| Elavumthitta Elavinthitta |
|
| — village — | |
|
|
|
| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | Kerala |
| District(s) | Pathanamthitta |
| Nearest city | Thiruvanathapuram |
| Parliamentary constituency | Pathanamthitta |
| Civic agency | Mezhuveli Panchayath |
| Population | 32,399 (2001[update]) |
| Literacy | 94.7% |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area |
• 46 metres (151 ft) |
Elavumthitta (Malayalam: ml:ഇലവുംതിട്ട) (also Elavanthitta) is a small village in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. The majority of its inhabitants are from Hindu and Christian backgrounds. The primary crops are rubber, coconut, black pepper and plantain. The terrain is hilly with plenty of paddy fields in between. It is the commercial capital of Mezhuveli panchayath.
Major townships around Elavumthitta
|
Contents |
The average height of Elavumthitta is 150 feet (46 m) above mean sea level. The low lying water shed paddy fields around Elavumthitta is 100 feet (30 m) above mean sea level. There is a peak called Namakuzhy, 387 feet (118 m) above mean sea level 2 km. North of Elavumthitta. This peak can be considered as the highest spot in the area. There is a legend about this peak. The pandavas in exile visited this place and stayed here for a short while. There were giant size foot marks imprinted on rocks scattered above the hill believed to be of Bhima the mighty bare hand warrior of Mahabharat epic. And also there was a pit on the rock with perennial source of water; signs reinforcing the local beliefs.
Elavumthitta is the catchment area of two major rivers, the Sacred Pampa and Achankovil. The abundant rainfall in the region supplements these two rivers for keeping the river not drying in summer season, and in return the two rivers keep this region abundant in ground water and save Elavumthitta from droughts.Almost every house got open wells for their water requirement. People of Elavumthitta never experienced a drought or flood in their life. Pamba river is in the north, 8 km away and Elavumthitta is in a much higher elevation; hence there is no flood in this region. The same thing is with Achankovil river, which is 5 km away in the western side of Elavumthitta. Elavumthitta was abundant in Streams and lush green paddy fields. There was a time; one could stand on a higher spot and enjoy the sight of endless coconut tree tops spreading its leaves and swaying in gentle breeze, a very pleasant sight indeed.
Elavumthitta does not have its own rain gauge, but the area is in the close proximity of Pathanamthitta which is 11 km. away and has a Rain gauge. The average annual rainfall of pathanamthitta can be taken as the rain fall for Elavumthitta also; which comes to 2922 mm (The figure is of the year 2004 based on Statistics department , Pathanamthitta. )
'Elavumthitta Market clebrated its centenary year in 2009. In the year of 1909 Mooloor S Padmanabha Panicker Who was a member of 'Sreemoolam Prajasabha' had established the Elavumthitta market in the 2 acres (8,100 m2) of land near the Elavumthitta Junction. He named the market as "Sreemoolam Rajagopalavilasam".
The name of Elavumthitta is synonymous with Mooloor S padmanabha Panicker. For People out side Elavumthitta, Mooloor was only a great poet of his time. He was more than that, fought with the so called elite groups of writers of his time, who thought that they were the sole custodian of literature. Initially they even mocked at his literary works and questioned his right to do such exercise, openly quoting the cast he belonged. That was enough to raise the sleeping lion –the literary genius in mooloor. Armed with his mighty pen and charged with the divine blessings of Sree Narayana Guru, he fought alone- it can be compared only with the legendary Abhimau the warrior of mahabharat who was trapped and slain by the veteran warriors. Here it was different, though he was cornered and attacked by the conservative veterans of letters, Mooloor could come out of every fight victorious, and in the end his rivalries made peace with him. The poetic mind could, not only write beautiful poems of his time; being a visionary, he saw that Elavumthitta is lagging behind in every social need of that time. Be it in education, or in infrastructures, like roads or in marketing facilities for the agricultural produce- the place was famous for- needed immediate attention. His proximity with the rulers of Travancore made the tough task one by one in to reality.
