History of Grama Panchayat
Administrative History
Due to the continuous pressure from local organizations, local administrative bodies known as 'Village Unions' were established in a very few villages in Travancore during the 1940s. Following this, the Mayyanad Village Union was established in 1945, with Panayil Krishnan Muthalali serving as its first President. The progressive social workers of Mayyanad played a vital role behind the establishment of a post office in 1880, a railway station in 1900, a telegraph office in 1946, and a government hospital in 1948 in this village.
In 1953, popular panchayats came into existence across all villages in Thiru-Kochi (Travancore-Cochin). Consequently, the Mayyanad Village Union was upgraded to the Mayyanad Panchayat, with Professor K. Raveendran becoming its first President. A panchayat reorganization took place in 1962, during which one ward from the Mayyanad Panchayat was merged with the Eravipuram Panchayat. The committee enjoyed a long, continuous administrative tenure of 16 years. Later, under the Panchayati Raj system, 33% reservation for women was implemented at all levels. As a result, the position of the Mayyanad Panchayat President was reserved for a woman.
Social History
In the 16th century, the Panankavu Royal Palace was situated at the present location of the Kollam Railway Station. The pedestrian route from there to Thiruvananthapuram—which reached Cheroor along the path of the current railway line, turned east through Aalummoodu, passed the southern side of the Umayanalloor temple, reached Ottaplammoodu, crossed the Ithikkara River, and proceeded via Nedungolam and Chirakkara—was known as the 'Kollam Peruvazhi'. Descriptions of this local society can be found in C.V. Kunhiraman's Grama Samudayam and C. Kesavan's Jeevitha Samaram.
In 1895, Dr. Palpu submitted a petition signed by 13,000 Ezhavas to the King, demanding their rightful privileges regarding school admissions and government employment. Subsequently, an order was issued allowing Ezhavas to study in government schools without facing untouchability. As a result, two schools were sanctioned in 1896: one in Vellamanal and the other in Paravur. Handloom weaving and coir spinning were the primary sources of livelihood for the villagers, and these traditional industries prospered until 1960. During the 1920–1930 period, white jaggery was produced from sweet toddy in the Thanni area. Lace-making was a traditional handicraft for women in the Pullichira and Kakkottomoola regions. Furthermore, during the 1950s, Chellappan Chettiar was the leading producer of coconut oil in the Kollam district.