Irimbiliyam
Grama Panchayat

Irimbiliyam Grama Panchayat

Irimbiliyam Grama Panchayat is situated in Tirur Taluk and Kuttippuram Block of Malappuram District. The panchayat, which falls within the jurisdiction of Irimbiliyam Village, has an area of 20.49 square kilometres. The panchayat consists of 17 wards. Its boundaries are Moorkkanad Panchayat and Thiruvegappura Panchayat of Palakkad District to the east; Thiruvegappura, Parudur and Anakkara Panchayats of Palakkad District to the south; Edappayur and Moorkkanad Panchayats and Valanchery Municipality to the north; and Valanchery Municipality and Kuttippuram Panchayat to the west.

Irimbiliyam Grama Panchayat was formed in 1962. Situated on the banks of the Thoothapuzha and Bharathapuzha rivers, Irimbiliyam Panchayat is primarily an agricultural region. The major crops cultivated here include food crops such as paddy and tapioca, as well as cash crops such as arecanut, coconut and pepper.

Based on its topography, Irimbiliyam Panchayat can be divided into four regions: highland, sloping land, low-lying plains and wetlands. Highland areas account for 28% of the total area, most of which consists of exposed laterite-rock terrain with little or no soil. A larger portion of the land falls under sloping terrain, where coconut is the predominant crop. Short-duration crops such as bitter gourd and ginger are also cultivated in a few areas. Clayey and muddy soils are commonly found in this region.

Social and Cultural History

In earlier times, the social system prevailing in this area was also based on the Jenmi–Kudiyan system of landlordism and tenancy. The legislation abolishing eviction and the Kerala Land Reforms Act brought about significant progress in the agricultural, social and cultural spheres of the region.

Many distinguished individuals from this area made courageous contributions to the national movement and the freedom struggle by providing both manpower and financial support. The region also gave considerable support to the farmers' movement and the teachers' movement that emerged alongside the freedom struggle.

There were many backward families in the area who suffered the bitter consequences of untouchability. The village also witnessed struggles for temple entry. At Kodumudi Temple, entry had been denied to people belonging to the Scheduled Castes for a long period while the temple continued to be treated as a private temple. It was only in 1968, as a result of a people's movement, that members of these communities were also permitted to enter the temple.

Since ancient times, this region had been relatively advanced in terms of literacy compared with the surrounding areas. Irrespective of differences of caste, social status or wealth, people here had knowledge of reading and writing from an early period. The traditional system of employing a house-based teacher, known as the Ezhuthachan system, existed in financially well-off households.

During the 1910s, Vanivilasam School was the only school in the area. The well-functioning Vijnanapradayini Library, along with various sports and arts associations, provided a foundation for the cultural advancement of the region.

This area had also been well known for medical treatment since ancient times. There is a Muslim family in the region that had practised medicine as both a profession and a service for centuries and was also home to several highly renowned scholars of Sanskrit.

As part of the national freedom struggle, the Malabar Rebellion of 1921 initially began as a peasant struggle against the landlord system. However, in some places, the movement took the form of communal violence and looting. When some families in this village were also subjected to such unfortunate incidents, prominent Muslims such as Peringatt Thodi Ahmedkutty Vaidyar, Kaliyath Beeran, Palliyal Aalu and Thekkinchari Moitheenkutty took responsibility for protecting those families.

When the British military's attacks associated with the Khilafat Movement were directed particularly against the Muslim community, people from the Hindu community, including individuals such as Govinda Marar, came forward to help their Muslim brothers. Such incidents from that period indicate that, even in adverse circumstances, people came forward irrespective of caste or religion to uphold the spirit of communal harmony.

By 31 December 1961, the Malabar District Board had ceased to exist. In 1962, Irimbiliyam Panchayat was formed by incorporating the Irimbiliyam and Valiyakunnu amshams, which had previously been part of the District Board.

Irimbiliyam is an agriculturally important panchayat, with the Thoothapuzha and Bharathapuzha rivers forming its eastern and southern boundaries. The major crops are paddy, coconut and arecanut. Vegetable cultivation and banana cultivation are also carried out at several places along the riverbanks.

Kanakkarkavu, one of the most important Harijan temples in Malabar, is located in this village. The rituals and worship at this temple are conducted by members of the Harijan community. The Kottikkuli festival held during the month of Kumbham and the Poora festival held during the month of Medam are the major celebrations at the temple.

The people of this region will always remember M. P. Velu, Damodaran Master Mankeri, Kodumudi Ramachandran Master and Marakkar Maulavi for their leadership in using theatre to bring awareness of agriculture, social change and progressive ideas to different parts of the village.

The Vela and Poora festivals at Kanakkarkavu, Kodumudikkavu and Parambathukavu temples, as well as the annual Nercha celebrations at Kottappuram, Kodumudi and Puramannur, are among the major festivals of the village.

Irimbiliyam has long been known as a cradle of volleyball. Vijnanapradayini Reading Room and Valiyakunnu Grameena Reading Room were among the earliest libraries in the area.