Pothukallu
Grama panchayat

             Pothukallu Grama Panchayat was established on 1st October 2000. The Panchayat was formed by including the underdeveloped areas on the western side of Edakkara and Chungathara Grama Panchayats. Situated on both sides of the Chaliyar River, the Panchayat is a settlement area developed through migration. The fertile soil and the proximity of forests have contributed to the growth of agricultural activities. The easternmost part of the Panchayat is a tribal region. Around 3,000 tribal people live in the Panchayat across approximately 23 colonies. Their lives remain in a highly challenging environment. Since the local population consists of both settlers and indigenous tribal communities, the region faces several issues, especially in the fields of transportation, electricity, housing, and education. The tribal areas are economically backward and poverty-affected regions.

A large rock once stood prominently at a place called Pothukallu in the Chaliyar River, which flows through the central part of the Panchayat. There is a legend that Brahmins lived here in ancient times and conducted religious recitations (“Othu”) on top of this rock, and that the name “Othu Kallu” later became “Pothukallu.”

In 1954, as part of Vinoba Bhave’s Bhoodan Movement, he received more than 1,000 acres of land belonging to the Nilambur Kovilakam as a donation. He handed it over to the Sarvodaya Mandal, which later distributed this land among tribal communities and landless farmers. In Pothukallu Panchayat, the village named Bhoodanam Colony still exists today on the western side of the Chaliyar River.

Pothukallu Grama Panchayat, newly formed in October 2000, was earlier under the control of the Nilambur Kovilakam, where the feudal landlord system prevailed. This social structure existed in the village for a long period. In the 13th century, the Thacharakkavil Eradis who migrated from Nediyiruppu established this Kovilakam. They are mentioned in historical records by various titles such as Thampan, Thirumulpad, and Raja.

The indigenous communities of this region included the Malamuthans, Pathinayakans, and members of the Paniya community. The importance of this village began to grow with the establishment of the Kovilakam. At one time, their domain extended throughout the eastern regions, including the Gudalur Taluk of Tamil Nadu.