Edakkad

Edakkad is one of the grama panchayats in Kannur District of Kerala state, in southern India.

History

Edakkad grama panchayat of Kannur in ancient times was referred to as Madhya-adavi (in Sanskrit" Madhya" means middle and "Adavi" means forest). Similarly "Eda" means middle and "kadu" means forest. Thus the malayalm derivative “Edakkad” is an adaptation of its original Sanskrit name. Edakkad also was historically referred to as Prashnamargapuram. This honorary name evolved due to the famous astrological treatise called "Prashna Margam" being written by Panakkattu Sankaran Namboodiri at the Lord Narasimha temple ("Edakkadappan" temple) in this panchayat.

"Sree Oorpazhachi Kavu"

A prominent temple in the Edakkad grama panchayat is the "Sree Oorpazhachi Kavu" (ooril pazhakiya eachil kavu or ooril pazhakiya achi kavu). The name of this temple renders itself to two etymological interpretations. The former meaning pazhakiya (ancient) kavu (grove) surrounded by Eachil ( a herb) and the latter meaning pazhakiya (ancient) achi (mother goddess) kavu (grove) . Irrespective of what may be the more authentic interpretation for "Oorpazachi Kavu", it is the presence of this temple at Edakkad that imparts historical significance to the area. One finds reference to this famous temple in the Malabar Manual by William Logan, the British collector of Malabar.

"Ooralar"

In the pre-British era and to some extent through the British era local political and jurisdictory administrations were performed through hereditary village assemblies and temple committies called "Ooralar". The term "Oor" means village and "Ooraalan" ("Ooraalar", if joint partnership) means master (masters) or proprietor in these villages. The "Sree Oorpazachi Kavu" temple was the seat of such a socio-political body that enjoyed partial autonomy and administered the region. Nine prominent Nambiar families were "Ooraalar" and constituted the village and temple assembly that arbitrated local administration. They belonged to a further endogamous denomination among Nambiars called "Randu Illam Vargam" (As they derive their ancestry from Mullapalli Illom and Velloor Illom). The nine "Ooralar" families ( [http://www.edakkadnambiars.net] ) are as follows:

1. Meppad

2. Thyngoli

3. Chettianbrath

4. Keethari

5. Kaappiath

6. Keloth

7. Thykandi

8. Paarayil

9. Kolathattil

After the Land Reforms Ordinance was enacted by Kerala State Government and the breaking of "Janmi- kudiyan" (feudal tenancy relationship) system "Sree Oorpazhachi Kavu" and the Ooralar families donot have any socio-political influence in the area. However the eldest-male from these matrilineal families still perform their role as "de facto Ooralar" in the "Sree Oorpazhachi Kavu" temple administration during ceremonial events. Like most villages in Malabar, Edakkad has also suffered extensively during the invasion of Tipu Sultan.

"Other Nayars of Malabar"

In later years other prominent families among the nayars of malabar like "Neeliyath" and "Koroth" have also made settlements in Edakkad.

"Edakkad Bathakka"

Traditionally the Edakkad area was famous for its local watermelon ("Citrullus lanatus", Family Cucurbitaceae) referred to as "Edakkad Bathakka".

Demographics

This grama panchayat has a mixed population of the Hindus (mainly Ezhavas /Thiyyas and Nambiars) and a minority Muslim population.

Local information

Apart from the "Sree oorpazachi Kavu" and "Edakkadappan" temples "Sree Ganapathy temple" in the west of Edakkad and "Indery Ambalam" near Edakkad bazaar are other popular destinations of Hindu worship. There is also an ancient mosque at Edakkad bazaar .The panchayat also has a "Saliya-theruvu" (weaver's street) where traditional weaving is still performed in several households to date.

Educational Institutions

1. There are two primary schools at Edakkad. There are secondary schools at Kadachira and Thottada (within Edakkad Block).

2. Govt. Polytechnic college is situated in Thottada. This college is under the department of technical education of Kerala and has different branches such as Civil, Mechanical, Electrical,Electronics, textile and Wood technology.The Diploma is awarded by Technical education Board, Kerala.

3. The Edakkad block also has one prestigeous industrial training institute under state government.

Notable Personalities

Late K.K. Vijayan Nambiar (an eminent astrologer of Kerala)

References

[http://www.edakkadnambiars.net/ Edakkad website]