Maruthonkara
Grama panchayat

This area has witnessed some historical events related to the Pazhassi Raja. Kuttiadi is a region famous for its Kera trees. Maruthongara Panchayat is located in the eastern part of the northernmost part of Kozhikode district, adjacent to Wayanad district. In ancient times, the main source of livelihood of the people here was agriculture and allied occupations. Paddy cultivation was important among the crops. The forests in the eastern areas were cleared and paddy and muthari cultivation were practiced. In the western areas of the panchayat, cash crops such as coconut, kavung and pepper were the main crops. There were many paddy fields harvested in Maruthongara, Kacherithazha, Karankottuthazha, Valliltazha, Mannur, Neetikotta, Vattomvayal etc. There were many kavung plantations in the riverside areas. Kuttiadi is a region famous for its Kera trees. The first settlers to this vast area, where forest land was once readily available at low prices, came from Kanjirapally in Changanassery taluk of Kottayam district, as well as from Meenachil and Thodupuzha. 

The migration to these areas began during the period 1927-30. Before the Christian migration, Hindus from Kakkattu, Nadapuram and Mokeri had arrived here to re-cultivate the hilly areas. At the same time, Muslim traders had also arrived here to trade in timber. Timber was transported from here to the Kallai river by boat. Before the Christian migration to Maruthongkara panchayat, this area was sparsely populated with some temples. The remains of the Maruthongkara temple and the Kothode temple are evidence of this. During the migration days full of sacrifices and hardships, farmers like Purayadhil Thomas and Pullatt Joseph from Poovaran, Vadakkedath Kuriakose and Pongampara Varkey from Vazhoor, crossed the Cherupuzha in Kuttiyadi with a firm resolve and the determination to face any adversity. They, who can be described as the migrant fathers of Maruthongara, arrived here in October 1931. At that time, Harijans who had arrived from Naduvannur and Payyoli areas also worked in the farms here. Along with coconut farming, the migrant farmers cultivated rubber, pepper, kavung, and crops like kappa, yam, and yam as intercrops. At that time, since there were no local markets for rubber products here, they were taken to Aluva and sold. Pepper farming was the main source of livelihood for the farmers. Paddy cultivation was common even in the hilly areas at that time. Many leaders associated with the national movement and the farmers' movement had reached the Maruthongara area. They demanded the removal of certain provisions of the Agricultural Bill passed by the Madras Legislative Assembly.To help the agitation carried out by all sections of farmers, Vishnu Bharathiyan came to the Maruthongkara school ground and gave a speech. Prominent national leaders C.K. Govindan Nair and K. Kelappan had come to the Kothode area as part of the anti-union campaign. The arrival of farmer leaders C.H. Kanaran and Keluvettan to help the farmers in the agitation to cut and seize agricultural land in Pasukadavu was an event that stirred great enthusiasm among the farmers. The struggle waged by farmers and agricultural workers to seize surplus land in Thottakkad is a burning chapter in the history of the struggle of the panchayat. There are many poor families in the Maruthongkara panchayat who benefited from the grant of tenancy rights by the government in 1957. The name Maruthongkara is derived from the expression Maruthumkara, which refers to an area with an abundance of the tree Marut. In the place known as Mullankunnu, there were many hedgehogs in a forest with thorns, which later became Mullankunnu. Since the present-day Naduthode is located at an angle, the place known as Konthode eventually became Kothode. The name Williampara was based on the ghost story of the elephant Willy and his children. What was once called Thendi Mukkay later became Center Mukkay. Initially, there was only one footpath from Kuttiadi to Mullankunnu. People used to reach it on foot via Kotomkunnu via Mannurpara. In 1943, a road was first constructed in Maruthongkara Panchayat with public participation. This road ran from Paleri Mukkay via Ottakandam and along the border of the Fourth Kandam to the Maruthongkara Cemetery. The construction of this road was led by the vicar of the Christian church here. Father Everistus led the organized efforts of the locals to make the road from Kuttiadi to Mullankunnu passable until 1953. The Maruthonkara church has also made a significant contribution to the cultural and social progress of the Maruthonkara