Ponkunnam is the head quarters of Chirakadavu Panchayath in Kottayam Dist of Kerala. NH 220 Kollam - Theni and State Highway No1 Punalur- Moovattupuzha cross through this town. It is 30 kms east of Kottayam town. The name Ponkunnam is only 110 years old. Padmanabha Pillai, then the Kanjirappally Magistrate coined it, during the inauguration of the first market of Chirakadavu on 1st Makaram in KV 1079(AD 1895). Former name was Porunnukadu cherikal in Vadakkum Bhagom muri. During Tamil Sangam period the land was part of Natuzhinatu . Later it was part of Vempolinadu . When it was divided to Thekkumcore and Vadakkumcore, Chirakadvu was part of Thekkumcore. There was one illam (small palce) of the King in Kanjirappally .During this periods, flocks of Vellalas migrated to this fertile area from Kumbhakonam in Tamail nadu. They were agriculturists as well as traders. They built the ancient temples (Maduara Meenakshy and two Pillayar kovils) in Kanjirappally Muslims followed .Later Christians too migrated to this area.
King Marthanda Varmma captured Thekkumcore and Chirakadvu became a part of Travancore. For the help rendered in war Marthanda Varma gave the title of large fertile area including Chirakadavu, Cheruvallay and Peruvanthanam to Vanjppuzha Chief of Chenganoor without tax (karmazhivai). Till 1953 Vanjippuzha Madom owned the title of entire land.
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Both Chirakadavu and Cheruvally temples are ancient
( more than 1000 year old) and both are having large ponds equal to the size of that belongs to Sri Padmanabha temple in Trivandrum. This shows that the area was highly populated in last century. The name Chirakadavu was derived from Chira which means large pond.
The ancient Uppu Pandakasala (Storehouse for salt) was started in 1751. Kottayam -Kumali (K.K) Road was built in 1861 and Plice Ameen Court was opened in 1875. Police out-post came in 1884. In 1885 CMS LP School was started in Attickal by A.F.Painter. Govt Hospital was started in 1889 in Kanjirappally. The 3rd class magistrate court was started in 1791. Kovoor K. N. Ipe was the first Magistrate. The office of Registrar was started in 1892 .In 1910 the present Court building was built under the leadership of Punnamparabil Neelakanta Pillai. Bus service was started in 1922 by MT & AR company. Later Majappaly Ramakrishna Pillai and Dasan Antoney started motor services. In 1947, Police of then the Divan, CP. Ramaswami Ayyer in Trivandrum renamed the ground as Rajendramaidan in memory of the boy who was shot. K.K. Brahamchari started publishing The Mathideepam magazine in 1919.
In 1906 a Trust was formed under the leadership of Punnamparambil Neelakanta Pillai, which carried out development works in Ponkunnam. Later the Village committee under the leadership of Pariyarathu Kuttan Pillai (P.N. Pillai, Kamalayam) initiated many developmental projects. He built the first commercial shopping complex in Ponkunnam and the street was called Kamala Bazaar, after his first daughter Kamala .In 1923 under the Patron ship of Vanjipuzaha Thampuran, Industrial Bank was started by Joseph Puthumana. In 1928 Manajappally Ramakrishna Pillai started Kamalodayam Bank. In 1924 co-operative bank started functioning.
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History of “Vazhoor”
According to Srimath Sreedhara Swamikal ,the name Vazhoor was derived from “Sreevazhum oor” which means the land of prosperity.(R ef: Sapthai smaranika of Sr iBhagavathu Vilasom NSS Karayogam, No 743 Vazhoor west 2005) In a play in which Elamkovan is the hero and Kosala is the heroine ,the name Vazhoor was used first.
Years back when there was Portugese attack a group of people including Nairs, Vaniyas, Blacksmiths and 5 Brahmins migrated to Central Travancore from Thiruvanchikkulam. They settled in the fertile land now known as Vazhhor. The Brahmins brought their deity Kodungalloramma along with them. Kodukali oo r (the land of goddess kali) became Kodungoor. The root of many of the Nair houses in Vazhoor is at Thiruvanchikkulam .Each year a group of people used to visit Kodungalloor with agriculture products. For an episode of small pox in KV 583 Chingom 13th , Rs.150 ware donated to the temple .
In olden days girls from Vazhoor were not given in marriage to boys on the northern side of Thripprayar and girls from that are were not acceptable to boys from Vazhoor.
