Administrative History

The area that constitutes the present-day Chelannur Grama Panchayat was formerly part of Kozhikode Taluk in the erstwhile Madras State. Chelannur also had several distinguished individuals who made significant sacrifices as part of India's freedom struggle.

As part of the freedom movement, several prominent personalities actively participated in campaigns such as the eradication of untouchability, boycott of foreign goods, the Khadi movement, and the prohibition of alcohol. Among them were:

• Thiruvoth Muthoran

• P. Krishnan Master

• Thamaramangalath Achuthan Nair

• P.C. Raghavan Nair

• K. Chathunni Master

• Killirisseri Krishnan Nair

• Panikkachankandi Mammath Koya

• Vallopra Mammath Koya, who campaigned carrying the national flag

• Krishnan Nambissan

The Mishrabhojanam (inter-dining) and Kulam Theendal (the struggle for the right to access public water sources) held at the residence of Shri Thaniyan at Kuni, Palayatt Thazham, were important struggles against untouchability and social practices of discrimination.

Under the old District Board, Chelannur was part of the Chevayur Firka. The Chelannur Panchayat was formed on 16 December 1963, with Shri Athooli Muthoran Master as its first President.

First Panchayat Members

The first members of the Panchayat were:

• P. Krishnan Master – Vice President

• Manichery Raghavan Nair

• Thayyilil Pakru

• Mannarakkal Velayudhan

• Chathanadath Illath Krishnan Namboothiri

• Cheruperattil Muthorakkutty

• Thiruvoth Muthoran

• Smt. Sumathi Menokki – Nominated Member

On 8 December 1966, Smt. O.P. Madhavi was selected as the nominated woman member in place of Smt. Sumathi Menokki.

A prominent figure in the political history of the Panchayat was Shri Sharath Veettil Meethal Krishnan Master, a Harijan leader who contested and won from a general seat. Local residents continue to remember the hardships, persecution and physical assaults he endured during the freedom struggle.

Following the resignations of Raghavan Nair, M. Velayudhan and P. Pakru, an interim Panchayat ward election was held. Koroth Poyil Abdul Khader, Thamaramangalath E. Achuthan Nair and Vadakkanparambath Sankaran Nair were elected as members.

On 8 December 1966, Shri Thamaramangalath E. Achuthan Nair became President, and a new Panchayat Board was subsequently constituted. Following his untimely demise, Shri A. Muthoran Master once again became President in 1970.

Panchayat Office

The Panchayat office has been functioning in its own building since 13 July 1968. The building was inaugurated by Shri Joseph, the District Collector at the time.

Before moving to its present premises, the Panchayat office functioned in a rented building belonging to Pokkali Kunjikkanaran of Chelannur 8/2. The present Panchayat office was constructed on land donated by Shri Thiruvoth Muthoran, who was a member of the Panchayat Board.

1980 Panchayat Election

Following the 1980 Panchayat election, the administrative committee was headed by Shri A.P. Gopalan Master as President. The members were:

• C.K. Raman

• V.V. Rajan

• V.C. Ravindran

• U.P. Padmanabhan

• M.S.S. Namboothiri

• V. Madhavan

• A. Damodaran Master

• Nanjanath Shanthakumari

• Vattolimethal Balakrishnan

After Shri A.P. Gopalan Master stepped down as President, Shri U.P. Padmanabhan became President and a new Board was constituted.

1988 Panchayat Election

After a long interval, the Panchayat election was held again in 1988. The committee was headed by Shri M.P. Velayudhan Master as President.

The members included:

• P. Ramankutty Vaidyar

• Swarnalatha Teacher

• A. Mohdin Abdul Khader

• N.K. Rasneshwaran

• V. Soman

• T.K. Somanathan

• T. Jayarajan

• K. Ramanunni Master – Vice President

• K.M. Radha Teacher

• Mullassery Ramadasan

73rd Constitutional Amendment

Following the implementation of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, a Panchayati Raj administrative committee was constituted. The elected members were:

• P. Beevi Mustafa

• V.M. Chanthukkutty

• Prasanna Sathyan

• Kandiyil Ramachandran Nair

• K. Janaki

• N.K. Ramneshwaran

• U.K. Reena

• T.P. Prakashan

• R.M. Harshavardhanan

• P. Sreedharan

• M. Prakashan

• P.K. Baburaj

Shri P. Sreedharan served as President, Shri V.M. Chanthukkutty as Vice President, and Shri R.M. Harshavardhanan as the Standing Committee Chairman.

Standing Committee

The Standing Committee consisted of the Chairman and the following members:

• P. Beevi Mustafa

• M. Prakashan

• T.P. Prakashan

• P.K. Baburaj

The President and Vice President were ex-officio members.

Former Presidents at a Glance