In 1914 he was nominated to 'Sreemulam Prajasabha' by the Maharaja of Travancore. Fourteen years he was in that position and made dramatic changes in the society. His plea in the assembly for social justice to everyone in the society irrespective one's cast and creed was heard throughout Kerala. When there was taboo for members belonging certain casts walking on public road or entering temples, mooloor made schools to educate them, made temples for them to worship, and made public roads for every one's use.
He was the main architect for shaping the Elavumthitta market. Most of the important roads in Kozhechery Taluk were made under his leadership. He founded more than 20 educational institutions in Elavumthitta and other parts of Kerala.
He expired in 1931 at the age of 62 leaving behind a great void, difficult to fill by another one. In 1989 Govt. of Kerala built a memorial at the place he lived in his last days, barely 3 km away from the Elavumthitta market junction. The memorial and its serene surrounding remind one, what a great soul was lived there once.
The place is a pilgrim centre for many literary luminaries . In every year on the vijayadasmiday hundreds of parents bring their children to get initiated in to the world of letters here. Locally the ritual is called 'Ezhuthiniruth'.
The objective of the memorial is to familiarize the present generation with the rich social as well as literary contribution of the poet and keep his memory alive. Few years ago in an interview for the police department, one board member asked an aspiring candidate --
It is sad that our young man had to admit his ignorance. The young man should know that a man named Mooloor S Padmanabha Panicker was instrumental in making Elavumthitta with the facilities he enjoys now. Let our youngsters grow with the memories of the great people like Mooloor.
The most important annual festival for the people of Elavumthitta is the Celebration of Aswathy in the Malayalam month of meenam. No doubt Onam is the biggest festival of every Keralite, but this Asawathy celebration is exclusively for the People of Elavum thitta. Every child in Elavumthitta will be waiting for this occasion; the tips he gets now and then- let the sum may be a meager one- is kept as his secret treasure; reserved for this great day. He has to buy many items. The seasonal crops of cashew is of great help; cashew picked up from here and there is sold and the amount may be a pittance in today's standard, but the thrill of spending it in the aswathy fair is something one will remember till his death.
There is a worshiping place in the corner of market; the place is called Malanada. The deity of Malanada is the god of hills. The annual celebration is to appease the Malanada deity. The colorful and important item of the celebration is the pageantry display. Images of oxen of more than life size and multicolored are made and displayed in single or in pairs mounted on wooden platforms and drawn along the road by hundreds of over enthusiastic rural population is a sight to be seen to believe its electrifying effect on the crowd lined on both sides of the road. The loud and reverberating sound of the percussion musical instruments drowns the shouting of the crowds. The setting sun plays its myriad colors on the scenario; everyone in the crowd pushing forward a little to have a good look. A child perching on the shoulder of his father is weeping over his ruptured balloon. These are all familiar sight one can see in the middle of any rural festival.
In another place typical wares of such occasions are spread on the floor of makeshift sheds and are in great demand. Young girls are making bargaining over colorful glass bangles. Children are pestering their parents for the multicolored balloons. Then some are lucky they got toy bugles; impatient to put it on test children started blowing it and experimenting it in various combinations of tunes to the annoyance of elders. Nobody noticed it; the sun is disappeared and the darkness crept in. Traders brought out their giant kerosene lamps and lit. The orange colored flames of the kerosene lamps leaping upward as if trying to lick the festive atmosphere; making surreal shades of people jostling around. People coming from distant places are in a hurry to go back. Children are reluctant to comply with the elders and ignoring their protests they, being physically dragged out of the fair, weeps all the way back home. The rural alleys otherwise lonely and dark on normal days are, today with crowds of people with burning torches made out of dry coconut leaves; either going to the fair or making the home ward journey. Battery operated flash light torches were very rare and then and only few fashionable people were having it. Night long variety folk arts culminating into fireworks are the attraction of the fair. Fireworks were the major attraction; to witness this many sleep in the fair ground and at the sound of the first cracker they get up.
Next day the less fortunate who were confined in their home gets up in the early morning, hearing the news of someone is stabbed and hospitalized or somebody is seriously beaten. Following weeks will be busy for the rural populations in debating over and over on these topics. Rural festivals were not only the venue for exhibiting rural arts; it was also a venue for settling the yearlong pending issues of bitter feud among different groups.
