Vythiri
Grama Panchayat

Vythiri Grama Panchayat

Vythiri Grama Panchayat is located in Vythiri Taluk of Wayanad District and comes under Kalpetta Block, covering the revenue village areas of Kunnathidavaka and Chundale. The Panchayat has an area of 47.84 square kilometres and comprises 14 wards. It is bounded by Kalpetta Municipality to the north, Pozhuthana Grama Panchayat to the west, Kozhikode District to the south, and Meppadi Grama Panchayat to the east. Situated at an elevation of approximately 2,500 feet above sea level, Vythiri is nestled amidst the Western Ghats, with steep mountains on three sides and relatively lower hills towards the east. Lakkidi, situated at an elevation of about 700 metres above sea level, is regarded as the gateway to Wayanad and is reached after crossing nine hairpin bends from Adivaram in Kozhikode District. The 47.84-square-kilometre area of Vythiri is characterised by the continuous hill ranges of the Western Ghats, dense forests, wetlands, barren lands and rocky terrain. The natural freshwater lake at Pookode, surrounded by evergreen forests and hills, is one of the major natural attractions of Vythiri. Modern tourism facilities such as boating, a children's park and a freshwater aquarium have further enhanced its appeal. The viewpoint along the mountain pass at an elevation of about 2,500 feet is another important tourist attraction, while the historic Chain Tree at Lakkidi continues to attract visitors. The arrival of workers from different parts of the country to work in coffee and tea plantations gradually transformed the social and economic character of Vythiri and Wayanad. According to local tradition, the name Vythiri is associated with the idea of a turning point or crossroads, as the region historically served as an important meeting point on routes connecting Kozhikode with Mysuru and Ooty.

History

Migration into the ancient Vythiri region from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Malabar and Travancore appears to have begun during the closing decades of the eighteenth century and continued until the middle decades of the nineteenth century. By the mid-nineteenth century, Vythiri had begun to develop a cosmopolitan character. The surviving memories and accounts of elderly residents, Sir William Logan's Malabar Manual and a few historical monuments have contributed to the reconstruction of Vythiri's history. The Thamarassery mountain pass was originally developed for military purposes during the campaigns of Tipu Sultan. When Hyder Ali captured Coorg in 1773 and travelled towards Kozhikode, he used this route. The same strategically important route was later selected by Arthur Wellesley, the commander of the Company forces, during the campaigns against Pazhassi Raja. Following the death of Pazhassi Raja in an encounter with the British on 30 November 1805, the Wayanad region came under the control of the English East India Company. The Company subsequently turned its attention towards the search for gold in the Wayanad region. Gold mining activities were carried out in areas such as Charity, Arunagiri and Pookode in Vythiri. When gold mining proved to be commercially unviable, large-scale coffee and tea plantations were established in the region.

Social History

The early inhabitants of Vythiri town are believed to have been members of the Yadava community who migrated from Andhra Pradesh, initially settling in Kannur and later reaching Vythiri through different migration routes. Settling mainly around the central part of present-day Vythiri town, their descendants continue to have an important influence on the social and cultural life of the region. During the early nineteenth century, migrants arrived from different parts of Malabar, including Kolichal, Thalassery and surrounding areas, as well as from plantation estates and different parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. Further migration from Travancore during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, along with the settlement of people who acquired private land and found employment in plantations, contributed significantly to the formation of the present population of Vythiri. Plantation workers, who constitute a substantial proportion of the population of Vythiri Grama Panchayat, have played a major role in shaping its social and cultural history. In the early plantation period, several families often lived together in a single workers' room under extremely difficult conditions. Workers were subjected to strict control, and protests gradually emerged against the exploitative system in which labourers' wages were collected and distributed by supervisors under the Kankani system. In 1937, Mr. J. Egwin Esquire, the manager of Chundale Estate, introduced a system of paying wages directly to workers, eliminating intermediaries. The wages of male and female workers, which were around 14 annas and 12 annas respectively in 1948, had increased to approximately ₹52 by 1996, along with other benefits. One of the significant events that contributed to this transformation was the historic 19-day hunger strike led by K. Kumaran in 1956. Historical records indicate that C. Rajagopalachari, who was the Chief Minister of Madras at the time, eventually gave assurances following pressure from Minister Kuttikrishna Nair, leading to the withdrawal of the hunger strike. This development is considered to have contributed to the foundation of the later Madras Agreement.

The influence of the national movement also reached Vythiri. In 1937, the Panchayat administration decided to install a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi in the Panchayat office. The administration also recorded its appreciation when the Criminal Amendment Act was suspended to facilitate the release of State Congress prisoners on the birthday of the Travancore Maharaja. Records also mention the reception given to Mahatma Gandhi at Lakkidi on 14 January 1934. In the field of education, a Board School existed in Vythiri during the early period, followed later by the establishment of Chundale R.C. School. In transportation, the mountain route used for Tipu Sultan's military movements in 1773 gradually developed into primitive roads during the British period. By around 1936, these roads had become mud roads, and the Panchayat administration reportedly sprinkled water twice a day to control dust. Bullock carts were widely used during that period, and there was a cart stand at Old Vythiri and a local market at Vythiri. Two prominent companies operating bus routes between Kozhikode and the Wayanad region, C.W.M.S.(M) and C.D.A. Limited, had their respective headquarters at Chundale and Old Vythiri. In the early period, bus services operated on three major routes—Kozhikode–Mysuru, Kozhikode–Ooty and Kozhikode–Mananthavady. Early buses were reportedly operated using coal. Although Vythiri once served as a taluk headquarters and even had a Munsiff Court, several government offices later shifted to the nearby town of Kalpetta.

