Peruvayal
Grama Panchayat

Situated on the banks of the Chaliyar River and the Cherupuzha, Peruvayal Panchayat is a rural region rich in hills, slopes, streams, and valleys. The main crops include paddy, coconut, arecanut, black pepper, cashew, rubber, banana, and vegetables. Paddy, once the primary crop providing the most employment days, has today been replaced by cash crops. This expansive Panchayat is located about 8 km east of the city headquarters, adjacent to the Kozhikode Corporation. The Kozhikode-Mavoor road passes through the Panchayat. In the past, Perumanna Angadi (market) served as the hub for rural produce. Handwoven mats (Kaitholappaya), crafted by traditional artisans, were a hallmark of the Peruvayal-Perumanna regions, and a market once operated there. Similarly, areas like Cherukulathur, which yielded excellent harvests due to the hard work of rural farmers, and regions like Chemmalathur, Keezhumad, Kayalam, Vellayikode, and Kizhakkekara—once the cradles of vegetable cultivation—can now be described as "lost springs." Kuttikattoor Angadi, a long-standing market for arecanut, cashew, and coconut, remains the primary market in the Panchayat today. The region was home to many notable individuals who were involved in the national freedom struggle. Poovattuparamba, the headquarters of the Panchayat, is a rapidly growing market center.

In the olden days, people in Peruvayal Panchayat relied on folk medicine and sorcery for healing. There were no allopathic doctors, or Ayurvedic and Homeopathic doctors, as exist today. The major trade centers in this vast Panchayat were Kuttikattoor, Poovattuparamba, Perumanna, and Peruvayal. Over time, as the population density increased, small and large markets emerged. Street corners became active hubs for discussing local affairs and seeking solutions to grievances. Recognizing the value of knowledge, the people established libraries. To dispel superstitions among a populace that believed smallpox was caused by the wrath of the goddess and cholera by the mischief of 'Kuttichathan' (a folk spirit), enlightened individuals took the lead in providing relief and showing the path of reason. Late figures like V.T. Achuthan Nair and K.P. Govindankutti from the Cherukulathur region are examples of this. During World War II, anti-Japanese rallies and freedom movement activities were actively conducted here.

Many of the primary schools were established in the 1920s, and several traditional religious schools (Othupallis) were converted into modern schools during that period. However, no higher educational institutions emerged at that time. It was only in 1980 that the first high schools were established in the Panchayat. Prior to the 1980s, students relied on schools in Kunnamangalam, Pantheerankavu, other city high schools, and St. Xavier’s for high school education. College education was solely dependent on colleges in the city, resulting in a low number of graduates. With the aim of providing vocational training alongside education, St. Xavier’s U.P. School taught weaving and spinning thread using charkhas and taklis. Notable educational institutions near the Panchayat include the REC (NIT) in Chathamangalam, the Medical College in Chevayur, St. Joseph’s College in Devagiri, and Zamorin’s Guruvayurappan College.

Peruvayal Grama Panchayat has a significant industrial history. Traditional industries were strong as early as the 1950s, with handloom weaving, pottery, beedi rolling, and mat weaving deeply rooted in the region. A weavers' society operated in Cherukulathur, and the Vellayikode Khadi Village Industries Cooperative Society functioned in the Perumanna region. Beedi rolling and coir production were also carried out effectively in the Peruvayal-Perumanna areas. These industries began to vanish with the advent of modern industries. There are no large-scale industries in the Peruvayal Panchayat. It is a Panchayat that lacks sufficient progress or facilities in terms of transport development. While the Panchayat is significant due to its proximity to major Kerala institutions like the Kozhikode Medical College, the Engineering College in Chathamangalam, and the Mavoor Gwalior Rayons, it relies solely on road transport. In the early days, the primary connection to major industrial centers in Kozhikode district—such as Cheruvannur, Feroke, Kallai, and Mankavu—was through water transport on the Chaliyar River. The existing Mankavu-Kanniparamba road, which passes through the Panchayat, was an early footpath built by the Zamorin royal family of Kozhikode for travel to the Kanniparamba Shiva Temple and other shrines in the Mavoor Panchayat. The road passing through the center of the Panchayat, known today as the Mavoor Road, facilitated travel from Kozhikode to Thengilakkadavu since ancient times. Its importance and name grew following the establishment of the Mavoor Gwalior Rayons and the construction of the Thengilakkadavu bridge.

The culture here in the past was a mix of rituals, faith, and rationalism. This village is a picturesque region filled with hills, mountains, forests, plains, streams, rivers, and paddy fields. The people here solely depended on agriculture and handicrafts for their livelihood. Although society was divided into religious, caste, and sub-caste groups, art and culture were preserved well within those boundaries. The St. Xavier's Church at Panachingal and the mosques at Maniyalam Kaniath and Kayalam Kandanchari are notable places of worship. In the Cherukulathur region, a library named 'Vijnanaposhini' was established under the leadership of V.T. Achuthan Nair, K.P. Govindankutti, and others; this was the first cultural institution in the area. The functioning of the rural library in Perumanna helped lead many initiatives. Collective reading was a contribution from the labor sector to the cultural sphere. The history of how the cooperative sector supported the cultural sector can be seen in the cultural programs held during the early anniversary celebrations of the People's Canteen in Perumanna. Songs and performances by the late poets Kumaran Vaidyar and K.M. Muhammadali, which presented political and social issues with a touch of humor, gained special attention. The late E. Kalidasan, a prominent figure in the arts, made invaluable contributions to theater, cinema, and folk arts. The rhythmic sounds of Chenda (drums) and Thudi, emanating from this region known as a cradle of folk art, are remnants of past rituals. The 'Thira', which originated as a temple art, represents various concepts of divinity. The Kolamthullal, rhythmic performances, Thottam songs, and Nagappattu (snake chants) are not only enjoyable but also provide a sense of spiritual intoxication.