Poothakulam
Grama Panchayat

Freedom Struggle History

The working-class population of this region suffered firsthand under the terror of British imperial rule and the oppressive Diwan administration. The struggle for independence and responsible governance greatly inspired the local laborers. State Congress leaders S. Madhavan Pillai, V. Vasu Pillai, and R. Achuthan spearheaded protest meetings and demonstrations against the tyrannical rule of Diwan C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer.

However, some groups organized meetings in support of the Diwan. When freedom fighters stormed one such pro-Diwan gathering held in Kalakkode, they were brutally assaulted by the Diwan's supporters. A subsequent protest meeting organized in Kalakkode against this violence was attacked by the Diwan's "Five-Rupee Police," resulting in numerous injuries. Many State Congress activists were imprisoned, yet their ongoing struggles for responsible governance remained a heroic chapter in the local history.

Educational History

Formal education in the region began in 1875 during the late 19th century. The first school—a Government School at Ayyaralinmoodu—was established through the efforts of Panayara Sanku Pillai, a palace official (Kottaram Karyasthan). Originally a Malayalam-medium school, it was upgraded to a High School in 1951. Due to rising student enrollment and space constraints, the associated lower primary (LP) sections were split into two separate institutions located to the north and south of the high school.

• 1940: A night school began operating in Chempakassery, later converting into a Harijan Welfare School. When this institution relocated to Kottarakkara, a new LP school under the management of R. Achuthan was sanctioned and established in 1951.

• 1959–1960: An Upper Primary (UP) school was added to this management, followed by the establishment of a High School in 1966.

• 1964: Devaraja Vilasam LP School was founded in Puthenkulam under the management of Dr. Devarajan.

• Kalakkode Primary School: Established roughly 75 years ago, this primary school was later taken over by the government and upgraded to a UP school with financial aid from non-resident Malayalis.

Cultural History

Poothakkulam possesses a rich cultural heritage and has birthed numerous cultural luminaries, libraries, and arts clubs.

• Early Clubs & Publications: In 1949, the Vivekodayam Arts Club was established at Oonninmoodu, running a reading room and publishing a handwritten magazine titled Keralodayam. During the same era, the SBNV Arts and Sports Club and Keralodayam Kala Kendram made significant contributions to the local arts scene.

• Libraries: Prominent long-standing cultural institutions include the Sankarapillai Memorial Library, Gandhi Memorial Reading Room, and Aikyakerala Library. The Poothakkulam Service Co-operative Bank also supports an active Fine Arts Society.

• Kathakali & Dance: Poothakkulam was home to famed Kathakali actors such as Kokkadan Narayana Pillai and Thettikkulam Paramu Pillai. Renowned dancer Guru Gopinath was a disciple of Kokkadan Narayana Pillai. Other celebrated Kathakali artists associated with the region include Neelamana Illam Krishnan Namboothiri, Sankaran Namboothiri, and Chempakassery Puthenveettil Gopala Pillai.

Places of Worship