Thalikulam
Block Panchayat

It is believed that the name Thalikulam originated from a pond ("kulam") dug by the Thaliyathiris, who were soldiers of the Zamorin (Samoothiri). In 1789, the army of Tipu Sultan passed through this region. Initially, the area was under the rule of the Zamorin. During Tipu Sultan’s military campaign in 1789, the routes he traveled and the roads prepared for the movement of his artillery later developed into the major roads of the region. These roads are still known as Tipu Sultan Roads. National Highway 66 passes through the Block Panchayat.
The only major industrial establishment in the block, Thrissur Cotton Mills, was established in 1963. However, it was closed down by the late 1990s. In 1932, Thozhuthumparambil Raghavan started the first public library in Thalikulam.
The cultural identity of the coastal region (Manappuram) is an accumulation of traditions, occupations, agricultural practices, religious customs, rituals, aesthetic concepts, moral values, art forms, and political struggles. The block area has a cultural history dating back to the period of Buddhist and Jain influence. It is believed that the place name Vadanappally itself has links to the Pali language.
Similarly, the cultural foundation of Engandiyur emerged from the farming and fishing communities that rose after the decline of the industrial culture that existed during the early seventeenth century.
Around A.D. 1500, Christian believers approached Blahayil Mooppil Nair, a prominent landlord and local leader of Valappad, requesting land to construct a church. He granted them land measuring one "Valavattapad" in circumference. Consequently, the area came to be known as Valappad.
The Dutch Fort at Chettuva still stands as a symbol of the historical struggles of this region.
The major religious communities in Thalikulam Block are Hindus, Muslims, and Christians. Although people of different faiths participate in temple festivals and church feasts, the organization and ownership of such events remain with the respective communities.
Major Hindu Temples
Triprayar Sree Rama Swamy Temple
Ayiramkanni Temple
Ezhanezhathu Bhagavathy Temple
Thiruvanchikulam Temple
Palappetty Bhagavathy Temple
Edamuttam Subrahmanya Temple
Arikkiri Bhagavathy Temple
The traditional art form Tholpavakoothu (shadow puppet theatre), which has become rare in Kerala, is still performed at the Palappetty Temple in Valappad Panchayat.
A unique feature of Vadanappally and Valappad is that temple festivals in certain temples are conducted separately for three different caste groups.
Major Muslim Places of Worship
Chettuva Mosque
Vadanappally North Juma Masjid
Vadanappally South Juma Masjid
Thalikulam Juma Masjid
Nattika Juma Masjid
The Christian population is comparatively smaller. St. Sebastian’s Church, Valappad, is one of the oldest Christian churches in the region.
Traditional folk art forms once widely practiced here include:
Darikan and Kali
Kalakali
Kurathikali
Aivarkali
Mukkanchathan
Makampattu
Pulluvan Pattu
Kalamezhuthu Pattu
Sarpam Pattu
Thiruvathirakali
Onakkali
Kolkali
Therupparakkal
Aravanamuttu
Historically, land ownership was concentrated in a few landlord families. The Land Reforms Act of 1970 transferred agricultural land ownership to cultivators.
Agriculture and Education
In earlier times, farmers gave equal importance to the cultivation of coconut, arecanut, cashew, vegetables, and paddy. However, over the last three decades, agriculture has become concentrated mainly on coconut and arecanut cultivation.
The overall progress of the people of Manappuram can largely be attributed to the steady growth of education. Until the late nineteenth century, educational needs were met only through a few informal learning centers, mainly accessible to upper-class communities. However, the efforts of socially conscious educational reformers helped sustain public interest in education.
In 1860, the first school in the region was established at Thalikulam under the Church of England. Founded by the Christian missionary Rev. Bower, the institution is now known as CMS U.P. School and marked the beginning of formal education in the area.
The large-scale migration to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) during the early twentieth century and the influence of the Sree Narayana Movement, which played a crucial role in social reform, made invaluable contributions to the educational development of the region.
Geographical and Administrative Profile
Thalikulam Block Panchayat is situated in Chavakkad Taluk of Thrissur District, Kerala. The block consists of the following Grama Panchayats:
Engandiyur
Vadanappally
Thalikulam
Nattika
Valappad
The block covers an area of 65.68 square kilometres.
Boundaries
North: Chettuva River
East: Canoli Canal
South: Edathiruthy Panchayat
West: Arabian Sea
Thalikulam N.E.S. Block was formed towards the end of 1957.
Historically, the region stretching from Chettuva to Edathiruthy in the former British Malabar relied mainly on the Canoli Canal for transportation. The construction of the Triprayar Bridge, Kandassamkadavu Bridge, and Chettuva Bridge contributed significantly to the area's rapid development.
For centuries, the Canoli Canal served as one of the most important inland waterways for trade and travel between Kochi and Ponnani.
Archaeological evidence, including marine shells and other remains unearthed during excavations, suggests that this region was once part of the sea and later emerged as land due to the retreat of the coastline.
National Highway 66 passes through the center of the block. Parallel to the highway lie the Eastern Tipu Sultan Road and the Western Tipu Sultan Road.
Physical Features and Soil
Being a coastal region, the block generally has a uniform topography. However:
Clay-rich fertile soil is found between the Canoli Canal and the Eastern Tipu Sultan Road.
Sandy soil and coastal sand deposits are found on both sides of National Highway 66.
The region generally does not experience severe water scarcity during summer.
Thalikulam Block Panchayat extends approximately 20 kilometres in length and 5 kilometres in average width, running from south to north.
The predominant soil type is coastal sandy soil with low clay content, resulting in:
Low water retention capacity
High acidity
High salinity