Kuttanad

2021-08-28T11:27:32Z

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{{Distinguish|text=Kuttanadu, a province of the [[Chera dynasty|Chera Kingdom]] containing the whole of present-day [[Eranakulam]], [[Alappuzha]] and [[Kottayam]] districts and parts of Pathanamthitta and Kollam district}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Kuttanad
| native_name = Kuttanadan
| native_name_lang = ml
| other_name = Kuttanad
| nickname = ''Lowest Region of India'', ''Lowest Region of the [[Indian Subcontinent]]''
| settlement_type = Taluk
| image_skyline = Kerala Kuttanad1.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = [[Kettuvallam]]s line up in the Kuttanad region
| pushpin_map = India Kerala#India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Kerala, India
| coordinates = {{coord|9|25|30|N|76|27|50|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kerala]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]], [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]], [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric, sub matric
| area_footnotes = ratisnet
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = -2.7
| population_total =
| population_as_of =
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], English
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 688-
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 0477
| registration_plate = KL 66
| blank1_name_sec1 = Nearest city
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Alappuzha]], [[Kottayam]]
| footnotes =
| official_name = GIAHS Kuttanad
}}
[[File:Kerala Water Transport DS.jpg|thumb|top|Public Transport Boat service in Kuttanadu]]

'''Kuttanad''' ({{lang-ml|കുട്ടനാട്‌}}) is a region covering the Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta Districts, in the state of [[Kerala]], India, well known for its vast paddy fields and geographical peculiarities. The region has the lowest altitude in India, and is one of the few places in the world where farming is carried on around {{convert|4|to|10|ft|m|order=flip}} below sea level.Kilimanjaro in Africa is the another place <ref>{{Cite news|title=Kerala Boat Ferries Lone Passenger To Help Her Take Exam|url=https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/coronavirus-lockdown4-kerala-government-boat-ferries-lone-passenger-sandra-babu-to-help-her-take-exam-2238752|last=Press Trust of India|date=1 June 2020|access-date=17 November 2020|work=NDTV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2003/07/13/stories/2003071300600200.htm|title=Thirst below sea level|last=Suchitra|first=M|date=2003-08-13|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2020-11-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922101804/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sundaymagazine/thirst-below-sea-level/article28523147.ece |archive-date=2019-09-22}}</ref> Kuttanadu is historically important in the ancient history of South India and is the major rice producer in the state. Farmers of Kuttanad are famous for Biosaline Farming. [[Food and Agriculture Organization]] (FAO) has declared the Kuttanad Farming System as a [[Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems|Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System]] (GIAHS).

Four of Kerala's major rivers, the [[Pamba River|Pamba]], [[Meenachil River|Meenachil]], [[Achankovil]] and [[Manimala]] flow into the region. It is well known for its boat race in the Punnamada Backwaters, known in Malayalam as [[Vallamkalli]]. Manu Johny

== History ==
This land had been the source of food to Changanacherry market. Later it had been allocated to Allapuzha district on the basis of landscape.
The first recorded history on the origin of this land is obtained from [[Sangam period]] literature. Additionally the oral history among local people, transferred from generation to generation is a blend of myths and legends is a valuable resource. According to Sangam era documents, '''Uthiyan Cheralatan''' ('''Perum Chorru Udiyan Cheralathan''', '''Athan I''' or '''Udiyanjeral''') is the first recorded [[Chera|Chera dynasty]] ruler of the [[Sangam period]] in ancient [[South India]].{{sfn|Singh|2008|p=384}}<ref name="sen2">{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-9-38060-734-4 |pages=60–61}}</ref> He had his capital at a place called Kuzhumur in Kuttanad (central [[Kerala]]) and expanded the kingdom northward and eastward from his original homeland. His lifetime is broadly determined to be between first century BC and 2nd century AD. His queen was Veliyan Nallini, the daughter of Veliyan Venman. [[Uthiyan Cheralathan]] was a contemporary of the Chola ruler [[Karikala Chola]]. He is praised for his elephant corps and cavalry. Present day Changanacherry end of Kuttanad was the capital of the [[Chera]] dynasty king [[Uthiyan Cheralathan]]. His descendant was [[Senguttavan]] (Chenguttavan means "brave-hearted" in [[Old Tamil language|old Tamil]] and his name is carried by the next towns of [[Chenganacherri]] and Chengana to the present day). According to sangam literature, Cheralathan was defeated in the [[Battle of Venni]] with [[Karikala Chola]] and the capital was burnt down. Another local legend says Kuttanad was believed to be forest with dense tree growth. This forest was destroyed subsequently by a

