Nedumkunnam
Grama Panchayat

Nedumkunnam is a village in Kottayam district of Kerala. Spread across both sides of the Karukachal-Manimala road, sixteen kilometers east of Changanassery, the main source of livelihood of the people of this village is agriculture. The Pampady-Manthuruthy-Nedumkunnam road is the shortest route from Kottayam to Erumeli and the proposed 'Sabari' airport.

The geographical feature itself gives the name Nedumkunnam. Nedumkunnam is the land of hills. There are many hills here, including Parayankunnu, Oottuparakunnu, Manakkarakunnu, and Kollavarakunnu. The highest ones are Veeranmala and Mulamala or Illimala.

The history of Nedumkunnam dates back to BC. It begins in the third century. The famous Sangha text Manimekhalai mentions a Buddhist monastery at Nedumkunna in Changanassery. The carving of footprints on rocks was a characteristic feature of early Buddhist temples. The remains of such monasteries can be seen here.

Many people, including the Chathanattu (Panikkar) family, the Chemplani (Nair) family, some other Nair nobles, Namboothiris, Kazhagas, and those who served them, settled here in the early days. The Chemplani family, who came here with the royal obligation of Thekkumkur, were authoritative and high-ranking as royal servants and military leaders. The ancient land of the Chemplani family extended from Kadoorkavu in the northwest to Porumattara, Pekkavu, and Kumbikapuzha in the south and reached the foothills of Veeranmala. It is believed that people of various castes and religions migrated to Nedumkunna from different parts of Kerala in the first half of the 18th century.

Very little land in this heavily forested area was used for agriculture at that time. Therefore, the threat of wild animals was widespread. There were many workers to help the migrant farmers clear the forest and cultivate it. Rice was cultivated on a large scale on the hillsides. In other places, food crops such as banana, chena, sambal, and kachil were also grown. At that time, food crops were not grown for the next one or two years in the areas where the forest was cleared for cultivation. Instead, pepper, coconut, and kamuk were planted there. New areas were cleared and cultivation continued.

Although the area of ​​farmland and production increased, it took until the end of the nineteenth century for the infrastructure for trade to develop. The Changanassery-Peerumedu road and the Karukachal-Manimala road became fully navigable during the period 1864-1885. Although Kavunnada was a trading center, it was necessary to go to Changanassery to sell products in large quantities. The Changanassery market, which had been operating for decades, was officially inaugurated during the time of Veluthampi Dalava (1885).

In the early days, the only way to transport agricultural products to Changanassery was by carrying a load. The journey was made by walking along a single-track path through the forest, carrying a load. The wayside stalls and roadside stalls that provided water for thirsty travelers were a source of comfort. There was a wayside stall near the Nedumkunnath Kovelipalam bridge until a few decades ago. There, travelers can drink the milk stored in the kalthoni until their thirst is quenched. There were also load sheds for travelers to rest and unload their loads at places like Kavvanda, Manikulam Peedikaparamba, and Karukachal Kavala.

Ancients have said that agricultural produce was brought to Changanassery from the eastern regions in bullock carts as early as the early 18th century. The number of bullock carts was limited at that time. But fifty to sixty bullock carts, including those from places like Karikattur, Manimala, Kadayinikad, Kangazha, and Nedumanni, used to go to Changanassery together.

A bus first ran on the Changanassery-Manimala road about 67 years ago. It is said that the first bus that ran on coal was called Plantation. Petrol and diesel powered vehicles soon became popular.

During the reign of Maharaja Visakha Thirunal (1810 - 1815), tapioca, which reached Kerala, did not take long to take over the lion's share of the farmlands in the Nedukunnam area. Perhaps because paddy production was very low and rice had to be purchased, tapioca was the main food item here. In those days, when there were no butcher shops or cold storage, it was customary for a few households to come together on a cooperative basis once a week, especially on Sundays, to slaughter a purchased animal and share it.

The cultivation of tapioca, the harvesting of tapioca, and the drying of tapioca were festivals for the landowners and workers. The vast Kappa Kala (land where Kappa is grown) has almost disappeared from Nedumkunna. Three decades ago, rubber cultivation was universal here.