panchayat. At present, roads are the only means of transportation in this panchayat. In the traditional cottage industry, toddy tapping is carried out, and in a nominal way, baskets, baskets, chairs, etc. are made using reeds and canes in tribal colonies. Coconut, which is cultivated in the largest area in this panchayat and is excellent in production and quality, is the most important raw material in the industry. Another important sector of employment is granite quarries.It was an event that stirred great excitement among the farmers. The struggle waged by farmers and agricultural workers to seize the surplus land in Thottakkad is a vivid chapter in the history of the struggle of the panchayat. There are many poor families in Maruthongkara panchayat who benefited from the grant of tenancy rights by the government in 1957. The name Maruthongkara is derived from the expression Marutumkara, an area with an abundance of the tree Marut. In the place known as Mullankunnu, a type of forest with thorns, there were many hedgehogs, which later became Mullankunnu. Since the present Naduthode lies at an angle, the place known as Konthode eventually became Kothode. The name Williampara was based on the ghost story of the elephant Willy and his children. What was once called Thendi Mukkay later became Center Mukkay. Initially, there was only one footpath from Kuttiadi to Mullankunnu. People used to reach the village on foot via Mannurpara via Kotomkunnu. In 1943, a road was first constructed in Maruthongkara Panchayat with public participation. This road ran from Paleri Mukkul via Ottakandam and along the border of the 4th Kandam to the Maruthongkara cemetery. The construction of this road was led by the vicar of the Christian church here. Until 1953, Father Everistus led the organized efforts of the locals to make the footpath from Kuttiadi to Mullankunnu passable. The Maruthongkara church has also made a significant contribution to the cultural and social progress of Maruthongkara Panchayat. At present, roads are the only means of transport in this panchayat. Toddy harvesting is carried out in the traditional cottage industry, and on a nominal basis, baskets, pots, chairs, etc. are made in the tribal colonies using reeds and canes. Coconut, which is cultivated in the largest area in this panchayat and is excellent in production and quality, is the most important raw material for the industry. Another important employment sector is granite quarries.It was an event that stirred great excitement among the farmers. The struggle waged by farmers and agricultural workers to seize the surplus land in Thottakkad is a vivid chapter in the history of the struggle of the panchayat. There are many poor families in Maruthongkara panchayat who benefited from the grant of tenancy rights by the government in 1957. The name Maruthongkara is derived from the expression Marutumkara, an area with an abundance of the tree Marut. In the place known as Mullankunnu, a type of forest with thorns, there were many hedgehogs, which later became Mullankunnu. Since the present Naduthode lies at an angle, the place known as Konthode eventually became Kothode. The name Williampara was based on the ghost story of the elephant Willy and his children. What was once called Thendi Mukkay later became Center Mukkay. Initially, there was only one footpath from Kuttiadi to Mullankunnu. People used to reach the village on foot via Mannurpara via Kotomkunnu. In 1943, a road was first constructed in Maruthongkara Panchayat with public participation. This road ran from Paleri Mukkul via Ottakandam and along the border of the 4th Kandam to the Maruthongkara cemetery. The construction of this road was led by the vicar of the Christian church here. Until 1953, Father Everistus led the organized efforts of the locals to make the footpath from Kuttiadi to Mullankunnu passable. The Maruthongkara church has also made a significant contribution to the cultural and social progress of Maruthongkara Panchayat. At present, roads are the only means of transport in this panchayat. Toddy harvesting is carried out in the traditional cottage industry, and on a nominal basis, baskets, pots, chairs, etc. are made in the tribal colonies using reeds and canes. Coconut, which is cultivated in the largest area in this panchayat and is excellent in production and quality, is the most important raw material for the industry. Another important employment sector is granite quarries.Initially, there was only one footpath from Kuttiadi to Mullankunnu. People used to reach the village on foot via Mannurpara via Kotomkunnu. In 1943, a road was