Elavumthitta market popularly known as Elavumthitta Chandha celebrated its 100th year in September 2009. There is an important landmark in the middle of Elavumthitta- a huge banyan tree. How old the tree is, nobody knows, eight hundred years or more that is anybody's guess. Some say it is more than that. One thing is certain, that it gave shelter to generations of weary travelers, it witnessed the political changes of Kerala, listening fiery speeches of politicians who make makeshift stage on its platform now and then; unaffected by either political speeches or religious sermons; stand there majestically giving shelter to birds in to its long branches with thick green foliage and feeding its seasonal fruits to the needy birds.
The market was very famous for the cattle trading.Traders from faraway places like Thiruvananthapuram used to come here for either selling or buying cattle. The ninth day of every Malayalam month was the market day exclusively for cattle trading. People from faraway places come to the market, a day or two in advance to secure a vantage spot to exhibit their cattle. In those days Space in the market was very little, roads were very narrow, owners of vacant land adjoining the market allowed the traders to occupy the land free or by paying a small fee. Some smart local guys drive stakes for tying the cattle and rent it for money. Suddenly the tea shops otherwise dull throughout the month will wake up and keep open their shop day and night. Some shop keepers hire petromax for this special night business. The whole place will become noisy with the loud shouting and bargaining of agents and middle men, the pitiful frightened crying of animals especially the mournful Call of lambs. It was difficult to pass along the narrow road in the market day, swash! You will be jumping in fright; you got a whip of a cow with its tail plastered with dung and urine. The whole area is covered with dung and urine of cattle. The stink will be lingering in the air till the next market day. Now the cattle market is held twice in a month, 9th and 22nd of every Malayalam month. There is similar cattle market now in many places and the importance of the Elavumthitta cattle market is not like the earlier days.
Every Wednesday and Saturday is market day for people of Elavumthitta. In olden days the economy of Elavumthitta was closely related with agriculture produce. There was no rubber plantation then. People cultivated mainly paddy in wet land; dry land was used for growing Coconut palm, cashew trees, Tapioca , Pepper, gram, horse gram, green gram, red gram, filler millet, pineapple, mango, Plantain, bitter gourd, snake gourd, ash pumpkin, Pumpkin, lady's finger, chilies, drumstick, yam . The foot hills had plenty of water shed fertile land; anything sown gave a rich return. Poor man's staple food was Tapioca and sea fish. The weekly market was not only for selling and buying, it was a meeting ground and a venue for the local people to exchange pleasantries. Market day was a reference point for the local people in their conversation. Schedule of important assignments were changed or shifted or postponed taking the market day in to account. Market was also a venue for the young to develop familiarity with opposite sex and that in course of time develops in to intimacy and then culminated in marriage.
Fish and tapioca was the staple food for the common man. Fish market had an important place in the market... Fish venders bring fish from faraway places of coastal areas. The fish was brought in huge basket on by cycles in its carrier and sure enough it required dexterity and stamina peddling miles and miles on rough roads. Market will have its full sitting around 11AM and continue till late afternoon. Market day was appreciated by taking in to account the rate of fish available on that day. People on the way to the market ask persons returning from the market -
"How is the fish today"?
Weighing of fish was not heard in those days. Sardines fish was very popular. Sometimes sardines were so cheap, one can have even fifty sardines for 4 Annas, equivalent of today's 25 paisa. Coconut Palms were plenty in Elavumthitta. Some family's annual income was solely on coconuts. Plucking coconuts 3 to 4 times in a year and selling to the merchants not only was a common practice in those days, it was a necessity. It is said that in those days almost one million coconuts were traded in a market day. Three to four truck loads of coconut husk-a raw material for making coir- used to be sent to other parts of Kerala where coir trading was active. Presently rubber is the main cash crop. Anyone with little land will have few rubber trees; three to four rubber Sheets will be enough to meet his immediate cash requirements for the market day.
Seasonal crops like cashew and pepper had ready market. Merchants sitting in a row with hand balance with cloth bags for weighing merchandise were a common site in those days. Clay pots were displayed in the market. Bamboo made baskets, large size mats for drying paddy, ladle made out of coconut shells, why you name a thing it will be available in the weekly market. Yes indeed it was an open market, every item was kept in the open ground
Manja kilikal...Elavumthitta is proud of them!
