Anad
Grama Panchayat

History of Anad Grama Panchayat

Administrative History Anad Panchayat is located in Nedumangad Taluk, Thiruvananthapuram District. It was officially formed on January 1, 1952, encompassing the entire Anad Village. On November 1, 1953, the first governing body came into existence, with N. Kunjukrishna Nair elected as the first President. Initially, the Panchayat office functioned in a two-story building belonging to the family of Sainudeen Sir near the Anad Temple. Three years later, in 1956, the office was relocated to a specially designed new building constructed on land donated by Pachaveettil M. Kumara Pillai. During that period, the Panchayat held the authority to recruit its own staff, as there was no common service or standardized pay scale structure in place.

In 1976, Anad Panchayat was bifurcated into two separate entities: Anad and Panavoor. A nominated committee was formed by adding new members to the existing Panchayat representatives, with K. Parameswaran Nair nominated as the President of Anad Panchayat and Haneefa as the President of Panavoor Panchayat. This governing body continued to serve for 15 years. Today, Anad Grama Panchayat is a First Grade Panchayat spanning an area of 24.15 square kilometers. Its boundaries are defined by Nandiyode and Panavoor Panchayats to the north, Tolicode Panchayat to the east, Vembayam Panchayat to the west, and Nedumangad Municipality to the south.

Cultural History Historically, the region reflected a social structure rooted in feudalism and the caste system, marked by caste-based division of labor, restriction of freedoms, and oppression. Land ownership was predominantly held by Brahmins and Devaswoms (temple trusts). The population at the time mainly comprised upper-caste tenant farmers known as Kanakudiyans (such as Nairs and Vellalas acting under the landowners) alongside backward classes working the land, including Ezhavas, Nadars, and Muslims. Except for a relatively better standing among the Ezhavas, the condition of other underprivileged groups was extremely precarious, enduring social inequities as part of accepted traditions without open protest.

Prominent Nair and Vellala families dominated the social landscape, while a few Ezhava, Muslim, Christian, and Nadar families held minor land rights. Marginalized communities and the Kanikkar tribe possessed land but remained largely neglected, living in segregated hamlets across the village. Land-related tax systems such as Janmikkaram, Pathivaram, Thirippuvaram, and Rajabhogam were prevalent, while officials like Mandapapillai and Adhikari executed local governance on behalf of the King. Historical accounts mention that during this period, a Pulaya man (Chathan Pulayan) was bought from Pattom and brought here.

Today, the population is a harmonious mix of various Hindu communities (including Nair, Vellala, Ezhava, Veluthedar, Vannar, Asari, Kollan, Chetty, Kammalar, Pulaya, Parayar, Kuravar, Vedar, Panar, and Thattar), Muslims, Christians, a few Brahmin families, an Anglo-Indian family that settled temporarily, and a small population of Kanikkar tribespeople. The Panchayat houses 28 temples, 13 Christian churches, and 5 mosques, with local festivals celebrated collectively across religious lines. The practice of animal sacrifice, which persisted past the 1950s, was brought to an end through the efforts of local progressive movements and replaced by the symbolic offering of ash gourds at Kali temples. The cultural growth of the region has also been nurtured by about ten libraries, among which the Mannorkonam People’s Library (established in 1952) played a pivotal role.

Educational History In 1080 of the Malayalam Era (ME), King Sree Moolam Thirunal visited the region during an official tour. The residents gathered at Anad Junction and petitioned the King for educational facilities for their children, leading to the establishment of the Primary School in Anad. The school initially operated at the site where the present-day market stands. Prior to this, several traditional Kudipallikoodams (indigenous single-teacher schools) functioned as learning centers across various parts of the village.

Christian missionaries contributed significantly to the educational advancement of the Panchayat. Over 75 years ago, a Kudipallikoodam initiated under the leadership of Father Manuel Ambudayan at Chullimanoor R.C. Church eventually grew into S.H.U.P.S. Similarly, a center started 65 years ago at Thangaraja Weaving Shed evolved into Chullimanoor Government L.P.S.

