History of Grama Panchayat
Socio-Cultural History
Old-timers point to several stories behind the origin of the place name "Pavaratty." The primary story suggests that the weavers who lived here used to use double the usual amount of "Pav" (warp) to weave clothes. Because of this, the place came to be called Paavirattiyulla Sthalam (the place with double warp), which over time was shortened to Pavaratty. Another popular story tells of a woman who used to make and sell bread shaped like a doll (Pava), leading to the name Pavaratty (Pava-Rotti). There is also a belief that because it was a place where poor people lived, it was given the name Pavaratty, which sounds similar to Poverty.
Formerly a part of British Malabar, a guardroom (Kavalpura) used to operate during that era near the Pavaratty Center, where the road extending from Chavakkad to Enamavu passed through. Consequently, Pavaratty Center was known as Kappura (derived from Kavalpura) in the past. Today's Pavaratty Center grew and developed from that old Kappura and its surrounding areas.
In terms of land transport, the first aforementioned route in Pavaratty was a dirt road. Deep streams filled with water and mud, along with sprawling shrublands, were the prominent features of Pavaratty back then. In the past, the majority of the population depended solely on agriculture for their livelihood. Peringattukadavu, a tributary of the waterway connecting Kochi to Ponnani, served as Pavaratty's water transport gateway to the outside world. Freight from Kochi to Pavaratty used to be unloaded through this gateway.
This panchayat stands as a direct example of how deeply education can influence the cultural life of a community. St. Joseph's High School and the Sanskrita Vidyapeetham, both established in the first decade of the twentieth century, along with the Christ King St. Joseph's School started in the 1930s, influenced the psychological development and cultural elevation of the people far more deeply than just the educational and employment sectors of the panchayat.
The contributions of these institutions in developing the cultural and educational fields of Pavaratty are invaluable:
St. Joseph's School, established in 1905 by the St. Thomas Carmelites.
The school founded in 1909 by P.T. Kuriakose Master (known as the lover of Sanskrit), which later transformed into the Sanskrit College.
The school established for girls in 1936 by the Carmelite Nuns of Christ King Convent.
The Venmenad Juma Masjid is believed to be around 650 years old. People of all castes and religions come together to celebrate the Chandrakkudam Nercha festival here. Compared to other panchayats in the Mullassery Block, Pavaratty has a larger population of Christian believers. Since the era of the national movement, several prominent leaders and personalities have emerged from here. Generally, the people here live with a sense of universal brotherhood, free from discrimination based on status.
The Pavaratty Parish Church and the Goventha Church are Christian places of worship that boast antiquity and prominence. A church was first established in Pavaratty in 1876. The foundation stone for the present Goventha Church was laid in 1890. The Pavaratty St. Joseph's Church is famous across India. The renowned Pavaratty Feast, held on the third Sunday after Easter, serves as a crowning example of communal harmony. Transcending boundaries of caste and religion, all the people of Pavaratty turn this festival into a grand national celebration. Devotees visit this festival even from outside Kerala.
Electricity first arrived here in 1958. Today, driven by the influx of Gulf money, a wide diversity of housing can be seen everywhere in Pavaratty, ranging from massive bungalows to budget-friendly, realistic houses, middle-class homes, and huts. Although it cannot be claimed that enough progress has been made in providing houses for the poor and homeless, some efforts have been made in that direction. The colonies in Maruthayur, Painkanniyur, and the 9th ward are notable steps in that path.
Educational History
The construction of the building for St. Joseph's High School, established by the St. Thomas Carmelite Monastery, began on May 18, 1905. It received recognition from the Madras Government on May 6, 1908. Secondary Training classes were started in 1940, followed by Higher Training classes in 1943. The impact of this institution's 100 years of operation has significantly influenced the cultural and educational sectors of the panchayat. A large number of students from neighboring panchayats relied on this institution, and it is a prominent school that has nurtured numerous illustrious personalities.
Pavaratty remains famous to this day for its Sanskrit College, which began as a traditional village school (Nilathezhuthu Vidyalayom) in 1911 and was elevated to a college in 1934. Most Sanskrit scholars and geniuses, both living and deceased, have been associated with this institution in one way or another. It was P.T. Kuriakose Master, known as the Sanskrita Pranayabhajanam (the lover of Sanskrit), who put tireless efforts into the growth of this institution.
The Christ King Convent, started in 1936 for the education of girls, was upgraded to a high school in 1938. Today, this institution continues as a massive high school with over 1,800 students. Pavaratty's educational sector is richly endowed with:
The M.A.S.M. U.P. School, which became the third high school in the panchayat, established by M.K. Muhammad Haji in 1964.
The Government U.P. School established in Maruthayur.
11 Aided L.P. Schools, 2 Unaided Schools, and numerous parallel colleges.
Pavaratty has contributed a vast lineage of highly educated individuals. In December 1955, the then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited St. Joseph's High School. The Teacher Training classes that continued at St. Joseph's High School from 1940 to 1959, the training courses at P.T. Kuriakose Master's school, and the training school started by Christ King Convent in 1940 went a long way in creating an excellent community of teachers in Pavaratty.