It is a well known fact that burned black wooden logs were mined from paddy fields called as ‘Karinilam’(Black paddy fields) until the recent past. This fact throws some light on this theory of Chuttanad evolving to Kuttanad. In Kuttanad most of the place names end in kari (meaning burnt residue or charcoal). Some familiar place names are Ramankary, Puthukkary, Amichakary, Oorukkary, Mithrakary, Mampuzhakary, [[Kainakary]], [[Kandankary|Kandanakary]], Thayamkary, [[Chathenkary]], Chathurthiakary and [[Chennamkary]].

== Divisions ==

The Kuttanad region is categorised into:
* [[Lower Kuttanad]]
* [[Upper Kuttanad]]
* [[North Kuttanad]]

Lower Kuttanadu comprises taluks of [[Ambalapuzha]], [[Nedumudy]], Kuttanadu (excluding [[Edathua]], [[Thalavady]], Kidangara and [[Muttar]]), and the northern half of [[Karthikapally]] taluk in [[Alappuzha district]].

Upper Kuttanad comprises [[Veeyapuram]] and [[Pallippad]] in [[Karthikapally]] taluk, [[Edathua]], [[Thalavady]], Kidangara and [[Muttar]] in Kuttanad taluk; [[Chennithala]] and [[Thriperumthura|Thripperumthura]] villages in [[Mavelikkara]] taluk; [[Mannar, India|Mannar]], [[Kurattissery]], [[Budhanoor]], [[Ennakkad]] villages in [[Chengannur]] taluk of [[Alappuzha district]]; and [[Parumala]], [[Kadapra]], [[Niranam]], Pulikeezhu, [[Nedumpuram]], [[Chathenkary]], [[Peringara]], and [[Kavumbhagam]] villages in [[Pathanamthitta district]].

North Kuttanad comprises [[Vaikom]] taluk, western parts of [[Kottayam]] taluk, and western parts of [[Changanacherry]] taluk in [[Kottayam district]].

== Villages ==

Kuttanad's major villages include [[Kainakary]], [[Chathenkary]], [[Ramankary]], [[Puthukkary]], [[Chennamkary]], [[Nedumudi]], [[Niranam]], [[Kaipuzha]], [[Edathua]], [[Mampuzhakkary]], [[Neelamperoor]], [[Kainady]], [[Kavalam]], [[Pulincunnoo]], Manalady, Kannady Kayalpuram, Veliyanadu, [[Veeyapuram]], Vezhapra, Kunnamkary, [[Kumarankary|Kumaramkary]], [[Valady]], Kidangara, [[Mithrakary]], [[Muttar]], [[Neerattupuram]], [[Thalavadi]], Changankary, [[Champakulam]], [[Nedumudi]], Moonnatummukham, Melpadom, [[Pulincunnu]], [[Pallippad]], [[Payippad]], Karichal, Ayaparambu, Anary, Vellamkulangara, Pilappuzha, Pandi, [[Edathua]], Pacha, Chekkidikad, [[Thakazhy]], [[Cheruthana]], [[Karuvatta]], [[Chennithala]], [[Narakathara]], Venattukad, Kayalppuram, [[Mankompu]], Chathurthiakary, [[Koduppunna]], Oorukkary, Thayankary, [[Thiruvarpu]], [[Arpookara]], Pullangadi, Payattupakka, and [[Kandankary]].

== Backwater paddy cultivation (Kayal cultivation) ==
[[File:Kerala Kuttanad2.jpg|thumb|Paddy fields in Kuttanad]]

The major occupation in Kuttanadu is farming, with rice the most important agricultural product. This activity gives the area its moniker of "The Rice Bowl of Kerala". Large farming areas near [[Vembanad Lake]] were reclaimed from the lake. The history of paddy cultivation in Kuttanad can be traced back centuries. The evolution of paddy cultivation correlated with technological advancement and changes in the regulatory framework that existed during the 19th and 20th centuries. In earlier times, reclamation was carried out mainly from the shallow part of the [[Vembanad|Vembanad Lake]] or from the periphery of the [[Pamba River]]. These reclamations constituted small areas of paddy fields called ''padasekharams''. Bailing out of water from the fields were done manually using water wheels called ''chakram''. Gradually the manual method used for bailing out of water gave way to steam engines.

