Edapal

Edapal
എടപ്പാള്‍
city
Edapal

Location in Kerala, India

Coordinates: 10°43′56″N 76°01′39″E / 10.7321°N 76.0274°ECoordinates: 10°43′56″N 76°01′39″E / 10.7321°N 76.0274°E
Country  India
State Kerala
District Malappuram
Languages
 • Official Malayalam, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 679 576
Telephone code 0494
Vehicle registration kL 54

Edappal is a town in Malappuram district, Kerala state, India. Edapal is at a junction of two roads Thrissur-Kuttippuram and Palakkad-Ponnani state highways located 45 km from Malappuram. Edapal lies in two panchayaths (local body), Vattamkulam and Edappal. Edappal shares borders with Thuyyam, Polpakkara, Ayilakkadu, Vattamkulam, and Annakampadu.

Edappal is well known in the region for foreign goods and related markets. Like some other main towns of Malappuram and Kozhikode, The economy is mostly a money-order economy with the main source of money from expatriates in the Middle East.

History

Edapal got its name from the word "Edappalayam," meaning intermediate place, because Edapal was the intermediate resting place for the army of Zamorins on their journeys to conquer South Kerala.

The first notable public institution in Edapal was the Government High School (now higher secondary school). The school was established in 1957 when the first Communist ministry of EMS Namboodiripad had quickly sanctioned 65 high schools in the then educationally backward Malabar region. Though the high school was sanctioned, there was no sufficient fund or infrastructure in order to start the high school. Hence the Namboothiris of Naarayanathu Mana graciously donated the land where the high school now stands. Many of the citizens of Edapal, notably Mathilakathu Unnikrishna Menon, ICS (Retd), Unikkat E U Gopi Menon and others made donations of money and materials very generously, and also selfless voluntary works for construction of the first building.

The high school had a good band of proficient and efficient teachers at the outset. Head Master was Sri M. T. Govindan Nair, who is the elder brother of famous Gnanapeeth Award winner Sri M T Vasudevan Nair. The other great teacher of the high school was SMT. M Gauribhai Menon, daughter of Mathilakathu Unnikrishna Menon. One more unforgettable teacher was Sri Mezhathur Shekhara Warrier, Malayalam Pandit.

The first SSLC batch of 22 boys and 14 girls from the high school appeared in March 1960. Many of the students have become teachers and other office staff. Some had joined the army and air force. Among those who reached the higher peak in their positions are (1) E U Gopinatha Menon, Vijaya Bank Manager, (2) P M Narayanan Namboodiri, State Bank Manager, (3) Pappancheri Narayanan (IRS-Retd), Assistant Commissioner of Income-tax Mumbai, Dr. K. V. Rajan (SSLC -1966) who retired as Chief general Manager of Reserve BAnk of India, Mumbai, etc.

With much efforts of People like M/s SMB Pisharody/Pallipad (Pl add)An Engilish Medium Division from 8th Std. was sanctioned in 1963 However, to day considering the plight towards English Medium it will be unbelievable it has to be surrendered for want of students with 1968 SSLC Batch

Edapal got the present prominence only after the National Highway was inaugurated. Before the Highway started, it was then called the Edapal Angadi which has lost its prominence after the Highway came.

The political leaders of earlier Edapal were Mr. Prabhakarn, Sri E U Gopi Menon, Karimbil Moideen Abdul Kader, Abdu, MP and so on. The first Panchayat president was the late Kaampurath Neelakandhan Namboodiri. A prominent member of the Panchayat from Edapal Angaadi was late Mr. Kuttiali.

Today Edapal is connected by road to all important points in and outside the state. There are swanky buses available for journeys to Bangalore, Trivandrum, etc., The transport facility was given an important face lift when the late Sri Imbichi Bawa became transport minister. He was the person who set up the KSRTC Workshop at Edapal (Kandanakam). This workshop was instrumental in expanding the transport network through Edapal.

Places Of Interest

Edapal is also known for the Biyyam Kayal Boat Race. Biyyam Kayal is a green fringed waterway situated near Ponnani in Malappuram District. A boat race held in its extensive stretch of water during Onam draws a large number of people from far and near. Women rowers also participate in the race. Now developed into a tourist center, the lake has a water sports facility set up by the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC).


Notables

References