Kudallur: GUPS upgraded to High School

It’s a matter of joy for every villager that the Govt. Upper Primary School Kudallur has been upgraded to High School. The decision of upgrading was announced by VS Achuthanandan, the Chief Minister of Kerala on 8th September 2010 after the state cabinet meeting in Thiruvanathapuram. The up-gradation is under the central government project Rastriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA). From the next academic year onwards the school will be known as Govt. High School Kudallur.
It has been a dream of the people of Kudallur and nearby areas for a long time to get a High School within their immediate reach. The nearest High School as of now, for them are Dr. KB Menon Memorial Higher Secondary School, Thrithala (the old THS Thrithala) and Govt. Higher Secondary School Anakkara. Vattenad GVHSS and GHSS Mezhathur are the next options. The calm and beautiful landscape of GUPS will now offer its blessing to more students. The students from Kudallur, nearby areas like Kumbidi, Manamakkav and the places on the other bank of Nila such as Perasannur and Mankeri will be benefited from this up-gradation.
Earlier, the demand for a High School was stronger in the village. Later, when transport facilities improved and new generation schools became established, that demand grew weaker. Kudallur Vikasana Munnani (Kudallur Development Front) had put forth the demand for the up-gradation of school. It was in 1995-96 period.
Anyway, a school is rightly appreciated for its caliber and the need for a high school in the area is recognized now.
The other schools upgraded in Palakkad district along GUPS are
1. GUPS Thenkara
2. GUPS Vallappuzha
3. GSBS Nellikkurussi
4. GUPS Nagalasseri
5. GMUPS Vilyaur
6. GUPS Kodumunda
7. GUPS Ummini
8. GUPS Vennakkara
9. GBUPS KUzhalmannam
10. GUPS Bemmanur
11. GUPS Thiruvazhiyod
12. GUPS Kallingalpadam
13. GUPS Mudappallur
14. GUPS Vadasseripuram
15. GUPS Paloor
16. GTUPS Muttathukad
17. GUPS Meenkashipuram
18. GUPS Nanniyod
19. GUPS Thenari
A total of 60 schools upgraded to High Schools across Kerala.

Kudallur: Guruthi for Kodikkunnath Bhagawati performed

Guruthi pooja is a pooja where the ‘guruthi’ is offered to the Goddess. Guruthi represents blood and blood symbolizes vitality. So guruthi pooja is where you offer the vitality to the Goddess (citation from www.shripuram.org). Desa Guruthi is a kind of Guruthi pooja in which the vitality is offered to deity on behalf of a Desam (village or place).

The last Desa Guruthi to Sri Kodikkunnath Bhagawati, the goddess of the Kudallur village was performed at Kudallur on 2nd April 2010, Friday (1185 Meenam 19). The rituals of Guruthi were conducted at Guruthi Paramb nead Kudallur Sri Vazhakavu Durga Bhagawati temple. Kuttan Adikal, one of the known performers of religious rituals like Guruthi led the programme.

The rituals started at 6.00am at Vazhakavu Durga Bhagawati temple with Ganapati homam. This was followed by Usha pooja, Navakom and Niramala. Koorayidal (the flag hoisting) was at 11.00am. At noon Ucha pooja was conducted followed by Bhagawatippaatt and Kalam pooja. Then was the time for Ezhunnellipp, the colourful and devotional possession. It was started from old Guruthi paramb to the new one. Three elephants (Kootanad Rajasekharan carrying the thidamb, Madhusankar and Sivan) were the part of possession. Poothan and Thira, Kalavela and the like made the possession a spectacular one.

Panchavadyam led by Kalamandalam Annamanada Parameswara Maraar, Pariyarath Chandra Maraar, Pallassana Murali, Nalleppilly Kuttan, Kalamandalam Kuttinarayanan , Thrippunithura Sasi and the like gave the village a musical treat filled with devotion.

Melam, another musical treat for the goddess was performed in the evening, at 5.00pm. 6.30- Deeparadhana, 7.00-Ashtapathi, 7.30- Thayambaka (by Guruvayur Sasi Maraar), 9.00- Keli (Chenda: Kottakkal Ravi, Madhalam: Kayilad Babu), 10.00- Bhagawatippattu were also held. At around 10.30pm Purath Ezhunnellipp began. Panchavadyam and, Girls and women with thalams accompanied the possession and rounded Vazhakavu Temple.

