ഒതുക്കുങ്ങൽ
ഗ്രാമ പഞ്ചായത്ത്

Social history

Before independence, Mattathur and Puthur, which are the present-day Othukkungal Grama Panchayat, were two parts of Eranad that were under the direct rule of the British Crown. Most of the land in both parts was owned by the British.

The landlord families of Channazhi Illam, Karipott Mana, Kottakkal Kovilakam, Namboothiri Kovilakam, Kuttippuram and Panicker in the Ponmala region were the landlords, as were the landlords of Kottakkal Kovilakam, Zamouthiri Kovilakam, Cherukunnu Devaswom in the Puthur region, and Pullanikkad Mana in the Chengottoor region.

. The Mattathur Valiya Juma Masjid is estimated to be approximately 500 years old. It is believed that the land where the mosque stands was donated by Paaranambi, the local traditional ruler (Naaduvazhi) of Malappuram. Notably, the same ruler also donated the land for the temple of the Scheduled Caste community in Kunnath.

The Legend of Communal Harmony

There is a popular local folklore associated with this gesture. Initially, the land where the mosque currently stands was designated for the temple, and the land where the temple stands was allocated for the mosque. Around that time, a member of Paaranambi’s family fell severely ill, and a traditional Muslim physician (Vaidyar) from the Madathil family in Mattathur successfully cured the illness. When the grateful Nambi asked what reward he desired, the physician requested land by the riverbank to construct the mosque. Consequently, it was mutually agreed to exchange the plots originally allocated for the temple and the mosque.

Anti-Colonial Resistance and Tyranny

The Muslim community of Mattathur and Puthur amsams (administrative units)—which were part of Othukkungal under the direct, mismanaged rule of the British Empire—waged an uncompromising struggle against foreign dominance and tyranny. To suppress their rebellion, the British crushed the region by implementing draconian laws such as the "Mappila Outrages Act." The physical remains of a police outpost established during that era in the then-remote village of Mattathur still stand today as a testament to that oppression.

An Era of Mutual Trust

Around 1920-21, a group named "Daulath Sabha" operated in the Kaippatta region. When their activities deteriorated into aggressive land encroachments and violence, several Mappila (Muslim) farmers entrusted the legal rights of their lands to Kuttippuram Panicker for safety. Out of mutual trust and communal harmony, Panicker collected a nominal land tax (Janmi) of just one bunch of coconuts per year. This transaction stands as a profound example of the deep solidarity that existed between the communities.

The Heroism of Illikkottil Alavi

Mattathur and Puthur actively participated in the national movement and bore severe hardships. During the 1921 Uprising, a group of local youths was arrested under the orders of the British Sub-Collector (Thukidi Sayipp) of Malappuram to be produced before the court. In the dead of night, an 18-year-old youth named Illikkottil Alavi staged a daring escape by snatching a guard's rifle and two pouches of ammunition. This act was a severe blow to British authority, prompting the British army to unleash brutal torture, violence, and arson across these regions.

To keep the flame of the national movement alive, the prominent leader Mohammed Abdul Rahiman Sahib used to visit the area frequently. Manjakkandan Avaru Master, Vazhayil Umminikkadavath (Kuzhingara) Moytheen, and Kuruniyan Bapputti were his trusted followers.

Educational Milestones

• Mattathur North A.M.L.P. School: A single-teacher girls' school initially operated at Munambath in Mattathur. After it ceased operations by 1919, its students were merged with those of another school in Mattathur Angadi to establish the Mattathur North A.M.L.P. School at Thekkummuri in 1920.
• Othukkungal High School: The long-cherished dream of a high school in Othukkungal was realized in 1968. This high school, along with several other key institutions, is located on land donated generously by a philanthropist named Kuruniyan Muhammad Haji.
• Makhdumabad Tahiyya Ussunna Arabic College: This renowned Arabic college has been functioning successfully in Othukkungal since 1961.

Agriculture and Infrastructure

Othukkungal Panchayat is predominantly an agricultural zone, with most households relying on farming and allied occupations. The major paddy fields (Padams) in this panchayat include:

• Mattathur Chalipadam
• Alayipadam
• Cherukunnu Padam
• Puthur Padam
• Aattiri Padam
• Atthikkode Padam

Note: Eranipadam, which was a thriving paddy field until 1980, has now been converted into a commercial plantation.

Shift in Cultivation Practices

The primary crops of the region are paddy, coconut, areca nut, betel leaf, ginger, and turmeric. Currently, there is a visible trend of converting traditional paddy fields into plantations for cash crops like coconut and areca nut.

In earlier days, indigenous rice varieties such as Vellari, Aryan, Thekkan Cheera, and Koottumundakan were widely cultivated. However, following the severe food crisis of the 1960s, the introduction of high-yielding varieties and chemical fertilizers forced farmers to become increasingly dependent on chemical pesticides.

Evolution of Transport

Around 1946, the Tirur-Manjeri Road was the sole transportation route passing through the panchayat. It was only after 1955 that the first dedicated local road—the Othukkungal-Mattathur Road—was developed.

In the early 1950s, the Chief Minister of Madras, Kamaraj Nadar, visited Othukkungal. It was in response to a petition submitted to him during this historic visit that the region, including Kotumala (which is currently under Oorakam Panchayat), was officially incorporated to form the Mattathur Panchayat.