Kallara
Grama Panchayat

History of Kallara Grama Panchayat

Kallara Panchayat is a hilly region in the Thiruvananthapuram district, bordering the Kadakkal Panchayat of Kollam district to the north. It is characterised by hills, valleys, and small rivers.

Early Boundaries: Initially, the Panchayat's borders were:

North: Kadakkal Panchayat (Kollam district)

West: Vamanapuram and Pulimath Panchayats

South: Vamanapuram and Pullampara Panchayats

East-South: Vamanapuram River

East: Nandiyode Panchayat

The current Pangode Panchayat area was entirely separated from Kallara Panchayat during a later division.

Ancient Past: It is surmised that the region has been inhabited for about 800 years, possibly during the reign of the Venad ruler Udaya Marthanda Varma (1175-95) or his successors. Connecting the area (Kalluvarampil Kotta) to the time of Marthanda Varma still suggests an antiquity of around 300 years. It is clear that the initial settlement began in the southern and eastern regions of the Panchayat, specifically in Kallara, Mithirmala, and Muthuvila.

Forest Land: The area remained a forest until the local tribal communities and those who migrated from other regions cleared the land for cultivation. The region was home to abundant wild animals like tigers, bears, leopards, pigs, and elephants. Place names like Kaduvaakkuzhikal (Tiger Pits), Karadichaanumoola (Bear-claws Corner), Pulipaara (Leopard Rock), and Aanakulam (Elephant Pond) attest to this past.

Archaeological Evidence: Clay pots, metal tools, and handicrafts found buried during road construction and foundation digging in Mithirmala and surrounding areas point to an ancient culture. Other historical remnants include:

Artifacts found in the stream near the Mithirmala Temple.

Massive monolithic bridges.

Giant oil-pressing mills.

Sculptures in old temples.

Kalluvarampil Kotta (Fort).

Old land transfer deeds (Settlement Register).

History of the Place Name (Sthalanaama Charithram)

There are several theories regarding the origin of the name Kallara:

Natural Caves: One theory suggests the name came from the abundance of rocks with natural cave-like formations (Ara) or stone chambers (Kallu) in the area. A rock with such a natural cave exists today on the hill east of Kallara Junction. Kallil Ara (Cave in the Rock) gradually became Kallara.

Kalladasseri Origin: Another story links the name to a grandmother who came from Kalladasseri in the north and settled near the present-day Maadan Nada after her husband passed away. The family line of Kallara began with her. Her deity (stone) became the first idol at Maadan Nada. It is believed that the name Kalladasseri transformed into Kallarasseri (with the 't' changing to 'r') and the 'sseri' was eventually dropped, resulting in Kallara.

Geographical Feature: A third argument is based on the local geography. Since Kallara and the surrounding areas had an earth crust covered with round stones (Kalkallukal), people named the area Kalthara (Stone Surface). This then evolved into Kalluthara and eventually became Kallara for ease of pronunciation.

The Kallara Struggle (Kallara Samaram)

The Panchayat has two main public markets: Kallara Market and Maruthammoodu Market. The Kallara Market was established in the early decades of the last century. These markets are crucial factors influencing the economy of this primarily agricultural region, serving as centres for selling farm produce rather than just buying goods.

The Market's Role: The market was not just an economic centre; it was also a venue that shaped the community's cultural, social, and political life, offering people a chance to meet, talk, and socialise.

Genesis of the Struggle: The initial sparks for the Kallara-Pangode Struggle (which took place in the year 1114 ME or 1939 CE) were formed right in this market. A meeting scheduled to be held at the market escalated into a mass protest that eventually led to the attack on the police station.

During the rule of the Diwan under the monarchy, Tahsildars were responsible for collecting market tax (Chanthakaram) and auctioning the collection rights.

The nexus of the police, local thugs, and the contractor meant the contractor could commit any atrocity, which ultimately led to the protest. The unfair collection of taxes (gate fees and road tolls) and the misbehaviour towards women by the contractor's men were resisted by the local Congress workers.

A major public meeting planned by the State Congress on Kanni 14th (September/October) was preceded by arguments between the contractor and the locals on Kanni 8th, which led to the decision to hold the massive gathering.

The Aftermath: These underlying tensions grew into the Kallara agitation. Reserve Police and thugs brutally suppressed the locals. People were killed in the firing. The brave resistance of the khadi-clad freedom fighters and the locals against the police terror is a golden chapter in the history of the freedom struggle.

Kallara (Summary)

Kallara Panchayat is a hilly area in the north of Thiruvananthapuram district, featuring hills, valleys, and small rivers, bordering Kadakkal Panchayat of Kollam district. It is a genuine hilly village, with elevations ranging from 900 to 1000 metres above sea level. The highest peak in the Panchayat is "Koduthookkiyakunnu."

It is inferred that human habitation existed here for around 800 years (starting with Udaya Marthanda Varma or his successors). The initial settlements were in the southern and eastern parts (Kallara, Mithirmala, Muthuvila), which was dense forest until the local tribal people and migrants cleared it for cultivation. The region was teeming with wildlife like tigers, bears, leopards, pigs, and elephants, as indicated by place names.

The name Kallara is believed to be derived from the abundance of rocks with natural cave-like formations (Ara) or stone chambers (Kallu).

The Kallara Market was more than just a centre for selling agricultural products; it was a public forum for social gathering and communication, a place where local information was gathered. This is why Kallara became known as the birthplace of the 1114 ME revolution, a silver lining in local history.

Libraries operating in various parts of the Panchayat contribute to the cultural growth of the village.