Socio-cultural Processes and Livelihood Patterns at Tirurangadi - CDS

in Venniyur. There were also a few match companies, such as Malabar “tiger’ matches in
Tirurangadi.
Tirurangadi since 1956
The above account has brought us to the formation of Kerala state. It remains for us to
give an account of the changes that have taken place since 1956, before undertaking an
analysis of the contemporary issues. Land reforms in Kerala, initiated by the first
Communist Ministry in Kerala and completed during the seventies, brought about
sweeping changes in the social relations. It was probably the single most important factor
in the transformation of the region as well as the problems that it is facing today. During
the period of land reforms, the power of all the landlords disappeared. Nambutiri Illams
like, Thekkiniyath Keerangat and Muthedath shifted to Thrissur, and other Illams like
Chiramangalath, Thotuva Muthedath, Attayur, Edamarath and Mangalassery remained in
the region, although they lost practically everything during land reform. Devaswama also
lost their lands. It is clear that those households dependent on the paddy fields suffered
the most. The nayar households, who had considerable paramba lands also, suffered
through partition of their property. There were cases of households who divided
themselves into forty different segments, and thus reduced to small holders. Large
landlords like Puzhankadavath, Attukalathil, Arangat kurup, have been reduced to small
holders, and only the large taravad of Mangat Mussad remains, without occupants.
Neduvancheri Mussad, another earlier landlord, is now a newspaper agent and Attayur
Nambutiri is a retired schoolmaster. So is Edamana nambutiri, who is also involved in the
management of the school (CBHS).Puzhikkal family in Nannambra is now partitioned,
and the main branch now owns only a few acres of paramba land. Mulavanuli Illam in
Nannambra has disappeared although the paramba in the name remains. Thottassiiri
Panikkars have been reduced to owners of a small paramba, managed by a woman, and