A significant change in the social system of Kerala happened in the late 19th century. Messages of Sree Narayana Guru, whose emergence as one of the greatest ideological leaders of Kerala reached Cherai too and was propagated further by the philanthropist Sahodaran Ayyappan, a native of Cherai. Majority of Cherai natives were from the lower castes and Ayyappan, coming from Ezhava community, a lower caste, helped create a mass movement. On 29 May 1917, Sahodaran Ayyappan organised "Misrabhojanam", an event in which people from all castes of Hindu community sat together and participated in a feast. This event caught the attention of Kerala and was staged at many other places as a renaissance movement.Sahodaran Ayyappan could proudly be presented as the greatest gem donated by Cherai to Kerala's political and social revolution. He founded the "Sahodara Sangham", which helped spread the message of Sree Narayana Guru and SNDP all over Kerala. Along with this organisation, a ladies' wing called "Sthree Samajam" also used to function, at a time when Keralites had not even thought about an organisation for women!
In 1926, much before the Trade Union Act came into force, Sahodaran Ayyappan organised a union called "Aadi Vypin Thozhilaali Sangham" (Vypin Workers' Primary Union), which is one of the first trade unions in Kerala. A paper called "Velakkaran" (Worker) was also published thrice a week by this Union. During the annual meetings, national leaders like E.V.Ramaswami Naykar (Periyor), founder of Dravida Munnetta Kazhakam had attended.
No doubt, people from Cherai proudly identify themselves anywhere in the world as coming from the birthplace of Sahodaran Ayyappan!
After India's Independence and formation of the Kerala State by merger of the three princely states Travancore, Cochin and Malabar, Pallipuram Panchayat was formed. Originally, it was a Group Panchayat consisting of Kuzhupilly and Pallipuram (consisting of Cherai area). Munambam was part of Vadakkekkara Panchayat. On 19 December 1963, Pallipuram Panchayat was reconstituted by separating Kuzhupilly into an independent Panchayat and merging Munambam.
In 1926, much before the Trade Union Act came into force, Sahodaran Ayyappan organised a union called "Aadi Vypin Thozhilaali Sangham" (Vypin Workers' Primary Union), which is one of the first trade unions in Kerala. A paper called "Velakkaran" (Worker) was also published thrice a week by this Union. During the annual meetings, national leaders like E.V.Ramaswami Naykar (Periyor), founder of Dravida Munnetta Kazhakam had attended.
No doubt, people from Cherai proudly identify themselves anywhere in the world as coming from the birthplace of Sahodaran Ayyappan!
After India's Independence and formation of the Kerala State by merger of the three princely states Travancore, Cochin and Malabar, Pallipuram Panchayat was formed. Originally, it was a Group Panchayat consisting of Kuzhupilly and Pallipuram (consisting of Cherai area). Munambam was part of Vadakkekkara Panchayat. On 19 December 1963, Pallipuram Panchayat was reconstituted by separating Kuzhupilly into an independent Panchayat and merging Munambam.
No comments:
Post a Comment