There were robberies in Kuttanad in earlier days, which were prohibited by the [[Travancore]] Maharajah [[Moolam Thirunal]].

Three distinct stages can be identified in the reclamation of kayal lands from the lake. The first stage was carried out by private entrepreneurs without any financial support from the government. The Pattom Proclamation made by the Travencore Kingdom in 1865, gave a great fillip to reclamation activities between 1865 and 1888. During this period de-watering of the polders was done manually using ''chakram'', which restricted large-scale reclamation. Only about 250 hectares of land were reclaimed during this period. Venadu kayal and Madathil Kayal were reclaimed during this period and are considered the first "Kayal Nilams" to be reclaimed from the Vembanad Lake.<ref>{{cite news
|author = M.S. Swaminathan, FRS
|title = The Kuttanadu Below Sea Level Farming System, India
|newspaper = FAO Website
|date = May 2013
|pages = 8
|url = http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/giahs_assets/Information_Resources_Annexes/Japan_Forum/Kuttanad_Below_Sea_Level_Farming_System.pdf
|access-date = 8 Oct 2013
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150611175117/http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/giahs_assets/Information_Resources_Annexes/Japan_Forum/Kuttanad_Below_Sea_Level_Farming_System.pdf
|archive-date = 11 June 2015
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref> These pioneering reclamation activities in kayal cultivation were made by the two brothers Mathai Luka Pallithanam and Ouseph Luka Pallithanam from Kainady village in Kuttanadu.<ref>{{cite news
|author=G S Unnikrishanan Nair
|title=Kuttanad; Our Heritage Our wealth
|newspaper=KERALA CALLING
|date=Sep 2013
|pages=16–20
|url=http://www.kerala.gov.in/docs/publication/2013/kc/september_13/16.pdf
|access-date=26 Sep 2013
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927092458/http://www.kerala.gov.in/docs/publication/2013/kc/september_13/16.pdf
|archive-date=2013-09-27
}}</ref>

The second phase started during 1888. One of the reclamation during this period was undertaken by Chalayil Eravi Kesava Panicker. He chose to reclaim Vembanad kayal from the mouth of the Chennamkari river as it joins with the back waters. The reclaimed kayal was known as ‘ Attumuttu Kayal’. Other major reclamation on the same year was Seminary Kayal which was undertaken by Kottayam Orthodox Seminary.

The introduction of kerosene engines for dewatering resulted in the reclamation of wider areas of the lake for cultivation. This made farmers consider venturing into the deeper parts of the lake. During the period between 1898 and 1903, reclamation activity was led by Pallithanam Luca Mathai (alias Pallithanathu Mathaichen) who reclaimed the [[Cherukara]] Kayal and Pallithanam Moovayiram Kayal. But the second phase (1890 to 1903) of reclamation activities came to a halt because of the ban on kayal reclamation imposed by the Madras Government in 1903. Cherukali Kayal, Rajapuram Kayal, Aarupanku Kayal, Pantharndu Panku kayal and Mathi Kayal were the other major reclamations during this period.

In 1912, the Madras Government approved a proposal from the Travancore Government for further reclamations in three stages. Under this scheme kayal land was notified for reclamation in blocks each named with a letter of the English alphabet. Out of the total area of 19,500 acres of kayal land, 12,000 acres were reclaimed between 1913 and 1920. After the removal of the ban in 1913, [[Pallithanam Luca Matthai]] along with some other prominent families in Kuttanadu, reclaimed E-Block Kayal measuring a total area 2,400 acres. This is the biggest Kayal Nilam in Kuttanadu. C.J. Kurian, Ex MLC and Mr. John Illikalam were his main partners in this venture. The reclamations between 1914 and 1920, known as the new reclamations, were carried out in three periods. In the first period Blocks A to G measuring 6300 Acres were reclaimed. C Block, D Block (Attumukham Aarayiram (Attumuttu Kayal), Thekke Aarayiram and Vadakke Aarayiram) and E Block (Erupathinalayiram Kayal) F Block (Judge's Aarayiram Kayal) and G Block (Kochu Kayal) are the major Kayal Nilams reclaimed during this period.

