History of Grama Panchayat

'Vallam' means a swampy area surrounded by water, which resembles a river, and from this, the name Vallapuzha was derived. Today, these areas have been transformed into paddy cultivation fields.
Here is the complete English translation of the historical and geographical details of Vallapuzha:
 
History and Administration
The region of Vallapuzha, which was gifted by the Zamorin (Samoothiri) Raja to the Vadakkiniyedath Kirangatt Mana, was ruled by the Namboothiris who held titles (Sthanis) in the Vadakkiniyedath Grangatt Mana. The Zamorin Raja entrusted five main temples, 24 subordinate temples, and the landed properties to the Sthanis of Desamangalam Mana and the Vadakkiniyedath Namboothiripads. Notably, this Mana (ancestral home) is the maternal home of E.M.S. (E. M. S. Namboodiripad, the first Chief Minister of Kerala).
 
Educational Evolution
  • First School: The first school in this panchayat was the "Vallapuzha Board Boys School," which functioned up to the 5th standard at Panchayat Padi in Choorakkode. This very school operates today as the Government High School in Choorakkode.
  • Other Early Schools: Later, Kuruvattoor K.C.M.H.E. School, Krishna Vilasam L.P. School, and Bhaskara Vilasam L.P.S. were established.
  • First High School: The first high school in the panchayat, Vallapuzha High School, was established on June 21, 1950. Founded by K. V. Radhakrishnan Nair, this institution became a milestone in Vallapuzha's educational history.
 
Infrastructure & Public Services
  • Post Office: An "Anchal Office" (the traditional postal service) was established in the panchayat during the 19th century.
  • Railway: The railway station on the Nilambur–Shoranur railway line, which passes through the panchayat, was established before the Second World War.
 
Agriculture and Topography
Vallapuzha has been an agricultural region since ancient times. Although there are small hills and elevated areas scattered in the land situated between the mountains on the eastern and western borders of the panchayat, the major portion consisted of paddy fields. Two main streams and their tributaries serve as the primary water sources for paddy cultivation. Apart from rice, crops like coconut, areca nut, banana, cassava (tapioca), cashew, black pepper, rubber, ginger, turmeric, elephant foot yam, and various types of vegetables were also cultivated here.
 
Culture and Art Forms
  • Library: The oldest functioning library in the panchayat today is the Vivekananda Library, located near the Krishna Vilasam School.
  • Ritual Arts: In addition to ritual art forms like Poothan, Thira, Ayyappan Pattu, and Parichamuttukali, the Mekkattu Mana and Ullampuzha Mana in this region held the traditional rights to perform Sanghakali—a performance art that was prevalent exclusively among Brahmins. From Mekkattu Mana, Krishnan Namboothiri left his mark on all four stages (Padas) of Sanghakali, and Raman Namboothiri distinguished himself as the Velichappadu (oracle) in the performance.