Triprangottoor
Grama Panchayat

Institutional History

History of the Grama Panchayat

Social and Cultural History

Initially, all the land in this region was under the control of feudal landlords (Janmis). The eastern region was owned by the Panoli family and the Illath Namboodiri landlords, while the western region belonged to the Menapram Devaswom. At that time, the prevailing system was the Janmi–Tenant (Kudiyan) system, which resembled the relationship between a master and a servant. Only landowners had the right to vote. Those who cultivated the land received only a small share of the produce, while the majority went to the landlords. Arbitrary eviction of tenants was a common occurrence. 

In 1948, the eastern hill ranges were sold by the landlords to Advocate Ravunni Marar of Thalassery. Later, Pothan Joseph from Travancore purchased nearly 2,000 acres of land from him and began developing rubber plantations. Although the estate provided employment to many people, the farmers who had been practicing traditional hill cultivation lost their means of livelihood. Eventually, realizing that a considerable portion of his estate was actually government land, Pothan Joseph sold much of the land to farmers through intermediaries. Since the farmers were unaware of the legal complications regarding land ownership, many of them continue to face hardships even today. 

National Movement

K.P. Narayana Kurup, who participated in India's Freedom Struggle and the Quit India Movement, was one of the prominent freedom fighters from this region. INA veterans from the Panchayat included I.N.A. Kunjiraman, Valiyaparamba Kumaran, Puthanpurayil Kangyan Kunjikkannan, Veettipoyil Moossa, Vattappoyilummal Abdulla, Chalil Kunjikkannan, and Kooduthankunnummal Kunjiraman. Shri T.P. Kunjikkutty was another notable personality who participated in the Goa Liberation Movement as part of India's freedom struggle.

Administrative History

During British rule, the Amsham Adhikari (Revenue Officer) served as the chief administrative authority. The first officer was Thirungoth Kunjiraman Nambiar, who also functioned as the Village Magistrate. It is believed that Thrippangottur Village was officially established in 1929. Shortly afterward, it was divided into two villages: Thrippangottur and Poyilur. V.C. Kunjunni became the first officer of Poyilur Village. In 1962, the two villages were merged again to form a single village named Thrippangottur. 

Thrippangottur Grama Panchayat

In 1953, Panur Panchayat was divided to form the Thrippangottur and Poyilur Grama Panchayats. At that time, elections were conducted through a show-of-hands voting system. Shri Pottankandi Kunjahammed Haji became the first President of Thrippangottur Grama Panchayat, while Shri Puthanpurayil Kandyan Kunjikkannan became the first President of Poyilur Grama Panchayat.

Education and Cultural Development

Early Educational Institutions

The earliest educational institutions in the Panchayat were:

• Poyilur L.P. School
• Thrippangottur L.P. School at Kallikkandy
• Paremmal U.P. School
• Thendaparambu L.P. School at Kadavathur
• Kooniparambu L.P. School 

There are valid reasons to believe that the study of Sanskrit and Arabic inspired the establishment of these early schools. The founders of these institutions were well-versed in both languages. Muslim schools were closely associated with the traditional Othupallis (religious learning centres), which were established to provide elementary religious education to Muslim children. The present-day Paremmal U.P. School is an example of such an institution.

The only Government school in the Grama Panchayat is the Narikkode Mala Government L.P. School. It was originally established to educate the children of workers employed in the Vazhamala–Narikkode Mala estates and later developed into the present Government Lower Primary School. 

Cultural Activities

The Panchayat witnessed a progressive cultural awakening during the period of the national movement, the farmers' movements, and the teachers' movement. Although feudal exploitation and caste discrimination existed in the region, schools and other educational institutions began functioning from the early twentieth century.

Religious, cultural, and educational renaissance movements among the Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities led to the establishment of numerous educational institutions throughout the Panchayat. 

Although Hindus and Muslims are distributed throughout the Panchayat, the Christian community is concentrated mainly in Vazhamala. Each community has its own religious beliefs, places of worship, and traditional customs.

Important Hindu places of worship include the Kurulikkavu at Kadavathur and the Madappuras at Vilakkottur, Poyilur, and Chettakkandi. Major annual festivals celebrated by the people include:

• Thulam 10 Festival
• Karkidaka Vavu
• Theyyam festivals held in various temples 

The Panchayat also has Sree Narayana Mandirams functioning as libraries and reading rooms.