During the second period of new reclamation, blocks H to N covering an area of 3600 acres were reclaimed under the leadership of [[Pallithanam Luca Matthai]], Cunnumpurathu Kurien, Vachaparampil Mathen, Pazhayaparmpil Chacko, Kunnathusseril Peious, Ettuparayil Xavier and Pattassery PP Mathai. During the third period of new reclamation, R Block Kayal covering 1,400 acres was reclaimed by the joint efforts of eight families led by then member of Sree Moolam Popular Assembly, [[Pallithanam Luca Matthai]]. His partners in the reclamation included Vachaparampil Mathen, Pazhayaparmpil Chacko, Ettuparayil Xavier, Pattassery PP Mathai, Kaarikkuzhi Ponnada Vaakkaal Mathulla Mappila (E & F block), Meledom, Paruthickal and Kandakudy. Once, while the king of travancore visited the Erupathinalayiram Kayal he was pleased and told Kaarikkuzhi Mathulla Mappila that he should have bought a Ponnada to honor him. Since he has not bought a Ponnada, he presented "Ponnada Vaakkaal" (Ponnada by word). Thereafter his house was known as Ponnadavaakkaal.

From 1920 to 1940 reclamation activity came to a halt because of a steep drop in the price of rice.
[[File:Kuttanad beauty.jpg|alt=Kuttanad beauty|thumb|'''Kuttanad beauty''']]

[[File:Rice fields of Kuttanad.jpg|thumb|left|Farmers using traditional water turbines in a rice field]]
Due to the steep decline in the price of rice between 1920 and 1940 reclamation activities slowed down, but they gained momentum again in the early 1940s. During this period, in order to increase agricultural output, a government initiated "Grow More Food" campaign and the provision of incentives encouraged new reclamations. The advent of electric motors made reclamation relatively easier, cheaper and less risky as compared to in earlier periods. The last tract of the reclamations namely Q, S and T block were made during this period by Thomman Joseph Murickummoottil (Muricken Outhachan) and his wife's family Puthanppura Panchara (Veliyanadu).

[[File:Kuttanad kerala.jpg|alt=Kuttanad kerala|thumb|'''Kuttanad Kerala''']]
As farming in the area increased, farmers felt themselves constrained by the two cycles a year for rice cultivation. The reason for which is the limited availability of potable water in Kuttanadu. During the monsoon seasons, the water from the mountains flow through the rivers to the sea, bringing potable water to Kuttanadu. But during summer, due to the low level of the region seawater enters Kuttanadu, significantly increasing the salinity of the water and making it unpotable.

Also Kuttanad is recognised as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) by [[FAO]]

== Thottappilli Spillway ==
This project was designed as a permanent solution to the flood situation in Kuttanad. This programme was envisaged in such a way that flood waters from Pamba, Manimalayar and Achankovil were diverted to the sea before it reached Vembanad lake. The construction of the Spillway ended by 1959.

In 1968, the Government of India proposed that a bund ([[Dam]]) be made across the river so that seawater would not be allowed to come inside Kuttanad during summer, allowing farmers to cultivate an extra crop per year. The project was planned in three phases, the south side, the north side and another phase to join the two sections. The project was delayed and by the time the first two phases were complete the entire money allotted for the project ran out and left the final phase in limbo. The farmers who were expecting many financial benefits after the completion of the project decided to take matters into their own hands and one night in 1972, a large group of farmers filled the gap between the north and the south side with earth. To this day, the earth embankment between the two sections of the bund remains. With this, it was possible to close the regulator of shutters during December–June when the saline water enters, and then open it during monsoon. Once the Thanneermukkam bund and spillway became operational two crops were possible in Kuttanad.

