വേങ്ങര
ഗ്രാമ പഞ്ചായത്ത്

Social History

The grassroots population of this region emerged through the bitter experiences of princely rule, British tyranny, and the absolute dominance of feudal landlords. Until the mid-20th century, the upper castes did not allow commoners to wear decent clothes or footwear, and women were even prohibited from covering their chests. Furthermore, backward classes were treated inhumanely; gruel (kanji) was served to them by upper-caste elites in leaves placed in pits dug in the soil in their backyards.

Land ownership was defined by systems such as Jenmam and Kanam, and a system of tenant farming (Paattam) was also prevalent. Since ancient times, rearing livestock and poultry has been a primary source of income across all areas of Vengara Panchayat. In the hilly northern regions, cattle rearing was once the mainstay of the economy.

Long ago, during the era of the Malabar District Board, the Vengara market was known as "Mundiyamthadam." The fish and meat market, which was then under the Market Board, came under the jurisdiction of the Vengara Panchayat after the formation of Kerala state.

Vengara began focusing on education as early as the 1920s. Religious study centers (Palli Dars) provided commendable service. In centers equivalent to traditional schools (Kudipallikkoodam), known as Othupallis run by Mollakkas, basic Malayalam reading and writing were taught alongside the Quran. Initially, only children from elite families came forward for this.

The region contributed significantly to the national independence movement. Vengara holds a great heritage of evaluating all national shifts through the lens of social well-being. Many individuals from this area suffered long imprisonments for participating in the freedom struggle or for being members of the I.N.A. The Malappuram-Parappanangadi road was constructed by the British during the 1921 Malabar Rebellion. The landscape is a diverse mix of hills, mountains, and paddy fields. Before 1945, the only road in Vengara was the stretch from Kuriad to Gandhidhas Padi. Chakkeeri Ahmed Kutty Sahib was the first President of the Panchayat. Road development truly began after the formation of an 11-member Panchayat Board. Electricity first reached Vengara village in the 1950s. Today, Vengara is one of the largest Panchayats in the Malappuram district.

Cultural History

The Thalappoli festival at Ammanchari Bhagavathi Temple and the Madappalli Jarram Nercha are the two major religious festivals in this Panchayat. Chakkeeri Moytheenkutty Sahib, a resident of Cherur in Vengara, was the creator of the "Badar Khissa" songs, which were highly popular in Malayalam literature during the early decades of the 20th century.

The renowned religious scholar, thinker, and author C.N. Ahmed Moulavi also hailed from this region. It is said that his English books were used as textbooks in some foreign schools; he received various awards from both Central and State governments. In 1957, the Kerala Government sanctioned a High School to improve the educational standards of the Panchayat. As part of a cultural tradition, "Home Libraries" had been functioning in several households since early times.

The region once had a rich tradition of folk art forms and sports, including:

• Art Forms: Poothamkettu, Chendakottu, Udukku, Thudi, Thottampattu, Njattupattu, Chavittukali, Kolkali, Parichamuttukali, Kaikottippattu, Oppana, painting, and Khissa songs.

• Sports/Games: Pakidakali, Padakali, Kaarakali, and Kabaddi.

Notable figures who brought glory to this land include Mappila poets like Chakkeeri Moytheenkutty Sahib and C.P. Mohammed Sahib, as well as C.N. Ahmed Moulavi, percussionist Ravunni, poet and cultural activist C.M. Theyyunni, and K.P. Sankaran Master. T.K. Mohammed Sahib and Paleri Ali, who received the Thamra Patra (bronze plaque of honor) for their role in the independence struggle, were the village's gifts to the nation.

The cultural landscape of the Panchayat was further enriched by literary figures such as Sukumarkakkad (recipient of the Mammen Mappila Novel Award), V.P. Valiyoora, P.A.B. Atchanambalam, S. Moytheenkutty Master, Hyder Kuttoor, Vadakkan Jabbar, and Balan Vengara.