Karuvarakundu
Grama panchayat

                                                          History of Grama Panchayat
        Social History
“Karu_” means iron ore. The place where iron ore was collected came to be known as _Karuvarakkundu. There are historical indications that this region had an ancient connection with iron. There is evidence that those who worked with ore had the family name Aripanikkar. If you wish, Karuvarakundu can be called the Jamshedpur of South India. History says that 2000 years ago, swords, pans, and other items made of iron here were exported to countries like Egypt, Turkey, and Damascus. Every place name in Karuvarakundu has a history behind it. The sandy area with ore was called Arimanal, the place at the head of the river was called Arthala, the place where the old shop stood in the trade of the Kormathukars was called Pazhaya Kada, the place where a new shop came up was called Puthiya Kada, the place where the Chettiyars wove pavumundu was called Pavayi, the uninhabited area was called Tharishayi, the place you reach after crossing forests and fields where there is light in the grassland was called Pulvetta, the place with many veetti trees was called Veettikunnu, the place with many punna trees was called Punnakkad, the place with many vaaka trees was called Vakode, the place where the winnowing basket tore when paddy was heaped was called Murukeeri, the place where maruthu trees stood was called Maruthingal, and the place where poduvanni stood was called Poduvanni.The ripples of the Malabar Rebellion that broke out in Eranad in 1921 against the British also reached Karuvarakundu. On August 20, 1921, when news spread that the British army had fired at the Tirurangadi mosque, anti-British sentiment flared up here too. The next day, the Karuvarakundu police station was attacked, weapons were seized, and the four policemen at the station fled for their lives. The police station was burnt to ashes. The T.B. here and the bungalow and factory of the Kerala Estates sahib were attacked. Sahibs like Carlbrook and Brown sought refuge in the forest. Eton Sahib, who was coming through the forest from Pullangode Estate, was caught and killed by the rebels. Many people from here also participated in the Pandikkad Chanthappurayunthal protest. The British army that arrived in Karuvarakundu to suppress the rebellion first set up barracks at Chembankunnu and later at Chempinkunnu. The present Government Higher Secondary School is located in this barracks. Many who participated in the rebellion were deported. Variyamkunnath Kunhahammed Haji, who assumed authority as the colonel of the Khilafat movement, had close ties with this region. In 1949, during a labor strike at Kerala Estates, it was Comrade Kunjali who spoke to the British on behalf of the workers. With the success of the strike, the labor movement in the plantation sector began to strengthen. The land struggle held in Kerala in 1952 resonated in Karuvarakkundu too, under the leadership of Comrade Kunjali. About 500 people entered the kovilakam land leased by the Parakkottukar, and arrests were made. Today, the employment sector consists only of a few small-scale industries in the private sector, women’s industrial ventures like papad and pickle making, and traditional cottage industries like baskets and winnowing fans. All factors favorable for industrial growth exist in this panchayat. This village has only roads for transportation. The largest rural road in the panchayat is the Iringattiri–Calvary Mount Road. Karuvarakundu Panchayat, a major agricultural region in Malappuram district, lies close to the forest, is filled with hills and mountains, and is a completely sloping area. Mainly rubber, coconut, spices like pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, clove, and also banana, coffee, vegetables, tapioca, cashew, colocasia, yam, and medicinal plants are cultivated. The Western Ghats, located in the southeastern part of the panchayat, stand 1250 meters above sea level. The Olippuzha originates here. The Kallan Puzha also originates at a height of 1050 meters. Karuvarakundu is the catchment area of these two rivers. What enriches Karuvarakundu are its streams. Olippuzha is the main tributary of the Kadalundi River. Surrounded by mountains and hills, among the scenic waterfalls of picturesque Karuvarakundu, Keralamkundu Waterfalls is a place that attracts tourists.Cultural History
Karu means iron ore. The place where iron ore was collected came to be known as Karuvarakkundu. Karuvarakundu is a land with a great cultural heritage. K.T. Manu Musliyar, a respected personality and scholar, was the first person to go abroad and earn a degree. He was also the chief architect of the Najath institutions. Religious institutions, schools, libraries, and clubs have played a significant role in enriching the culture of Karuvarakundu village. There are many temples, mosques, and churches in this village. The first public library in Karuvarakundu was started in 1959. The library established in Tharishil in 1967 later became the N.U.K. Moulavi Memorial Library. The Prathibha Library started in Punnakkad in 1973, the Haji M. Musthafa Kurikkal Memorial Cultural Centre established by Karuvarakundu Grama Panchayat in 1992, the Vidya Library established in Kakkara in 1989, the Navadhara Vayanashala functioning at Kempinkunnu, the Sahridaya Vayanashala at Kuttathi, the People's Library at Kizhakke Thalayil, the Puthanazhi Library, and the Umman Memorial Library at Arimanal are all libraries functioning well. There are 21 educational institutions, 39 anganwadis, and 2 arts colleges here.