Historical Background

Kadanad Grama Panchayat is a picturesque green region situated 7 kilometers north of Pala town, the headquarters of Meenachil Taluk in Kottayam district. The Panchayat spreads across an area of 40.19 square kilometers. Agriculture has been the primary occupation of the people here from the earliest days of settlement up to the present time.

Geographically, the western part of the Panchayat is generally plain, while the remaining areas consist of small hill ranges and their valleys. The neighboring Panchayats are Bharananganam, Melukavu, Karoor, Ramapuram, Karimkunnam, and Muttom. Kadanad Panchayat falls under the Pala Assembly Constituency. The major portion of the Panchayat lies within Kadanad Village, while Ainkombu Kara belongs to Vellilappally Village and Pizhaku Kara belongs to Ramapuram Village.

History

This region was once a habitat of wild animals. Around A.D. 1000, the Perumakkans ruled the Edathumkunnu area near Kodumpidi in the southeastern part of the region with administrative authority. During this period, a few Nair families and Hindu families belonging to other communities settled here. In addition, some Christian families from Nilackal and North Paravur are also said to have migrated and established settlements in the area.

During the reign of the Vadakkumkoor kingdom, Pandya rulers frequently visited several parts of Travancore for trade purposes. Elders say that Kadanad was one of their trading centers. Since the Pandyas conducted trade centered around Kadanad, the region became known even in distant places.

Origin of the Place Name

There are several opinions regarding the origin of the name “Kadanad.” One belief is that the region, which was once a forest (“Kadu”), became a land of shops and trade due to the Pandya merchants, and thus came to be known as “Kadanad.” Another opinion is that when the forest region gradually developed into an inhabited land (“Nadu”), it became “Kadanad.” Some also believe that the word evolved while retaining the sound “Kada,” meaning beginning or entrance. Others say the name was formed in harmony with nearby place names such as Anthinad, Ullanad, and Alanad. These interpretations continue to exist in local oral traditions.