According to P.G.rajendran(Kshethra Vijanankosam of DC Books 2000 the nam eKodungoor was derived from “kuda thangia oor”(the place where umbrella remained) and the diet was brought by Meenchil Kartha (Kumbani Madom of Javakattu Kottaram)
There are two deities in Kodungoor temple. One Kiradan(Lord Siva) and the other Kiradi(Parvathy).The importance is for Parvathy hence it is a Devi temple (Ref: Chenganoor Devi temple.There too is Lord Siva)
(Ref:Kerala charithra Directory 1946Editor Philip George,Changanacherry)
Dr.Kanam
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Mangattu Family of Vazhoor
How SVRVHS Vazhoor was born
During 18th century one of the members from Kumbani Kartha family of Poovarani in Meenachil Taluk migrated to Vazhoor and settled in Kallothazhe of Vazhoor East. Later a group from this branch settled in Valiplakkal in Vazhoor South. In KV 1079(AD 1900) they were divided to Mangattu, Puthiyaparambil and Ezhuveli. Mangattu group settled in Vazhoor South (Chamampathal) in a traditional Kerala style house with arah and koottikettu. There were 5 sisters and two brothers. Govinda Pillai was the eldest. That was the era of Uncle administration and children had to face many difficulties
At that time there was only a footpath between Kodungoor and Kadayanukadu. There was thick forest. There were plenty oft tigers and leopards . People used to fell trees in cherikal land to cultivate. Rice and tapioca were the main items. When Govinda Pillai and brother Krishna Pillai matured, the family got plenty of food and clothes.
Govinda Pillai born on Chithira star on 17th Kanni of KV 1059 (1884). He studied maths, vakyam, paralpper from kudipallikkoodam (traditional Kerala school).At that time a branch of Maliyekkal family from Puthupally was living in Vazhoor east. They were known as “ Akasthanathu Kuruppanmar”. They were academicians ,petty lords and martial experts (kalari kurups).People called them “Kollatahu yejaman”. Puthuppally Maliyekkel was a soldier of Thekkumkoor. From Kanakkari in North to Kaipattoor in Southand from Illikkal stone in East to Arabian sea in West were under the control of this family. One of their branch was living in Paraur Vadakkekara in Ernakulam dist. One of the members of this branch was very pious and became a sanyasi and became a disciple of Chattampi Swamikal. Thus Theerthapada Swamikal was born. He came to Vazhoor and lived there with his mother. He was expert in astrology, vastu and traditional medicine. People from distant places used to visit him. Mangattu Govinda Pillai and Madathil Rama Panicker of Kodungoor became his disciple .So they helped him to construct an Asram in Vazhoor.
In 1806 portion of Kudumbiyam kuzhi cherikal owned by Mangattu was donated to the Swami. . Next year a small hermitage was built there. Govinda Pillai learned literature, astrology and vastu from Swamikal Govinda pillai first married from Kattiaparambil. When she died he remarried Janaki Amma from Chozhamplakkal ,Poovarani .She was the daughter of Alancheril Raman Pillai, Thsildar od Tamilnadu.
The couple had no issue. So they adopted Gopalakrishnan and Ramankutty, children of his younger brother Krishan Pillai. . In KV 1100 Govinda Pillai was elected as the Member of Srimoolam Preja sabha. The Vazhoor-Manimaal Road (6kms) and Thekkanam and Adamattom bridges were constructed by Govinda Pillai. Vazhoor Anchal office, Magistarte Court in Ponkunnam and various Schools in Vazhoor became reality by his efforts.
In K.V 1087 Nayar Karayogam was registered in Perunnai. Govinda Pillai helped Mannom and Theerthapadar to organize the Nair community. On 27.3.1111, No 827 Vazhoor South NSS Karayogam was registered. To construct a center for Hindu Mahila Mandiram of Sreemathy Chinnamma , Govinda Pillai a d Ramapanicker bought 15 acres of land from Kakkamthottil Mukkadu Thoma. Later this land was became the property of Kamalalayam P.N.Pillai of Ponkunnam After some time NSS Karayogam bought the land.
Presently the SVRVNSS HS & College are situated there.
M.K Gopala Krishan Nair ,s on of Mangattu Krishna Pillai was adopted by Mangattu Govinda Pillai. He Studied in KV. School, Ponkunnam, SB College Changanacherry SD College Alleppey and University College Trivandrum . Joined Kangazha School. In 1952he joined MGM HS, Pampady. When he came to know that the Government is giving sanction for new English Schools he gave a request to start one such school in Survey 278/2 in memory of Mangattu Govinda Pillai. But the 4 NSS Karayogams had the plan to start a school. And they formed a Union for this aim. With the help of Vidyananda Theerthapada Swamikal they formed Sanathana Dharma Seva Sangam.(1951).
Members
Vidyananda Theerthapada Swamikal
Vanmattathil Raman Nair
Mangattu Gopalakrishanan Nair
Thundathil Raghavan nair
Madathil Narayana Panicker
Vadkkechennamkulathu C.R.Sivankurrt Nair
Perumpral Narayanan nair
Kizhakkedathu Govindan Nair
Poovakkulathu Narayanan Nair
Vattakkanathu Krishna Pillai
Myladupara Velayudhan nair
Naduvilechoozhukunnel Bhaskaran nair
Kallothazhathu Gopalan Nair
Manimangalathu M.N.Sankara Pillai
Velliyedathu Neelakandan Nair
Edappallykunnel Madhavan nair
Mannumkal Raman nair
Vathallooparambil Narayanan Nair
Kallamplackal Narayanan Nair
Nariyankal Madhava Panicker
Girimandirathil Ramam Marar
Myladupara Kesavan Nair
Mangattu Gopalan Nair
Manackalpurayidathil damodharan Pillai
Kunnappallil Sivasankara n Nair
Valiyatharayil Narayanan Nair
Nataraja vilasom P.J.Bhaskaran nair
Chollalputhenpurayil Ramakrishan Pillai
(only 3are alive in 2005)
The request given by MKG Nair was transferred to this society headed by Swamiji. With the help of Kumbalathu Sanku Pillai, Swamikal got permission from A.J. John, then CM, to open the new School. Thus Sree Vidyadhi Raja Vilasom (SVRV) High School was born in 1953.