At midnight the most important part of Desaguruthi wad done with great piety. Guruthi pooja was performed first. Then the scholar led the ritual of sacrificing a goat, and offered the blood to Sri Kodikkunnath Bhagawati. This ritual is called Tharppanam.

In the wee hours of the next day Vadakkan Vathukkal Karmam and Thendu theendal was also done. The day night long rituals came to an end when Koora Valikal (flag lowering) was done at around 3.00am.

Sri Kodikkunnath Bhagawati is believed to be the goddess of Kudallur, by the Hindus at Kudallur. She protects the village from famine, drought and epidemics, according to their belief.

Kudallur: First Ayurvedic Hospital Comes Soon

Kudallur gets her first hospital in the valley of Thannikkunnu. The famous ‘thriphala’ family is behind this prestigious venture, which is rightly led by the known Ayurvedic physician Dr. Hurair Kutty. The ‘thriphala’ family, the real name of which is Pallimanjayalil is famous for their tradition of service to the society. The family got the legacy of Ayurvedic service from the daughter in law Thitheemu Umma, who was the member of well known Kattipparuthy ancestry of Valanchery. As she was the knot of a glorious tradition, her presence became a blessing to the village of Kudallur. Thitheemu Umma served the village by giving her loving care to the needy people, especially the children. She had an in-depth knowledge of the treatment for various diseases. The effectiveness of her treatment made her a known healer in the region and the Pallimanjayalil family became famous for the Ayurvedic treatment it provides. Thitheemu Umma was married to P.K.Abdullakutty Sahib, a freedom fighter. Dr. Hurair Kutty is their son and the current leader of the rich tradition. Dr.Shiyas and Dr.Niyas, sons of Hurair Kutty are the new torch bearers in the family. Their young sisters Nishitha and Manhath are also Ayurveda doctors now.
The foundation stone for Thitheemu Umma Memorial Ayurvedic Hospital and Research Centre was laid on 3rd January 2010 at 9.30 am by Paloly Mohammed Kutty, Minister for Local Administration. Panakkad Sayed Rasheed Ali Shihab Thangal, M.P.Abdu Samad Samadani (Ex.M.P.), T.P.Kunchunni (M.L.A, Thrithala), C.P.Mohammed(M.L.A., Pattambi) and many other important personalities attended the function. Newly formed P.K.Abdullakutty Sahib Memorial Trust controls the activities of the hospital.

Kudallur: New Masjid Opened

The old masjid, we talked about in the previous post, has been reconstructed and opened for the believers. The inauguration ceremony was held on 2009 May 28. It took one and 20 months to complete the construction of the new building. The masjid’s inner part is decorated with costly tiles and synthetic mats. It has enough room for the believers to assemble and pray.

Where did we loss ourselves?

Kutteem kolum- have you heard about it? Leave it; what about Vattukali? No?

Here a group of kids are recollecting their experiences and sharing their dreams about a world where they can at least smile with pleasure. Children of G.U.P.School Kudallur published a small book, Kutteem kolum to share their cheer. Reading the book, your eyes will get wet with a lot of memories you have lost in the hectic schedule to follow and to live.

Students of these times have become truly elders. Their characters show it. They speak about big things rather than about a butterfly or jasmine flower. They play serious games and they do not have time to spend for others. Simply speaking, they have been made scapegoats of fast changing world of business. Everything is valued based on its monetary value.

Reading the book, we may try to become just kids for some time.

Vidyarangam Kalavedi Group of GUPS worked behind Kutteem Kolum, with the help of Mahboob Kudallur, their teacher and a young journalist.

They have created a blog: www.kutteemkolum.blogspot.com

This was the second publication from the school which attracted the attention of readers.