first constructed in Maruthongkara Panchayat with public participation. This road ran from Paleri Mukkul via Ottakandam and along the border of the fourth kandam to the Maruthongkara cemetery. The construction of this road was led by the vicar of the Christian church here. Until 1953, Father Everistus led the organized efforts of the locals to make the footpath from Kuttiadi to Mullankunnu passable. Maruthongkara Church has also made a significant contribution to the cultural and social progress of Maruthongkara Panchayat. At present, roads are the only means of transportation in this panchayat. Toddy tapping is a traditional cottage industry and, on a nominal basis, the making of baskets, pots, chairs, etc. using reeds and canes is also done in tribal colonies. Coconut, which is cultivated in the largest area in this panchayat and is excellent in terms of production and quality, is the most important raw material in the industry. Another important sector of employment is granite quarries.Initially, there was only one footpath from Kuttiadi to Mullankunnu. People used to reach the village on foot via Mannurpara via Kotomkunnu. In 1943, a road was first constructed in Maruthongkara Panchayat with public participation. This road ran from Paleri Mukkul via Ottakandam and along the border of the fourth kandam to the Maruthongkara cemetery. The construction of this road was led by the vicar of the Christian church here. Until 1953, Father Everistus led the organized efforts of the locals to make the footpath from Kuttiadi to Mullankunnu passable. Maruthongkara Church has also made a significant contribution to the cultural and social progress of Maruthongkara Panchayat. At present, roads are the only means of transportation in this panchayat. Toddy tapping is a traditional cottage industry and, on a nominal basis, the making of baskets, pots, chairs, etc. using reeds and canes is also done in tribal colonies. Coconut, which is cultivated in the largest area in this panchayat and is excellent in terms of production and quality, is the most important raw material in the industry. Another important sector of employment is granite quarries.

Educational History
The first educational institution in Maruthongkara Panchayat was Kudipallikkoodam, established by Rama Kurup Gurikkal in the Kacherithazha field in 1926. This institution, which functioned in the Kallat region for seven years, was established in 1933 at the present location under the name Ikkattu L.P. School. In 1934, Ikkattu M.L.P. School was established. These two educational institutions provided primary education to the people living near the Kuttiadi river in the 1930s. Christian priests played a leading role in providing educational facilities in areas like Maruthongkara, Mullankunnu, Vannathichira and Pasukadavu, which had become agricultural land due to the efforts of migrant farmers. A primary school was established in Maruthongkara in 1937. Peedikekalachchan relocated the school in 1944 on the land donated by Joseph Iyyalil in Mullankunnil and Mathai in Kizhakhe. With the enthusiasm of Fr. Joseph Kizhakhebhaga, the said school was upgraded to a Higher Elementary School in 1951. It was Father Everistus who made efforts to upgrade this institution to a High School in 1957.

Cultural History
In the historical background of Maruthonkara Panchayat, various religious communities such as Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities lived in the three centers of the panchayat. In the nearby and Kallad areas, there were Muslim Hindu communities and in the hilly areas, there was a Christian community. Among the Muslim community, there are rituals such as Moilud, Ratib etc. The Moilud, which was performed at the house of Poolaka Moideen Haji until 1960, was famous. Muslim traditional arts such as Dafmutt Kali, Mappilakali and Oppana also exist. In the Christian community, the crucifixion related to religion is performed with the participation of people of different castes and religions on Christmas, Easter and Palliperunnal. Another important festival that strengthens religious harmony is the festival of worshipping the mountain god held in Nellikunnu Colony. The Kutilpara Cholanaikkars are a tribal community in the panchayat that was once reluctant to join the mainstream of human civilization. They used to wander in groups through the forests in search of food. These people, who still maintain their primitive customs, used to sing rhythmically with the group while collecting forest resources. Volleyball is one area in which the panchayat has been able to achieve a proud achievement in the field of sports.