With the blessings of Sree Narayana Guru, five young bloods of Elavumthitta started the 'Sivagiri Theertdhadanam' in the year 1932.
Those 5 'Manjakkilikal' were:
The team was led by Sri.P.K.Divakara Panicker. This was a historical journey that lead to the famous Sivagiri pilgrimage conducted every year. Now thousands of devotees are following their path. The pilgrimage has become an occasion of unity & peace.
The story behind Sivagiri Pilgrimage
1928 January 16 – the decision to start 'Sivagiri Theerdthadanam' was approved by Sri Narayana Guru on this auspicious day. On that day Guru was in Kottayam Nagampadam Siva Temple, on his way to Vaikom. In the evening Guru was taking rest in his arm chair under the cool shadow of the big mango tree in the temple premises. A small crowd of his devotees & disciples stood beside him. By the time a small group under the leadership of Vallabhasserry Govinda Vaidiyer and T K Kittan Writter came to Guru with a request.
They requested Guru's permission to start an annual pilgrimage to Varkala – the place which Guru had chosen as the centre of his spiritual activities. They wanted Varkala to be the Holy place for the Ezhavas in Kerala. At that time 'Ayitham' (social discrimination) prevented Ezahvas from entering most of the temples. They wanted to change the scenario by fighting. They pointed out the need to preserve the self esteem of Ezahvas.
"When Varkala Janardhana temple is there, what is the relevance of another place of worship?" Guru responded with another question. They pointed the need for a temple for the downtrodden in the society. Without bending their knees before the 'savarnas' the Ezhavas should preserve their esteem & pride. If Guru is ready to give permission, this attempt will definitely be the stepping stone for a great pilgrimage.
Finally, it was decided to start the first pilgrimage from the village of Elavumthitta. The S N D P unit No.76 of Elavumthitta selected 5 youngsters for the pilgrimage, namely, P.K.Divakara Panicker, P.K.Kesavan, P.V.Raghavan, M.K.Raghavan, S.Sankunni. All the 5 pilgrims wore bright yellow dress, as suggested by Sree narayana Guru. All the way to Sivagiri, they were reciting 'Swaathanthrya gadha' – written by the great poet Kumaranaasan. They were teased with the words 'Manjakkilikal' –meaning yellow birds. They never got provoked, with a smile they moved on. The dominant thought in their mind was the mission to fulfil, will have to reach Sivagiri, a great responsibility bestowed on their shoulders by the Sreenarayana devotees. Their mission was a great success. Today thousands are following the way they have shown. Sivagiri continues to be thronged by thousands of devotees, donned in yellow attire, from different parts of Kerala and outside every year during the Sivagiri Pilgrimage days - 30 December to 1 January. Today 'Sivagiri Theerddhadanam' has become an occasion of unity & peace.
Mooloor S. Padmanābha Panicker (Sarasa kavi Mooloor) was one of the great poets and a prominent social reform activist from Travancore. He was born at Panayannaarkavu, close to the town of Mannar in Central Travancore in 1869 (Malayalam year Kumbhom 27, 1044 ). He named his residence in Elavumthitta as 'Kerala Varma Soudham' as a mark of respect towards Kerala Varma Valiyakoyi Thampuran who was his close friend.
Mooloor Smarakom In the year 1989 the State Government proclaimed 'Kerala Varma Soudham' (residence of Mooloor) as 'Sarasa Kavi Mooloor Smarakam'. Now this monument is preserved by the State Department of Culture. The objective of the Mooloor Smarakam is to familiarise the present generation with the rich social as well as literary contributions of the poet and to keep his memory alive.
Ezhuthiniruthu Mooloor Smarakam is now famous for "Ezhuthiniruthu" (The occasion on which children are initiated into the world of letters). On the day of Vijayadasami children are initiated into the world of letters at Mooloor Smarakam. Prominent personalities will be present on this auspicious day.