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Kudallurinte Ormapusthakam

All about Kudallur- thats the best description this book can ever have, because each and evey page of this book says something deep and amazing on Kudallur. Like the name suggests, its a look back to the ways through which Kudallur came through. And also remembering the great icons whose achievements and efforts were precious to the village. Social, cultural, natural and historic aspects of the village are well covered in this book. The book is released as a part of Government U.P.School Silver Jubilee Celebrations.

The major highlight of the book is N.M.Namboodiri's study on Kudallur. He describes the formation of Kudallur. His attempt reveals the historic progression of lot of villages including Kudallur, better called 'Vayyavinaadu'. The article 'Ee Manohara Theerath', written by Achuthan Kudallur brings back his childhood memories in Kudallur. Alankod Leelakrishnan, express his views on Kudallur through the article 'Amaranmarude Gramathil' which focuses on how M.T. books and Kudallur is closely related. He calls Kudallur, a village where the people lives through stories and memories. His article also goes deep through myths connected to the village.

Kudallur's own writer Vaseerali Kudallur also comes up with his memories on the village. 'Oru Kudallur Veeragadha', a walk to Madath Thekkepattu house by T.V.M. Ali brings out more on Kudallur's illustious son writer M.T.Vasudevan Nair and his home. M.T. Ravindran also appears with his words on Madath Thekkepattu house. M.T.N.Nair, brother of M.T.Vasudevan Nair translates a Khaleel Gibran story named 'Perunnal Thalennu'.

P.Surendran makes a close watch and study on Achuthan Kudallur's paintings and explains what makes Achuthan Kudallur different in the artistic world. Dr.Rajan Chungath enters the world of 'Parayipetta Panthirukulam' and presents the readers more details about Thrithala.

The book also takes a look onto the folklore of the village. Mehaboob Kudallur brings out various heard and unheard stories on myths connected to the village. Study on artistic tradition of Kudallur by M.Shivashankaran and feature on traditional arts and festivals by M.Suresh Babu adds more to the folklore. An article on Kudallur's famous game 'Pakidakali' described by Balettan, gives a brief idea on the rules and styles of the game.

The book had succeeded in extracting Kudallur life to a great extent. It does a deep study on Kudallur's diversity in flora and fauna. Butterflies seen on the banks of Nila, birds, fishes and more adds a different dimension to the book. Progression of Nila, agricultural background, surrounding ranges of hills and various water resources are the distinct subjects that comes in between the pages. More interesting facts on roads, buses, electricity, cinema, telephone, radio and library also finds place in the book. The last pages of this book concentrates on articles written by teachers and students of Government U.P.School, Kudallur. Also a brief report on school's silver jubilee celebrations is brought out. Perhaps the only negative point marked with the book is that one or two articles missed focus on Kudallur.

Efforts behind 'Kudallurinte Ormapusthakam' is highly appreciable since the book covers almost culture and society of Kudallur. Also the book had to face lot of challenges regarding the funds and is only for private distribution. Definitely Kudallur people could be proud of this book at all times. The book was relaesd during, the 50 years celebration of Naalukettu held at Thrissur. Kudallur.com is thankful to this book to a great extend because of the fact that the book had been a big support in post web development.
(The description is from www.kudallur.com)

Kudallur: Curtain falls at Sridhar

New Year came. There will be no more show at Sridhar Talkies, Kudallur as the management decided to close it. Perhaps, it will open for the people as a rural auditorium, locally known as kalyanamandapam. Sridhar was the cinema hall for the rural film lovers. Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil and English films were screened here. Its roof is tar sheet; floor is of rough cement patches.
People from the area came to Sridhar. It was a centre for daily workers to cheer with. The most interesting thing is the presences of families come to see a film sitting together. Head-load workers, especially the sand excavating ones came to Sridhar along with their families. The Tamil people who arrived for telecom works too were there. The cinema hall expects families at night show starting at 6.30pm. Matinee would be the get together of teenagers and youngsters. The late night show, known as ‘Second show’, starts at 10.30pm is fully enjoyed by youngsters.
As time passed, transport facilities improved and the village started to go out for watching films. Naturally, Sridhar became the second option for them. But the management of the hall tried to modernize it by implementing advanced Satellite Cinema. But they failed, as many think, to follow up the modernizing programme.
But many of villagers still remember the first film in their life seen at a cinema hall.