S.N.V.H.S., the only High School in the Panchayat, is situated at the central location of Anad. During the tenure of the first Panchayat Committee, a U.P. School was sanctioned at Attinpuram on land donated by local residents, with recruitment powers managed directly by the Panchayat board. By the early decades of the century, primary education facilities expanded rapidly—starting with Anad L.P.S., followed by Luther Mission L.P.S. Venkavila, Ramapuram U.P. School, and Chullimanoor L.P.S. Attukal Grant School. The S.N.V. U.P.S., which originally functioned under the S.N.D.P. Branch No. 688 at Puthenpalam, was later shifted to central Anad and upgraded to a High School, a milestone achieved through community cooperation and the dedicated efforts of V. N. Gangadhara Panicker.

Local History The name Anad ("Land of Elephants") originates from the historical concentration of elephant herds in the area. Abundant place names and personal titles preserve the memory of an era when wild animals like tigers, leopards, and spotted deer roamed freely. Examples include Kaduva Kurup (a recognized hunter honored with royal titles and gifts after trapping 101 tigers), Vedattipara (where a tribal woman killed by a tiger was found), and place names like Chullimanoor, Pulikkottukonam, Pulippara, Kaduvachira, and Aneykonam.

In early times, healthcare was managed by traditional practitioners (Nattuvaidyans), among whom Sankaran Vaidyar of Kizhakkela Kunnumpurathu Veedu, Raman Pillai Vaidyar of Palottukonam, and Manuvel Vaidyar of Pulikkuzhi were renowned. The first Allopathic Dispensary in the Panchayat was set up at Chullimanoor by Devadas.

In 1100 ME (1925), a cooperative institution registered at Karikkuzhi in Anad Village (which then included Panavoor) eventually developed into today's Farmers Bank. The first Post Office in the Anad area was established at Chullimanoor by D. Chellaraj. Private bus services commenced by the 1940s, and electricity reached the Panchayat by 1953. Around the 1950s, a library named Vijnanapradayini operated under the leadership of Dr. Velupillai. Subsequent organized efforts led to a network of active libraries across the village—including Mannorkonam People’s Library, Anad Yuvajana Samajam Library, Irinchayam United Library, Attukal Karshakamithram Library, and Panayamuttam K.S.M. Memorial Library—all of which contributed immensely to the socio-cultural development of the region.

When the first administrative committee took charge in 1953 under President N. Kunjukrishna Nair, the staff comprised K. Bhaskaran Pillai (Clerk) and Chellappan (Peon), the latter fondly remembered as "Panchayat Chellappan" for his dedicated service. During this period, the Panchayat utilized its own funds to construct footbridges, ponds, mud roads, and small culverts.

The Chullimanoor evening market (Anthichantha) was started on land belonging to M. Chellappan Nadar near S.H.U.P.S., while another market functioned at Iryanaad on land donated by Nanan Mudalali. In 1964, under the leadership of K. Parameswaran Nair (President) and G. Manoharan (Vice President), the statewide Laksham Veedu (One-Lakh Housing) project was implemented locally, rehabilitating families at Maniyamkottu, Chandramangalam, Vettampally, and Karikkuzhi. The Panchayat acquired land for the Chullimanoor Mini Industrial Estate and utilized R.D.B. loans to establish the Chullimanoor Market, Shopping Center, and Panavoor Public Market (with the loan fully repaid later). The evening market was subsequently upgraded to the Chullimanoor Public Market.

Due to the efficient execution of development works through the N.E.S. Block, Anad Panchayat was honored with the status of a "Jayanthi Panchayat." Local Block workers Karunakaran Nair (Grama Sevak) and Krishnamma (Grama Sevika) received awards, while social worker Kumari Vijayamma was recognized as Gramalakshmi. Over time, new roads were constructed with local public support, overcoming various operational challenges. The new building constructed for the Ayurveda Hospital was inaugurated by Chief Minister C. Achutha Menon, after which the hospital was shifted to the new premises. This unified administrative setup continued until the 1976 bifurcation, which established Panavoor as an independent Panchayat.