There are numerous mosques across the Panchayat. Among the oldest are:

• Kadavathur Juma Masjid
• Thrippangottur Mosque
• Vilakkottur Mosque
• Poyilur Mosque 

The only Christian church in the Panchayat is the Catholic Church at Vazhamala. 

The descendants of the Kurichiya warriors who served under Pazhassi Raja reside at Narikkode Mala, where about 75 Kurichiya families live today.

Freedom fighters, Indian National Army (INA) veterans, and leaders of the teachers' movement played significant roles in promoting the Panchayat's cultural development.

Among those who contributed greatly to the educational renaissance of the region were:

• V.P. Kunjiraman Master
• K.P. Krishnan Master
• V.T. Achyuthan Nair
• K. Chathukkutty Master
• K.N. Ibrahim Moulavi
• N.K. Ahmed Moulavi
• Koyalappurath Ibrahim Musliyar 

Today, around 25 cultural organizations are active in different parts of the Panchayat. 

Village History

• 1929: Thrippangottur Village was established.
• Subsequently, the villages of Thrippangottur and Poyilur were formed.
• 1962: The two villages were merged once again to form the present Thrippangottur Village. 

Panchayat History

• 1953: Panur Panchayat was divided, resulting in the formation of Panur, Thrippangottur, and Poyilur Panchayats.
• The first President of Thrippangottur Panchayat, elected through a show-of-hands voting system, was Shri Pottankandi Kunjahammed Haji.
• The first President of Poyilur Panchayat was Shri Puthanpurayil Kandyan Kunjikkannan.
• On 1 January 1962, the Thrippangottur and Poyilur Grama Panchayats were merged to form the present Thrippangottur Grama Panchayat under G.O. (MS) No. 96/61 dated 28-12-1961.
• The Panchayat remained under the administration of a Special Officer until 1964. 

Presidents of Thrippangottur Grama Panchayat

The following is the chronological list of Presidents of Thrippangottur Grama Panchayat from its formation in 1962 to the present. 

Administrative Committees

Administrative Committee (1964–1980)

President

• Shri Pottankandi Kunjahammed Haji 

Vice President

• Shri P. K. Raghavan 

Members

• N. K. Ahmed Moulavi (resigned in 1965)
• K. Chathukkutty Master
• M. K. Choyi
• O. P. Kalanthan
• V. P. Kunjahammed
• V. K. Chathu
• K. Naniyamma (resigned in 1965)
• Thekkayil Korumban
• A. C. Moossa (filled the vacancy after N. K. Ahmed Moulavi resigned)
• Pullattummal Ammalu (filled the vacancy after K. Naniyamma resigned)
• K. Krishnan (from 1968 onwards) 

Administrative Committee (1980–1985)

Presidents

• Shri Pottankandi Kunjahammed Haji (1980–1982)
• Shri V. P. Abdulla (1982–1985) 

Vice President

• Shri C. H. Kunjahammed Master 

Members

• C. K. Kallyani
• K. Vasu Master
• A. K. Sankaran Master
• K. P. Nanu
• C. K. Ananthan Master 

Administrative Committee (1988–1995)

President

• Shri M. P. Kunjiraman 

Vice President

• Shri A. P. Bhaskaran 

Members

• C. H. Moossa Master
• C. H. Kunjahammed Master
• A. P. Radha
• C. H. Aboobacker Master
• Ettummal Kunjikkannan
• V. Kallu
• C. K. Balan
• Poovvan Chathukkutty 

Administrative Committee (1995–2000)

Presidents

• Shri C. H. Kunjahammed Master (1995–1998)
• Shri K. K. Ramootty Master (1998–2000) 

Vice Presidents

• V. Kallu (1995–1998)
• Kattur Mahamood (1998–2000) 

Standing Committee Chairpersons

• A. C. Ismail – Development Standing Committee (1995–1998)
• Dr. Salma Mahamood – Standing Committee Chairperson (1998–2000) 

Members

• V. K. Sarojini
• O. K. Kunjiraman Master
• Mathath Abdulla Moulavi
• K. P. Rathnavalli
• Poovvan Chandran 

Administrative Committees

Administrative Committee (2000–2005)

