SOCIAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY

When Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, invaded Malabar, the British forces of the East India Company came to the aid of the Vadakkilamkur Raja, who ruled Kolathunad, and provided protection to the Thalayil Achans, who were feudatories of the Kolathiri Raja. When the compensation promised to the East India Company in return for this assistance was not paid in due time, the Thalayil Achans granted the East India Company the right to collect revenue from the lands on both banks of the Anjarakandy River.

In 1799, the British purchased five kandis (large tracts of cultivated land) for cultivating pepper, coffee, cinnamon, sandalwood and other crops. Later, they purchased another half kandi for loading and unloading goods onto boats. This historical background eventually led to this small region becoming known by the name Anjarakandy.

The cinnamon plantation at Anjarakandy, which was the second largest in the world and the largest in Asia in terms of area, brought worldwide fame to the region. Known as the Randathara Cinnamon Estate, this cinnamon plantation is one of the most prominent plantations established by foreigners in India. It was also the first plantation in Kerala to be owned by a foreigner. Coffee cultivation was first introduced in Kerala here.

The period of the Brown Sahib family, who were popularly known as the Anjarakandy Saipanmar, and the arrival of Europeans had a significant influence on the social and economic life of the region. Cinnamon oil and cinnamon bark, which have a good market even in foreign countries, were produced here and exported.

In 1800, a battle between the army of Pazhassi Raja and the British took place on this soil, and Pazhassi Raja captured the cinnamon plantation. The people of Randathara provided wholehearted support to Pazhassi Raja in this battle. In 1803, Pazhassi Raja and the British fought again at nearby Kathiroor, and the East India Company regained control of the plantation.

In 1789, Madock Brown, who had served in the French service and later worked with the British as a Superintendent of Police, became the overseer of the plantation. He leased the plantation from the East India Company for a period of 90 years. After Brown Sahib, the administration of the plantation was taken over by his descendants, and it came to be known as Brown's Cinnamon Estate.

The Brown family introduced many notable changes to the cultural sphere of Anjarakandy. They initiated a new system for surveying land in Anjarakandy and maintaining its records. As part of this development, the first Sub-Registrar's Office in Kerala was established at Anjarakandy during that period.

The Anjarakandy Debt and Credit Cooperative Society, the first cooperative institution in Kerala, was established on 2 February 1914, with Robert Edward Brown as its first member.

The bungalow built by Brown Sahib on the banks of the Anjarakandy River, following the same architectural model as the Brown family's bungalow situated on the banks of the River Thames in England, still stands today.

During the British period, various European plantation owners constructed roads for their own needs. The roads connecting Chakkarakkal–Panayathamparamba, Thattari–Panayathamparamba, Thattaripalam–Palayam, and Kavinmoola–Purathakkad became important milestones in the transportation history of Anjarakandy.

In 1943, the administration of the Brown family came to an end, and a British woman named Mrs. Margaret Gracie became the owner of the plantation. In 1967, a British man named Craig Jones purchased the plantation.

The Anjarakandy Panchayat was formed by including only the territorial area of Anjarakandy Village, which was formerly part of Chirakkal Taluk.

The geographical features of the region consist of elevated and extensive hilly areas, slopes, gently sloping plains, and paddy fields. The Anjarakandy River, which originates from the western side of the Wayanad hills, flows westward and divides into two branches at Dharmadam before finally reaching the Arabian Sea.

The Anjarakandy River, which has witnessed the historical events of Anjarakandy, flows through the cinnamon plantation and then gently passes near the Anjarakandy Panchayat.

The Mampa Siyarathunkara Makham, which is famous throughout North Kerala, is situated in Anjarakandy. The Nercha held at Siyarathunkara Makham, the final resting place of patriots who lost their lives while fighting the Dutch for the liberation of their homeland, was an excellent example of religious harmony in the region.

Anjarakandy consists of five localities: Paleri, Anjarakandy, Kameth, Mampa, and Muringeri.

In 1942, the first library in Anjarakandy was established under the name Muzhappala Granthalayam. Although geographically situated outside Anjarakandy Panchayat, the Sree Narayana Jnanapradayani Reading Room at Nalampidika played a pioneering role in initiating almost all social, cultural, and educational activities in Anjarakandy.

The first meeting of the governing committee of Anjarakandy Panchayat was held here on 5 November 1955. On 12 June 1957, Anjarakandy High School also began functioning from this reading room. Even today, the principal workers and supporters of this reading room are people from Anjarakandy Panchayat.

In 1950, a farmers' conference was held at Velangery House in Mampa under the leadership of V. A. Ambu, with the participation of prominent leaders of the farmers' movement. These conferences played an important role in the formation and growth of farmers' and mass organisations.

One of the important cottage industries in the region was flattened rice (Aval) production. Anjarakandy also held a prominent position among the handloom industry centres of Kannur.

Considering the importance of universal education, the first school in Anjarakandy was established at Palayam under the name Anjarakandy Elementary School.

CULTURAL HISTORY

Anjarakandy Grama Panchayat has a rich background of artistic, sports, and cultural activities that distinguishes it from other regions.

The dominance established by the British in the Panchayat from the latter half of the 18th century had a considerable influence on social life. At a time when the landlord and feudal systems were flourishing with great authority in neighbouring areas, their influence in Anjarakandy was comparatively limited.

Although practices such as untouchability, unapproachability, and other forms of social discrimination existed, they were not as severe as in many other regions.

The majority of the people in the Panchayat belong to the Hindu and Muslim communities. Christians are also a significant religious community in the Panchayat. Although people follow different customs and rituals, they have traditionally lived together in unity and harmony.

Among the Hindu communities are Nambiar, Vaniya, Thiyya, Malaya, Vannan, Pettuvan, Karimpalan, Kollar, Thattan, Asari, Pulluvan, and Kaniyan, along with several sub-groups within some of these communities.

Different customs and rituals are followed in connection with birth, death, and marriage. Despite differences in religious and caste-based customs and practices, there exists a distinctive cultural undercurrent that brings them all together, truly exemplifying the principle of unity in diversity.

There are numerous ancient temples and sacred groves throughout the Panchayat. There are also mosques serving the Muslim community.

The Theyyams performed in temples and sacred groves—including Muthappan, Thamburatty, Kuttichathan, Gulikan, Bhadrakali, Chamundi, Bhootham, Bhairavan, Vishnu, and Moorthy—along with Shaiva and Vaishnava deities and their legends and beliefs, have had a profound influence on the minds of the people.

There are also several places of worship in the Panchayat that are renowned for religious harmony. The Mampa Siyarathunkara Palli Makham is one of the most important places of worship in this category.

Famous Theyyam artists such as Raman Peruvannan, Kunjambu Peruvannan, Kannan Peruvannan, Andi Panikkar, and Kottan Panikkar, who are now deceased, lived in the Panchayat.

The AKG Memorial Reading Room, known as Kannadivelicham, used to publish a handwritten magazine.

In earlier times, Ambili Kala-Samskarika Samithi and Kunjikrishnan Memorial Kala Samithi were among the well-known cultural organisations that functioned actively in the Panchayat.

In the past, various traditional games that contributed to recreation and physical fitness were widely popular. These included Ittikali, Gotti Kali, Thalamakali, Kothankallu Kali, Njondikali, Soda Kali, Kabaddi, and Chatti Kali.