1st & 4th forms were started on 1st June 1953 in Bhagavathi Vilasom NSS Karayoga Mandiram No 743.Vidyananda Theerthapad Swamikal inaugurated the School. There were 125 students. M.Nanappa Menon came on deputation from St. Albert’s High School Ernakulam was the first HM. Mangattu Gopaal Krishan (Thankappan) Nair, Mudanthiplackal Viswanathan Nair, Umpukattu Anandavally Amma and Areekal C.K.Sivaraman Nair were the teachers. In 1954 the School building was completed. N.damodharan Pillai from Chengannoor Govt HS joined as the HM.
In 1965 NSS started a College in Theethapadapuram.
The War key from Ponkunnam
Ponkunnam Varkey was a fearless critic of Divan Sir. C.P Ramaswamy Ayyar,Catholic Church and Priests. He was a well known Short story writer, Play writer and Story writer for films. His first book was Thirumulkazha.At first he wrote with the name VidwanV.A.Varkey.Ponkunnam V.J.Joseph author of the poetry Thyagadarsam asked Varkey to change it to Ponkunnam Varkey.
His popular stories include Model, Idivandi, Manthrikettu, Vazhavettu, father Plenkodu,Anthnee neeyum achanayoda? Tution etc.
Plays include Vazhithurannu ( on the life story of M.P.Paul ,the Critic),Visakkunna Karinkaly, Vissarikku Kattuvenda, Althara and Kathirukana Kili
Films include
Navalokam, Althara
The short story “ Sabdikunna Kalappa” about the love between a farmer and his ox is one among the best 10 Malayalm stories, ever written
Vazhithuruvu is his incomplete autobiography.
He was imprisoned by C.P and made an outcaste by Catholic Church.
He was born in Edathuva. Lived for sometime in Ponkunnam.
Was teacher in Alampally School.Permanently settled in Pampady.
He was President of Sahithya Prevarthaka Sahakarana Sangom.
Died in 2004 at the age of 94 without completing the proposed Novel
Ponkunnam became well known in the minds of Malayalees through Varkeyssar.
But why there is no monument for Varkeysar in Ponkunnam.Suppose somebody asks to point out his residence in Ponkunnam who can do it successfully. Is the word prefix “Ponkunnam” in his name is enough for the connection.
Why not we Christian the PP Road as Ponkunnam Varkey Road?
Kannamthanam Vs Prof.K.M.Chandy
Veteran freedom fighter, KPCC President, Rubber Board Chairman and Gujarat Governor late Prof .K. M.Chandy, had the honesty to state that the story of St. Thomas coming to Kerala and converting a few Nambothiri families to Christianity in 1st Century A.D is a fabricated one. (see his Autobiography -“vazhiyora kazchakal” 1999
page 14.) This he did, years before the revelation by Pope Benedict XVI (“…Thomas evangelized Syria and Persia, reaching western India, from where Christianity later reached southern India too….”. Asia News, Vatican 27th September 2006)
It was my practice to project Alphonse Kannamthanam, born in a rural village, Manimala, in Kottayam dist as role model to school children, in my health education classes in schools. Last week I gave the keynote address in my alma mater, 145 year old CMS LPS in Kanam, and followed my usual practice of projecting Kannamthanam as role model and advised to read his autobiography “Making a Difference” (Malyalam version-“ India mattethinte Muzhakkaom”). Yesterday I got a letter from a smart girl from Kanam stating that one of the statement in Kannamthanam’s book is false .So I again went through the book and astonished to see that the left wing follower Alphonse boasts of his heritage. He claims that his ancestors were upper caste Namboothiries and were baptized by none other than St. Thomas in 1st century A.D.
Kannamthanam lacks the honesty of Prof.Chandy. Remember way back in early 60’s Rationalist Edamaruku Joseph published a book in Malayalam titled “St.Thomas keralathill vannittilla”. I think Kannamthanam failed to read this book even while preparing for IAS. He failed to note that during 1st century AD (part of Sanghom period) the inhabitants in “Cheralam” were mainly kuravars, maravasr,ulladars ,uzhavars and Vellalas and there were no brhamins/Namboothiries at that time (refer :Sanghom literature-“ Chilappathikaram” and “Manimeghala”).
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