named after Gandhiji sprang up. Mahathma library under the leadership of TK .Krishnan Nair, KK.Prabhakaran Nair, KC. Sivan Pillai etc. and Bapuji library near CMS Church under the leadership of Kanam EJ, Thottaparmbil Baby Perumprathazhe Vavachan,Venattu Kochu etc. Both had their natural death when the workers, who were students took to job or went away for higher studies, for want of second line workers.
Spread of Communist Ideology in Kanam
It was the Mahathma library which sowed the seed of the Communist movement in Kanam. “The Life of Karl Marx” written by Swadesabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai, “Pattabhakki” and other dramas by K. Damodharan and similar books lead to a consciousness of the evils of inequality. The second general election to the State Assembly when Mr. Kangazha Baskaran Nair stood as a candidate with SocialistSocialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
party ticket, was utilized by the young students to educate the common people in socialist ideologies. Mr. TK.Krishnan Nair was the firs to become a party member and later when he returned after graduation, a group was organized with Kanam Sivan Pillai, KK,Prabhakaran Nair,, KK.Raghavan Nair etc. The “Janathiapathya Munnani” under the leadership of Kadayanikadu Purushothaman Pillai had its propaganda machinery working in Kanam , along with Kangazha, Kadayanikadu, Mundathanam, Nedumkunnam and neighboring villages. The “Rationkada Samaram” which brought out people to the street against the unauthorized price hike by ration dealers by way of service charge, rounding off bill etc. During the Panchayat election, a candidate-Perumal Pillai, was put against Mr. PV.Varghese, the Congress candidate , but failed to get representation to Kangazha Panchayat.
By the time the CMS Primary School was upgraded to Middlle School, Vidyadhiraja Swanmikal stated the SVRV School at Theerthapadapuram, Vazhoor.:after CMS UPS was upgraded to High School and st. Pauls UPS at Piulicka kaval was also upgraded. Education spread and every boy and girl had the facility to get general education. Till then only a few fortunate had the facility for higher education, because of its exorbitant cost. Hostel charges which accounted for the 85% of the cost of education, were rendered unnecessary, with the establishment of several High Schools and Colleges in vicinity. With the advent of higher education, facility for political consciousness began to grow and Kanam was able to offer two candidates in the Vazhoor constituency for assembly elections. Adv. Kanam Sivan Pillai(CPM) and Kanam Rajendran(CPI) .The latter won the seat twice. Now the CPM and CPI have strong hold over the village. The communists of early years are leading their retired lives and some of them had died. The names of Pampady Balan, Anickadu PK.Sankara Pillai -“Stalin” Sankara Pillai is now
“Ganapthy” Sankara Pillai Elakkadu purushan, Kadayanickadu Purushothaman Pillai Ex. MLA and Kottayam Bhasi and johny syriac are also associated with the spread of communist ideology in Kanam.
Co-Operative movement in Kanam
The Co-operative movement of the Vazhoor Village also had its roots in Kanam. It was Sri.. MN.Sankara Pillai, HM SVLPS and Payattukala (Vellakallumkal) Chacko who took steps for the Vazhoor Farmer’s Bank.Lyrics of Kanam EJ
Nearby Places
- KangazhaKangazhaKangazha is a panchayath and village in the Changanacherry Taluk of the Kottayam District of Kerala State in India. It is a beautiful place with a serene atmosphere and is situated 26 kilometers east of Kottayam. It lies midway between the backwaters of Western Kerala and the misty mountains...
Kangazha
Kangazha
Kangazha is a panchayath and village in the Changanacherry Taluk of the Kottayam District of Kerala State in India. It is a beautiful place with a serene atmosphere and is situated 26 kilometers east of Kottayam. It lies midway between the backwaters of Western Kerala and the misty mountains...
is a beautiful place, having a serene atmosphere in Changanacherry Taluk south to Pampady
Pampady
Pampady is a small town 16 kilometres east of Kottayam in Kerala, Southern India. It lies midway between the serene backwaters of Western Kerala and the misty mountains of Western Ghats.-History:...
. Famous for the Mgdm hospital one of the oldest multispeciality community referral hospitals in Kerala. The first Self Finance Nursing College in private sector in Kerala, Theophilis College of Nursing is also situated at Kangazha
Kangazha
Kangazha is a panchayath and village in the Changanacherry Taluk of the Kottayam District of Kerala State in India. It is a beautiful place with a serene atmosphere and is situated 26 kilometers east of Kottayam. It lies midway between the backwaters of Western Kerala and the misty mountains...
. Other educational institutions at kangazha
Kangazha
Kangazha is a panchayath and village in the Changanacherry Taluk of the Kottayam District of Kerala State in India. It is a beautiful place with a serene atmosphere and is situated 26 kilometers east of Kottayam. It lies midway between the backwaters of Western Kerala and the misty mountains...
are PGM college of arts and Science, P Geevarghese School of Nursing, School of Laboratory Technology-MGDM Hospital, Baselios Higher Secondary School, St. Thomas School Kangazha etc.
External links
- MGDM Hospital, Devagiri, Kangazha, Kottayam.
- Theophilus College of Nursing, Devagiri, Kangazha, Kottayam.
- P Geevarghese School of Nursing, Devagiri, Kangazha, Kottayam.
- P G M College, Devagiri, Kangazha, Kottayam.
- Baselios Higher Secondary School, Devagiri, Kangazha, Kottayam.
- School of Laboratory Technology MGDM Hospital, Devagiri, Kangazha, Kottayam.