Presidents

• Dr. Salma Mahamood
• Shri Kallu Vayalil
• Smt. Sajitha Ishaq 

Vice Presidents

• Shri K. P. Ahmed
• Shri K. M. Moithu Master 

Standing Committee Chairpersons

• Shri C. H. Kunjahammed Master – Development Standing Committee
• Shri Poovvan Chandran – Welfare Standing Committee 

Members

• O. K. Kunjiraman Master
• Shaja Cheelil
• Rajani Chamollathil
• Mathath Abdulla Moulavi
• Aleema Mampally
• Suhra Koororth
• K. K. Sadanandan
• T. P. Yashoda 

Administrative Committee (2005–2010)

Presidents

• Shri C. K. Kunjahammed Haji (2005–2007)
• Shri K. K. Ramootty Master (2007–2009)
• Shri N. K. Abdulla (2009–2010) 

Vice Presidents

• Shri K. Suresh Babu (2005–2007)
• Shri K. Ismail Master (2007–2009) 

Standing Committee Chairpersons

• Sameer Parambath – Welfare Standing Committee
• Sajitha Ishaq – Development Standing Committee 

Members

• Manomohanan Master
• Sajith K. P.
• Kunjikrishnan K.
• Sabitha P.
• Sujatha Kuniyil
• Jayanthi Echilattu Chalil
• A. P. Bhaskaran
• Savithri Valiyaparambath
• P. C. Ayesha Teacher
• Pullattummal Ahmed Haji 

Administrative Committee (2010–2015)

President

• Dr. Salma Mahamood 

Vice President

• Kollummal Balan 

Standing Committee Chairpersons

• M. K. Safeera – Development
• Koyambrath Ismail Master – Welfare
• A. C. Shaireena – Health & Education 

Members

• T. P. Karunakaran Master
• Praseetha B. V.
• V. P. Surendran Master
• T. K. Sankaran Master
• E. P. Biju
• Suresh A. T.
• G. Kunjiraman Master
• V. K. Rajila Teacher
• Shareefa Edavana
• Sakkeena Thekkayil
• Nelloor Ismail Master
• Sharmmila Kallanthodi
• Naseema Chamaaliyathil 

Administrative Committee (2015–2020)

Presidents

• Shri Kattur Mahamood (2015–2019)
• Shri K. Suresh Babu (2019–2020) 

Vice Presidents

• Nisha Nelyattu (2015–2017)
• Usha Rayaroth (2017–2019)
• Sakkeena Thekkayil (2019–2020) 

Standing Committee Chairpersons

• Shaireena P. – Development (2015–2017)
• Nelloor Ismail Master – Development (2017–2020)
• Naseema Chamaaliyil – Welfare
• Sameer Parambath – Health & Education 

Members

• Vasantha A. P.
• Savithri V. P.
• Vasantha K. C.
• Sabitha P.
• Chandri Vadakke Karal
• Sathyan C.
• Pullattummal Ahmed Haji
• Shivan Pallikkandi
• A. P. Ismail 

Administrative Committee (2020–2025)

Presidents

• Smt. Naseema Chamaaliyil (2020–2022)
• Smt. V. K. Thankamani (2022–2024)
• Smt. Sakkeena Thekkayil (2024–2025) 

Vice Presidents

• Balan Kollummal (2020–2022, 2024–2025)
• Nelloor Ismail Master (2022–2024) 

Standing Committee Chairpersons

• Koyambrath Ismail Master – Welfare
• Shameena Kunjiparambath – Health & Education 

Members

• A. K. Bhaskaran
• Sudha Vasu
• Shaima K.
• V. P. Surendran Master
• T. K. Sankaran Master
• Anapparakkal Nanu
• Bindu Kurukkanparambath
• Manojan V. P.
• T. P. Yashoda
• Hajara Yusuf
• Sulaikha C. K. 

Administrative Committee (2025–2030)

President

• Shri Gafoor Moolassery 

Vice President

• Smt. Shreya Balan Kollummal 

Standing Committee Chairpersons

• Naseema Chamaaliyil – Development
• Arshif K. P. – Welfare
• Muhammad V. P. – Health & Education 

Members

• Rajani Tharappurath
• A. K. Bhaskaran
• K. C. Mukundan
• Anisha V. Kariyarichal
• Rijila K. P.
• Ajayan A. K.
• Afsal P.
• Venugopal Ettummal
• Abdussamad Arakkal
• Jareeda Azhakath
• C. N. Pavithran
• Aarif V. K.
• Nithya Rajan
• Ramya P.