People of Elavumthitta had no entertainment in earlier days other than the "ASWATHI MAHOLSVAM" celebrated once in a year. Cinema halls were – you go in any direction- 10 to 20 km away. Convenient bus service to reach the cinema hall in time for the show or to come back from the show were not available then. Still some tough adventurists used to trek all the way to pathanamthitta, pandalam, kozhencherry, or Chengannur where ever the popular pictures were shown, and stealthily come back avoiding getting caught by the elders, in the early hours of the night after watching the movie. Surely the adventurism if found invited the ire of elders and scornful look of neighbors. Those were the days everyone had a right to admonish the young, be it a neighbor or a stranger, the action gets ready approval of the parents.
The impact of KPAC drama, successfully spreading revolutionary ideas among common people for social changes, were closely watched by educated and progressive minded youths of Elavumthitta. At the stroke of 5 o'clock in the evening of January 26, 1957 Republic Day, when rest of the country was celebrating the occasion; Elavumthitta celebrated it in a unique way – They formed a club and named it as AZAD ARTS AND SPORTS CLUB, glorifying to the world the name of the freedom fighter Maulana Abulkalam Azad. The name was suggested by Sri. C. Chandra Dattan. MA. There was a meeting held in SNDP hall of Nediyakala, barely one and a half km away from Elavumthitta market. Besides Mr. Chandra Dattan, members present in the meeting were; Mr.V.R Gopinathan Nair, Mr. C. A Gangadharan, T. K. Sadanandan, P. K. Gangadharan, A. D. Kuttappanachari and Mr. Satyapalan. It was decided that the club will be based in Elavumthitta and the aim and objective of the club will have to promote arts and sports in Elavumthitta. Mr. C. Chandra Dattan as president, Mr. V. R. Gopinathan Nair Secretary, and Mr. A. D. Kutappanachari as Vice president the club started its activities.
The popularity of the club was such that every one in Elavumthitta became the member of the club. Many famous and performing artists of Kerala of those days joined with our Azad Club artists and staged several shows. Sri.Ayroor Sadasivan and Kottayam Joy were a few to name. Under the leader ship of Azad Club, classes for teaching classical music, tabala, and harmoniam were conducted. Azad club had its own gifted members like Mooloor Bala chandran, V.R Gopinathan Nair, salim Kambisseril etc. to take the fame of Azad club Throughout Kerala. Now It might be surprising to many that Azad had its own troupe of ballet. Azad's professional drama troupe staged their drama in several parts of Kerala; why even the remote area like Kumali was not spared. Every month a new drama was the motto of Azad club members. Azad was also very active in the area of Radio Drama. Almost 15 nos. of radio drama were Performed by the Azad artists. Mr.V.R Gopinathan Nair and Mr. Salim Kamisseril were the drama writers and performing artists. Besides them Mr.P.K Sahadevan, E.N Gangadharan, E.R Rajan, C.A Gangadharan and P.N Ramachandran were the permanent performing artists of Azad club.
Dancer C.R Das, U .N Sreedharan Kutty, Peter, Johnson, Joy, and Makeup man Mr. Mathai were the integral part of Azad Club. The club had its own Curtain set, Artist Kesavan was the designer of it. Mr. K Madhavan and Kambisseril Sankaran Vaidyan etc. Were the prominent Patrons of Azad Club. The club has its office room in its own three roomed building situated in Elavumthitta, very close, a stone throw away distance from our legendary Banyan tree. Many of those stalwarts who made this club are no more with us but the club building stands in solitary isolation as a testimony to a glorious past.
Elavumthitta is flanked by the area of 4 panchayats. Following data is from the book 'Panchayat level Statistics 2006' published by Department of Economics & Statistics Thiruvananthapuram.
| Panchayat | Households | Population | Literacy rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mezhuveli | 3734 | 15223 | 95.62 |
| Chenneerkkara | 4834 | 19538 | 94.27 |
| Kulanada | 6051 | 24493 | 93.58 |
| Elanthoor | 3809 | 15425 | 95.33 |
Elavumthitta is spread in four Panchayats namely Mezhuveli, Chenneerkkara, Kulanada and Elanthoor. The total households in Elavumthitta is 7,988 and population is 32,399. The literacy of Elavumthitta area is 94.70%.
Dairy farming is common here.