Malappattam
Grama Panchayat

              There are different theories about the origin of the name Malappattam. One tradition holds that the town was built by Mahishasura, the mythical figure mentioned in the Mahabharata, and that Mahishapattanam gradually evolved into Malappattam. Another view is that the name originated from a settlement at the foot of a hill (mala), with Malappattanam later becoming Malappattam. However, there are no written records that conclusively establish the origin of the name.

Between AD 1000 and 1500, the region was ruled by the Mushika kings. There is evidence that when Sreekandan, one of the Mushika rulers, established Sreekandapuram, the neighbouring region of Malappattam was also under his authority. Malappattam was a region where Brahminical dominance prevailed, as indicated by the riverbank temple culture and surviving palm-leaf manuscripts.

There is also evidence of the history of people who became victims of the social inequalities and caste hierarchies that existed during the feudal period. One such incident concerns a man from the Malaya community who was beheaded for marrying a woman from a dominant-caste family. Places known as Malayane Kotha Kari and Bharyaye Kotha Kari (near the present high-school premises), as well as Koovamparamba, are associated with this history.

Another martyr remembered in local history is Harijan Pollan of Kolanth. According to local accounts, a dominant-caste man killed Pollan after accusing him of having seen a woman's nakedness. The incident reportedly occurred when the woman's garment became caught on a thorn while she was picking kottakkappazham (a local fruit) while travelling.

Islam is believed to have established a presence in Malappattam during the 14th century. Arab traders who came to Kolathunadu for commercial purposes established settlements at Sreekandapuram and Peelikott, contributing to the spread of Islam in the region. Chooliyad is regarded as the earliest centre.

The region also developed a rich tradition of art and culture associated with temple life. Theyyam, a major ritual art form of North Malabar, is traditionally believed to have existed in the region from an early period. Other belief-based practices, including Thachu Mantram, Kanneeru (the evil-eye tradition), Kalam Pattu, Mantravada, Kodamoorippattu, and Aadivedan, continued in the area until recent times.

Modern History
The modern history of Malappattam began around the beginning of the 20th century. Caste-based inequalities, including untouchability and restrictions on social interaction, were deeply entrenched in society.

During the 1920s, the ideas of Sree Narayana Guru challenged these social inequalities. Building on similar ideals and emphasizing human values, Sivananda Swami and Veshala Swami visited Malappattam and conducted programmes aimed at social awareness and reform. Activities such as communal dining (Panti Bhojanam) and campaigns against caste discrimination gradually developed into an organised movement for social transformation.

In 1936, the foundations of the national movement were laid in Malappattam. Under the leadership of the peasant movement, organised efforts were undertaken to bring people who had lived under conditions of oppression into the process of social transformation and to mobilise them against colonial rule.

Education and Cultural Development
The roots of education in Malappattam can be traced to the Gurukula system that existed in Namboodiri households. Education was largely inaccessible to lower-caste communities.

About a century ago, Ramar Guru established a school, now known as R.G.M. School, which became the first educational institution in the area. It was among the 24 schools recognised by the British Government in Malabar. In those days, narayam (a traditional writing instrument) and ezhuthola (palm-leaf manuscripts) were used for writing and learning.

In 1940, an official school was established at Kappattukunnu, followed later by schools at Chooliyad and Chedicheri. The school at Kolanth was established in 1958. Until the establishment of Malappattam High School in 1981, students from the area had to travel to high schools in Mayyil, Sreekandapuram and Irikkur for secondary education.

As a centre of cultural activity, the first library in Malappattam was established at Pookkandam in 1936 under the leadership of the peasant organisation. It initially functioned as a night school. Drama groups, Kolkkali teams and singing groups also became important instruments of social and cultural transformation.