MinnieZox45714 at 16:33, 28 March 2026

2026-03-28T16:33:28Z

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{{Multiple issues|
{{more citations needed|date=June 2017}}
{{original research|date=July 2021}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Kundara
| native_name = 
| native_name_lang =
| other_name = Kundara
| settlement_type = Satellite Town
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Kerala, India
| coordinates = {{coord|8|57|26.1|N|76|40|23.3|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kerala]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kollam District|Kollam]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = [[Panchayati Raj (India)]]
| governing_body = Kollam Municipal Corporation Kilikollur zone, Kundara Grama Panchayat, Perinad Grama Panchayat, Elampalloor Grama Panchayat, Kottamkara Grama Panchayat
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 11.07
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 37
| population_total = 14,651
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://dop.lsgkerala.gov.in/index.php/en/node/1038 |title=കൊല്ലം ജില്ലയിലെ ഗ്രാമ പഞ്ചായത്തുകളുടെ അടിസ്ഥാന വിവരങ്ങള്‍ | Deparyment of Panchayats |publisher=Dop.lsgkerala.gov.in |date= |accessdate=2022-04-12}}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 691501
| area_code = +91 (0)474
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| registration_plate = KL-02
| blank1_name_sec1 = Nearest city
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Kollam]] (13 km)
| blank1_name_sec2 = [[Climate of India|Climate]]
| blank1_info_sec2 = [[Climatic regions of India|Am/Aw]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]])
| website =
| iso_code = [[ISO 3166-2:IN|IN-KL]]
| footnotes =
| demographics1_info1 = [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], English
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]]
| blank2_info_sec1 = 1096 [[male|♂]]/[[female|♀]]
| blank3_name_sec1 = Literacy
| blank3_info_sec1 = 93.999%
| blank4_name_sec1 = Civic agency
| blank4_info_sec1 = Kundara Panchayat
| blank2_name_sec2 = Avg. annual temperature
| blank2_info_sec2 = {{convert|27.2|°C|°F}}
| blank3_name_sec2 = Avg. summer temperature
| blank3_info_sec2 = {{convert|35|°C|°F}}
| blank4_name_sec2 = Avg. winter temperature
| blank4_info_sec2 = {{convert|24.4|°C|°F}}|
| image_skyline = St. Antony's Shrine Kundara.jpg
| image_caption = St. Antony's Shrine, Mukkada
}}

'''Kundara''' is a [[satellite town]] in [[Kerala]] and is part of the [[Kollam Metropolitan Area]], [[India]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/thrikadavur-becomes-part-of-kollam-city/article7300668.ece |title=Thrikadavur becomes part of Kollam city |work=The Hindu |date=9 June 2015 |access-date=10 November 2016}}</ref> Kundara is situated at the eastern end of [[Kollam]] city. Kundara is significant for its historic involvement in the [[Indian independence movement]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/r-haridas-painting-of-the-kundara-proclamation/article7770308.ece|title=The unsung artist|last=Rajeev|first=Sharat Sunder|date=2015-10-16|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-11-09}}</ref>

Kundara was once the industrial hub of Southern Kerala, which was the home to prominent industrial companies including [[Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Company]], The Aluminium Industries Limited, Kundara(commonly known as ALIND), [[The Kerala Ceramics Limited]] and the Lakshmi Starch company. Many of these companies have closed down or turned into sick industries. Kundara is attempting to revive this industrial tradition and glory of bygone era now by developing [[Technopark Kollam]] and [[The Kerala Ceramics Limited]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2019/apr/11/17-psus-in-kerala-register-operational-profit-as-13-clock-net-profit-1962900.html|title=17 PSUs in Kerala register operational profit as 13 clock net profit|publisher=The New Indian Express|date=2019-04-11|access-date=2019-11-29}}</ref><ref name="Urban Region">{{cite web|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/census/metropolitan/423-kollam.html|title=Kollam Urban Region|work=Census 2011|access-date=September 21, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/461-kollam.html| title=Kollam city population Census |publisher=census2011.co.in |access-date=10 November 2016}}</ref>

Kundara is also famous for backwater fishing since it is located on the shores of Kanjiracode Lake, a branch of [[Ashtamudi Lake]]. This lake recently received Marine Stewardship council recognition for sustainable fishing.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/keralas-ashtamudi-lake-gets-recognition-for-sustainable-clam-fishing/article6574978.ece|title=Kerala's Ashtamudi lake gets recognition for sustainable clam fishing|date=2014-11-07|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-11-09}}</ref>