Even though the bund has improved the quality of life of the farmers, the bund is alleged to have caused severe environmental problems. The backwaters which were abundant with fish and part of the staple food of the people of the region require a small amount of salt water for its breeding. The bund has caused deterioration of fish varieties in the region and the fishermen opposed to the bund as of 2005. The bund has also disrupted the harmony of the sea with the backwaters and has caused problems not foreseen before the bund like the omnipresence of the water weeds. Earlier the salt water tends to cleanse the backwaters but this does not happen any more leading to the pollution of the backwaters and the entire land near by.
'''

== Notable natives and residents ==
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|

* [[Kavalam Sreekumar]] - Singer
* [[Pallithanam Luca Matthai]], former member of Sree Moolam Popular Assembly and pioneer of kayal cultivation in Kuttanad.
* Moncomp Gopalakrishnan - film
* Radhakrishnan Namboothiri - Chakkulathukav Temple chief
* Neelamperoor Madhusoodanan Nair-Poet
* CK Sadasivan - Ex MLA
* [[Renji Panicker]], actor, director, writer and a journalist from Nedumudi village of Kuttanadu.
* [[K. K. Nayar]], administrator and politician.
* [[Nedumudi Venu]], Actor
* [[Ayyappa Panikkar|K. Ayyappa Panikkar]]
* [[Kavalam Narayana Panikkar]]
* [[Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai]], famous novelist, [[Jnanpith]] scholar
* [[Vinayan]], film director.
* [[K. M. Panikkar]], scholar, journalist, historian, administrator, diplomat
* [[K P Sasidharan]] Professor, Malayalam writer, Soviet Land, Sangeeth Nataka academy award winner
* [[Baselios Geevarghese II]], Kallasseri Bava, Kurichy, 3rd Catholicos of Orthodox Church
* [[Kuriakose Elias Chavara]], Indian saint
* [[John Abraham (director)|John Abraham]], film director
* [[Kunchacko Boban]], film actor and director
* [[Saji Thomas]], International Sportsman, Arjuna Awardee
* [[I. C. Chacko, Illiparambil|I C Chacko]], physicist and geologist, state geologist of Travancore State from 1906 to 1921
* [[Thomas Chandy]], MLA, politician
* [[Ramesh Chennithala]], former Minister, UDF political leader
* [[Guru Gopinath]], Indian classical dancer
* [[K. C. Joseph (Kuttanadu politician)|K. C. Joseph]], former MLA,
* [[Kunchacko]], film producer and director
* [[Mar Thomas Kurialacherry]], former archbishop
* oommen Thalavady, Former MLA
* [[Oommen Mathew]], Former MLA, politician
* [[Venu Nagavally]], film actor and director
* [[Mankompu Sivasankara Pillai]] - [[Kathakali]] artist of the classical dance-drama's southern style
* [[Ponkunnam Varkey]], novelist
* [[Sebastian Xavier]], former Indian Olympic swimmer from Kerala
}}

== Politics ==
Kuttanad assembly constituency was a part of [[Alappuzha (Lok Sabha constituency)|Alappuzha]]. After the [[Lok Sabha]] delimitation in 2008, it now belongs to the [[Mavelikkara (Lok Sabha constituency)|Mavelikkara]] constituency.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S11/KL_Dist_PC_AC.pdf
|title=Assembly Constituencies — Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies
|access-date=2008-10-20
|work=Kerala
|publisher=Election Commission of India
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304011026/http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S11/KL_Dist_PC_AC.pdf
|archive-date=2009-03-04
}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Alappuzha]]
* [[Thakazhy]]
* [[Edathua]]
* [[Kavalam]]
* [[Champakulam]]
* [[Kandankary]]
* [[Kainakary]]
* [[Chengannur]]
* [[Mavelikara]]
* [[Kayamkulam]]
* [[Kunnumma]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
{{Commons category|Kuttanad}}
* ''[http://www.countercurrents.org/en-suchitra150703.htm Thirst Below Sea Level]'', M Suchitra, ''[[The Hindu]]'', 15 July 2003
* KT Rammohan. ''Tales of Rice: Kuttanad, Southwest India''. Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, 2006. {{ISBN|81-86353-03-8}}
* KT Rammohan. 2008. 'Rice Fields Reclamation in Southern India' in Helaine Selin (ed). ''Encyclopaedia of the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine in Non-Western Cultures.'' Vol. 2. Berlin, Heidelberg and New York: Springer-Verlag. {{ISBN|978-1-4020-4559-2}}

[[Category:Regions of Kerala]]
[[Category:Landforms of Kerala]]
[[Category:Lowest points]]
[[Category:Pamba River]]
[[Category:Geography of Alappuzha district]]
[[Category:Geography of Kottayam district]]

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