Karimpuzha
Grama Panchayat

Karimbuzha Grama Panchayat is located within the Sreekrishnapuram Block of Ottapalam Taluk in Palakkad district. Spanning an area of ​​47.39 square kilometers, the panchayat is bordered by the Thachanattukara, Kottoppadam, and Kumaramputhur panchayats and the Churiyode River to the north; Karakurussi Panchayat to the east; the Cherupuzha and Karimbuzha rivers to the south; and Thachanattukara Panchayat to the west. The Kuntipuzha River originates in Silent Valley; the Nellippuzha (flowing from Manthampotti) and the Churiyode River (flowing from Kanjirapuzha) join it at Changaleeri, while the Thuppanadupuzha (flowing from Meenvallam) joins at Kuttilakkadavu. During the monsoon season, the waters of these converging rivers flow in distinct colors along the riverbanks. Elders named the area "Karimbuzha" (meaning "Black River") after the stretch where the dark-colored water flowed. Karimbuzha Grama Panchayat is blessed by the Karimbuzha (also known as Thutapuzha), Cherupuzha, and Thumbakkannapuzha rivers. The panchayat is a gift of nature, harmoniously blending the pristine purity of the Kuntipuzha River with a rich cultural heritage. Historically, Karimbuzha served as the seat of the *Eralppad Raja*—the immediate heir-apparent to the Zamorin kings who ruled Malabar from their headquarters in Kozhikode. This forms the backdrop of Karimbuzha's cultural richness. Karimbuzha is one of the few panchayats in Kerala that has served as the stage for numerous historic events of great pride.

During the reign of the Zamorin, the administrative responsibility for this region was entrusted to the *Eralppad*, whose headquarters was also located in Karimbuzha. It was customary for a group of three hundred men—comprising a leader and 299 military commanders—to welcome the newly appointed *Eralppad* at the present-day Adaykkaputhur Junction and escort him to Karimbuzha; they were known as the "Three Hundred Warriors." The *Eralppad* made his final ceremonial journey to Karimbuzha in the Malayalam year 1090. Initially, the *Thampurans* (chieftains) would entrust land to others through a verbal declaration known as *Poovum Neerum Kodukkal* (literally, the offering of flowers and water), specifying the boundaries of the granted territory. Later, this practice shifted to written agreements on palm-leaf manuscripts. It was during this period that Tipu Sultan arrived in the region. That era also marked the introduction of the *Indu-I* system of land accounting. The British land survey took place in 1900; the process involved surveying and subdividing land based on actual possession, resulting in the issuance of a *Pattaya-prathi* (title deed). The *Adangal* (land register) and *Appendix* systems were introduced subsequently. Karimbuzha is also said to have been the headquarters of the *Sthani Nairs* of Nedunganad. The administrative office (*Kacheri*) was once located in Cherpulassery, which is why the specific site there is still known as "Kacherikunnu" (Kacheri Hill). The Panchayat was reorganized into two villages—Karimbuzha 1 and Karimbuzha 2—in 1961; prior to that, it comprised three administrative units known as *Amshams*: Elambulassery, Karimbuzha, and Kulikkiliyad. Karimbuzha is a Panchayat with distinct geographical features. Comprising Karimbuzha 1 (bordered by the river on two sides) and Karimbuzha 2 (bordered on three sides), the region is primarily an agricultural area. The terrain features rocky outcrops scattered across the hilltop, with rubber plantations covering the majority of the land. However, a small paddy field spanning approximately ten acres—where three crops of rice are harvested annually—exists atop this hill. The soil is rich, dark, and loamy, supporting excellent yields of rubber, coconut, and paddy. Crops such as paddy, plantain, elephant foot yam, ginger, and various vegetables are cultivated in the valleys below the highlands, while rubber dominates the sloping terrains. This Panchayat has the highest concentration of rubber cultivation within the Ottapalam Taluk. The Karimbuzha River—formed by the confluence of the Churiyodu, Nellippuzha, Thuppanad, and Kanthi rivers—serves as the primary water source. The festival at Karimbuzha Sriramaswamy Temple, the Bharani festival at Kottappuram Thiruvilayanattukavu, and the Pooram at Elampulassery Nalissirikavu are the major festivals in the panchayat. Kuttilakkadavu Palli is one of the oldest places of worship for the Muslim community here. The Thottara Nercha is a renowned event. Local art forms such as Pootham, Thira, Kummatti, Kolkali, Parichamuttukali, and Dafmuttukali are practiced here. The late Karimbuzha Ramakrishnan, a figure unforgettable to the literary world, is a source of cultural pride for this panchayat; it is also the birthplace of the young poet Karimbuzha Ramachandran. Other luminaries who have brought renown to the panchayat include Thekkedath Sankunni Pothuval (unparalleled in Kathakali music), Chemmarath Achutha Pothuval (an expert in Thayambaka), Naduvil Gopi Pothuval (a distinguished figure in theatre), and Karimbuzha Krishna Pothuval (a scholar of astrology and a virtuoso of the Mridangam and Idakka).