== History ==
Kundara has a prominent place in the history of Kerala and the independence struggle of India. The place witnessed the historic Kundara proclamation made by then Dalava of Travancore, [[Velu Thampi Dalawa]] on 1809 January 11.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/thalakulathu-valiya-veedu-an-architectural-homage-to-velu-thampi-dalawa/article8565840.ece|title=Home of the brave|last=Rajeev|first=Sharat Sunder|date=2016-05-06|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-11-09}}</ref>

=== Kundara Proclamation ===
Velu Thambi Dalawa, the Prime Minister/Diwan (Dalava) to King Balarama Varma of Travancore in present-day Kerala was one of the earliest opponents of British rule. Velu Thampi dalawa in January 1809 made a proclamation known as the Kundara Proclamation. It was an open call to arms, exhorting the common people to rise up against the British and to overthrow them. There was a massive response to his rallying call. Dalawa had to commit suicide on exile later at Mannadi near [[Adoor]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2018-06-18|title='The Sword of Liberty': Freedom fighter Velu Thambi Dalawa's story in film|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/sword-liberty-freedom-fighter-velu-thambi-dalawas-story-film-83269|access-date=2020-12-01|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref>

In the year 2007, the then Education Minister of Kerala, Shri. M A Baby, unveiled the 'Kundara Vilambaram' memorial at Ellampallor from where the proclamation was made two centuries ago.<ref>{{cite web|title=Velu Thampi Dalawa memorial remains neglected|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2011/oct/19/velu-thampi-dalawa-memorial-remains-neglected-301892.html|access-date=2020-12-01|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> [[File:Kundara Vilambaram Memorial.jpg|thumb|The memorial of Kundara Proclamation near Elamballoor, Kundara|285x285px]]

=== Industrial history ===
Since early days Kundara developed as a market place for trade due to ''21 feet wide'' [[National Highway 744 (India)|Quilon Sengotta Road]] that connected [[Travancore]] to [[Madras Presidency]] and proximity to water transport through [[Ashtamudi Lake]]. In 1904 the [[Kollam-Sengottai branch line|Kollam-Sengottai rail line]] opened up through Kundara. This development facilitated ease of transportation of man, machine and raw material for industrial production to Kollam through rail line from Madras.

In the 1920s [[Cashew business in Kollam|Cashew industry boomed]] in and around Kollam. This gave the first taste of modern industry to Kundara and adjoining areas.

Kundara had abundant reserves of [[China-clay]] the key raw material for [[Ceramic]] and [[Porcelain]]. In 1937 during reign of [[Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma]] the clay processing industry was started in Kundara. In the 1960s this developed into [[The Kerala Ceramics Limited]].<ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|date=2020-09-21|title=Renovated facilities for Kerala Ceramics|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/renovated-facilities-for-kerala-ceramics/article32657025.ece|access-date=2020-12-01|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

The backbone of modern industrialisation of Kundara was setting up of a 66kV [[Electrical substation]] at Kundara on 3 May 1940 which complemented the [[Pallivasal|Pallivasal project]], the first hydroelectric project in Kerala.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Pereira|first=Ignatius|date=2015-05-03|title=Kundara substation reaches a milestone|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kundara-substation-reaches-a-milestone/article7166547.ece|access-date=2020-11-29|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> This was part of the network of first eight substations established in [[Travancore]] between Thrissur and Trivandrum in order to transmit hydroelectricity generated to households towns and industries. The Kundara substation was later upgraded to 220kV capacity and today it is vital in providing electricity to [[Kollam|Kollam City]] and [[Kollam–Thiruvananthapuram trunk line]] of [[Southern Railway zone|Southern Railways.]]

The power of availability of cheap hydroelectricity in Kundara then was such that, it prompted the famous [[Nobel Laureate]], [[C. V. Raman]] and his close associate, [[P. Krishnamurti]] to set up the first ever unit of their newly formed company, '''Travancore Chemical & Manufacturing Company Ltd''' (TCM Ltd) at Kundara in 1943.<ref>{{cite web|title=BSE (formerly Bombay Stock Exchange)|url=https://www.bseindia.com/investors/ArchiveResearch.aspx?id=524156|access-date=2020-12-01|website=www.bseindia.com}}</ref> The unit produced [[Potassium chlorate]] an ingredient used in [[Safety match]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2002-04-15|title=C.V.Raman's gift to Kochi|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/cvramans-gift-to-kochi/article28370081.ece|access-date=2020-12-01|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> This unit once existed near Elampalloor Masjid on present day [[NH 183]] and today it no longer exist