Tourism

Vythiri, which was once covered by dense forests, has long been rich in forest and wildlife resources and possesses considerable potential for tourism. Its scenic natural beauty, pleasant climate, rolling hills reminiscent of the Darjeeling landscape, extensive tea plantations and distant dark-green mountain ranges of the Western Ghats make it an attractive destination. Lakkidi, often described as the Chirapunji of Kerala, is particularly famous for its mist-covered landscape. The mist that frequently descends upon the region adds to the unique charm of Lakkidi. Located about three kilometres from Vythiri town, Pookode Lake is a natural freshwater lake surrounded by evergreen forests and hills. The lake offers boating facilities, a children's park, handicraft shops and a freshwater aquarium displaying different varieties of fish. About 75 years ago, the area was reportedly part of Pookode Estate under British ownership. A British bungalow and swimming pools were situated near the present lake. An ancient cemetery still exists on the eastern side of the lake. Although detailed information about it is not available due to the passage of time, a gravestone bears the inscription referring to Walter, dated 24 August 1878, and Surfield Lodge, England. These features add historical significance to Pookode Lake.

The Chain Tree at Lakkidi continues to welcome visitors entering Wayanad with its legends and mystery. According to local belief, a spirit once troubled travellers and vehicles passing through the Lakkidi region. One legend states that a British engineer killed an Adivasi man who had guided him through the mountain route, and that the spirit of the deceased later haunted the area. It is further believed that a divine person who encountered the spirit bound it to a tree using a creeper. The Chain Tree, associated with this legend, has become one of the attractions of Lakkidi and continues to draw a large number of tourists.

Historical Background

Although they constitute a minority of the present population, communities such as the Paniyas, Kattunaikkans and Kurumas, who have inhabited Wayanad since the Neolithic period and contributed to the development of its rich cultural heritage, continue to live in Vythiri. Historical accounts describe the division of Wayanad between the rulers of Kottayam and Kurumbanad after the defeat of the Vedda Raja. As a consequence of these conflicts, different tribal communities emerged in the region. Those who sought refuge in the remote forests and mountains came to be known as Kattunaikkans, while those who were captured during conflicts and later came under the control of Nair landlords came to be identified as Kurumas. The term Paniya is believed to have originated from a word meaning a person who performs work. Historically regarded as bonded labourers, Paniyas were often transferred along with plantations. In earlier times, each tribal group had a headman known as Kuttan, appointed by the landowner, while the head of a family was known as Muthali. Kuttan and Muthali were collectively regarded as elders. A priest known as Chemm was also traditionally appointed, and the position of Chemm was hereditary. Monogamy was generally practised, and widow remarriage was permitted.

The Kattunaikkans, traditionally associated with forest regions, lived by collecting forest resources. They were also known as honey Kurumas because of their practice of collecting honey. The Kurumas are among the indigenous communities of Wayanad, and some of them are agricultural labourers. Traditionally, they lived in well-maintained houses with doors and windows. A tribal settlement known as a Kudi consisted of approximately ten to twelve houses and usually included a place of worship known as Daivapura. Community issues were discussed collectively at such places. Several Kudies were traditionally under the authority of a tribal head known as the Kunnumooppan, while the head of an individual Kudi was known as the Porunnavan. Burial was the customary practice following death, and a mourning period of eleven days was observed. Kolkali is one of the traditional art forms associated with the Kuruma community.

Cultural History

Approximately 50 percent of the land area consists of hilly terrain where tea and cardamom are cultivated. Around 30 percent consists of hill slopes where coconut, coffee, arecanut and pepper are cultivated. About 12 percent of the relatively level areas are used for paddy cultivation and for crops such as banana, ginger and tapioca. Approximately 8 percent of the area is covered by dense forest. Wayanad District was formed on 1 November 1980. Before its formation, the areas that now constitute Wayanad District, including Bathery Taluk and South Wayanad Taluk, were part of Kozhikode District. During the British period, British officials travelled by the vehicles of that time up to Adivaram and made several attempts to reach the mountainous areas of Wayanad. The indigenous communities had traditionally used footpaths to travel down to Adivaram to purchase commodities such as tobacco and dried fish. The British later followed these traditional routes and gradually developed them for horse-drawn carriages and subsequently for motor vehicles, eventually reaching Lakkidi, the gateway to Wayanad. At Lakkidi, plans were developed to improve transportation between Adivaram and the Wayanad plateau, and the British administration subsequently constructed roads and bridges to facilitate travel into Wayanad. Later, roads connecting Kozhikode through Vythiri to Gudalur and another route through Vythiri to Mysuru were developed, partly in response to the movement of people from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Kozhikode–Vythiri–Kalpetta–Mananthavady road was established later. These three major routes now connect different regions and states. The cultural identity of Vythiri has been shaped by the contributions of indigenous communities, Tamil workers who arrived in search of employment, the early settlers from Andhra Pradesh who traditionally depended on cattle rearing, and other communities who migrated from Travancore, Malabar and various parts of Kerala. The region also has a history of cultural and spiritual interaction among different communities. An Englishman attracted by Kerala's culture is said to have adopted the name Swami Acharyananda and lived as a resident of the Narayana Gurukula established at Pookode in 1962 by Nataraja Guru, a disciple of Sree Narayana Guru. Vythiri is notable for the peaceful coexistence of Hindu, Christian and Muslim communities. Numerous places of worship belonging to different faiths exist in the region, and their festivals are celebrated in a spirit of communal harmony and religious brotherhood.