Parali
Grama Panchayat

Built in 1852 during the British rule using only lime mortar and bricks, under the supervision of Engineer W. R. Robinson and Superintendent Viadis, the nine-arched, bridge called 'Puruli Bridge' still stands today beside the new bridge without significant damage—serving as a bridge to the history of Parali. It is said that the name 'Parali' originated from the name of this 'Puruli Bridge'.

Parali, which was part of South Malabar during British rule, was a notable commercial center. However, the wounds inflicted by World War I and World War II led to the decline of Parali's trade.

Thenur Athazhampeccakavu, Kinavallur Chemmanikkavu, Thekkinedath Temple, Edathara Ayyappankavu, Odanur Mundakkavu, and Odanur Shiva Temple are among the famous and ancient temples in the Panchayat. Similarly, the Muslim places of worship in Parali and Kamba are also ancient places of worship. It is said that the ancestral house of V. K. Krishna Menon was in Parali. M. Kesavan Nair (Madassery House, Edathara), N. Madhavan Nair (Edathara), and T. V. Manikkan Ashari (Thenur) were freedom fighters from Parali who marked their presence in the freedom struggle. It is understood that they participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Quit India Movement.

Many public meetings organized as part of the freedom movement were held beneath the Puruli Bridge and on the river sandbanks. Leaders like A. K. Gopalan and K. Kelappan came here and delivered speeches. It is said that while the leaders spoke loudly from the sandbank without a microphone, the listeners gathered atop the bridge.

Parali also witnessed another fierce peasant agitation. Known as the 'Kumbalanga Samaram' (Ash Gourd Protest), it was a protest against the humiliation suffered by a tribal woman named Kannuthalla at the hands of the prevailing feudal system. Following the implementation of prohibition in 1964, toddy tappers lost their livelihoods, leading the workers to stage protests demanding the removal of the ban.

Parali was able to absorb the great light of change during the freedom struggle and the subsequent renaissance period. Until 1956, Parali was a interior Palakkad village in South Malabar, which was part of the Madras State. It is a lush green agricultural village enriched by clusters of palmyra palms, the Kalladikode hills, and the Perar river.

Until the first half of the 20th century, the village experienced sleepless nights filled with performances of Aryamala, Harishchandra Natakam, and Porattu Kali. A notable feature of Palakkad villages is the presence of numerous small shrines dedicated to Kodungallur Bhagavathy. The practice of celebrating the story of Kannagi-Kovalan (known locally as Nallammapattu) in the form of Bhagavathipattu festivals continues to this day. Kalam Pattu and Kalam Ezhuthu in Sarpa Kavu (sacred serpent groves) are also conducted here even today.

'Paraya Pootham', performed during temple festivals (Kavu Velas), is a folk art form that can be claimed as unique to Parali. In every locality, a Kalarippanicker family served as the local teachers (Gurus). Children would go to the teacher's house with palm leaves and iron styluses. The teachers taught children the alphabet by having them trace letters on sand with their fingers. Once they mastered the alphabet, they were taught Sanskrit grammar texts like Amarakosha, followed by the Puranas and epics. Until Western education gained popularity, this was the system of education in the village, and the same prevailed in Parali.

Parali was home to several renowned practitioners in the field of Ayurveda. The names of Thenur Melethil Ramankutti Vaidyar and Narayana Vaidyar are worthy of remembrance. The pediatric treatment ('Bala Chikitsa') at Pooppally for childhood illnesses was particularly famous.

Social inequalities based on caste existed prior to independence. However, during the renaissance era, radical changes occurred, leading to the emergence of a secular culture in Parali. During British dominance, Parali was under the control of certain feudal lords. When the nation was ablaze in the crucible of the freedom movement, sparks of protest inevitably reached Parali as well. Parali's history indicates that its people were ready to react against feudal landlordism.

From ancient times, Parali has been home to a population leading a peaceful life without caste animosity or religious rivalry. The people of Parali upheld a broad outlook characterized by communal harmony and high culture.

Thenur East L.P. School, Thenur West U.P. School, Kinavallur L.P. School, and Edathara U.P. School, established in the early 20th century, are the oldest educational institutions in Parali. Today, across the aided and government sectors, Parali has one High School, two U.P. Schools, and four L.P. Schools. Additionally, there are two unaided High Schools and an Arabic College in Parali.

Numerous libraries and reading rooms operate in the field of informal education. The Kamala Nehru Memorial Library, owned by the Panchayat, is the oldest institution in Parali. Apart from this, 15 reading rooms function in this field today. Six libraries affiliated with the Kerala Granthasala Sangham operate here. At one time, these reading rooms paved the way for cultural renaissance.

'Paraya Pootham' is a traditional folk art form unique to Parali. The ritual arts of Malabar, Poothan and Thira, are celebrated in the local groves (Kavus) and temples. The Thalappoli at Edathara Ayyappan Kovil, Odanur Mundiyan Kavu Vela, and Kinavallur Chemmanikkavu Vela are prominent festivals here. Ayyappan Pattu, Bhagavathi Pattu, and Mariamman Pooja are festivals widely conducted in this region.