The setting up of substation also helped start Aluminium Industry in Kundara. On the invitation of [[C. P. Ramaswami Iyer]] the [[Diwan of travancore]], on 2 January 1946, [[V. Seshasayee|Seshasayee Brothers Group]] of Madras started the famous '''ALIND, Kundara'''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Nainar|first=Nahla|date=2016-08-05|title=Switching on innovation|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Switching-on-innovation/article14553242.ece|access-date=2020-11-29|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The company was pioneers in aluminium electrical cable manufacturing in the region and has manufactured cables more than 1 crore km in length. The company slipped into crisis in the late 1980s due to labour issues and poor management.<ref>{{cite web|title=Alind, the comeback kid|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/amp/nation/in-other-news/220817/alind-the-comeback-kid.html|access-date=2020-12-01|website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sunny days again for Kundara Alind? - The New Indian Express|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2017/aug/01/sunny-days-again-for-kundara-alind-1636405.html|access-date=2020-12-01|website=www.newindianexpress.com}}</ref>

The industrial prowess of Kundara lead to establishment of [[Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Company]] unit in Kundara for manufacturing train lighting alternator in 1964.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|date=2018-05-29|title=Kollam industries to look up soon|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kollam-industries-to-look-up-soon/article24025944.ece|access-date=2020-12-01|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

After two lost decades the industrial sector in Kundara received a renewed attention since the early 2010s. The setting up of Technopark Kollam at Kundara in February 2011 and renewed emphasis on revival of ALIND KEL and Kerala Ceramics since 2016 are currently happening.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kollam Technopark inauguration on February 15|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2011/jan/30/kollam-technopark-inauguration-on-february-15-223251.html|access-date=2020-12-01|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

=== Kallumala Samaram ===
[[Kallumala Samaram]] a historic event in [[Renaissance in Kerala]] also took place in [[Perinad]] near Kundara.

== Demographics ==
{{bar box
|title=Religion in Kundara<ref name="census2001">{{cite web
| title = Kundara/Elamballoor Town Census 2011 data
| publisher = Census2011
| url = http://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/628442-elampalloor-kerala.html
| access-date =27 October 2016}}
</ref>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percentage
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|#FF7E00|63}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|#00693E|18}}
{{bar percent|[[Christianity]]|#0000FF|18}}
{{bar percent|Others|#000000|1}}
|caption=Distribution of religions 
†Includes Not Stated, [[Sikh]]s (<0.01%), [[Buddhist]]s (<0.01%).
}}
As of the 2011 Census of India,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/628442-elampalloor-kerala.html|title=Elampalloor City Population Census 2011 - Kerala|website=www.census2011.co.in|access-date=2016-11-09}}</ref> Kundara is a census town in [[Kollam district|Kollam District]] in the state of Kerala with a total population of 33,959. The population of children aged 0–6 is 3243, representing 9.55% of the total population of Kundara. The female sex ratio is 1096 per 1000 males, against state average of 1084 and the child sex ratio is 993 females per 1000 males, compared to the Kerala state average of 964. Kundara's literacy rate is 93.99%, lower than the state average of 95%. The male literacy is 96.42% and the female literacy rate is 91.80%.

== Politics ==
[[Kundara (Assembly constituency)|Kundara]] is one among the 11 legislative assembly constituencies in the [[Kollam district|district of Kollam]]. [[P. C. Vishnunadh]] is the current elected member from Kundara constituency.

== Transport ==
=== Railways ===
[[Kundara railway station|Kundara]], [[Kilikollur railway station|Kilikollur]], [[Kundara East railway station|Kundara East]] and [[Chandanattop railway station|Chandanattop]] are the railway stations in Kundara town. In [[Kerala]] it is very rare to have more than one railway station in a town.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiarailinfo.com/departures/kundara-east-kfv/7325 |title=Kundara East Railway Station |publisher=India Rail Info |access-date=10 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://mathrubhumi.com/travel/article/travel_special/of_small_appam_and_kottarakkara/139317/ |title=Kundara Railway Station |publisher=India Rail Info |access-date=10 November 2016 |archive-date=28 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828170452/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/travel/article/travel_special/of_small_appam_and_kottarakkara/139317/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> These stations are part of the [[Kollam–Sengottai branch line]].
[[File:Kundara Railway Station.jpg|thumb|416x416px|[[Kundara railway station]] Sign Board]]
[[File:Kundara Railway.jpg|thumb|416x416px|[[Kundara railway station|Kundara Railway Station (KUV)]]]]'''<big>Roadways</big>'''

The [[National Highway 744 (India)]] and [[National Highway 183 (India)]] connect the city of [[Kollam]] with places in Tamil Nadu such as [[Madurai]] and [[Theni]], pass through Kundara.

The nearest airport is [[Trivandrum International Airport]] which is 67 km by road.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Kundara}}
{{Kollam}}
{{Kerala |state=collapsed}}
{{Kollam district}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Kollam district]]
[[Category:History of Kollam]]

Kundara - Revision history

MinnieZox45714 at 16:33, 28 March 2026