Perinthalmanna

Perinthalmanna is a town and municipality located in the Malappuram district of Kerala, India. It serves as the administrative headquarters of Perinthalmanna taluk and is an important commercial, cultural, and healthcare hub in the region. Situated along National Highway 966, the town provides vital connectivity within the Malabar region and contributes significantly to the district's socio-economic growth.

Perinthalmanna
Municipal town
Perintalmanna
Night view of Perinthalmanna Municipal town
Perinthalmanna Location in Kerala, India Show map of Kerala Perinthalmanna Perinthalmanna (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 10.9765415°N 76.2269231°E / 10.9765415; 76.2269231
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Malappuram
Taluk	Perinthalmanna
Revenue villages	Perintalmanna Pathaikkara
Government
• Type	Municipality
• Body	Perinthalmanna Municipality
• Chairman	P. Shaji (CPI-M)
• Vice Chairperson	Naseera. A
• M.L.A	Najeeb Kanthapuram (UDF)
Area [1]
• Total	34.41 km2 (13.29 sq mi)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	49,723
• Density	1,400/km2 (3,700/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	679322
Telephone code	04933
Vehicle registration	KL-53
State Assembly Constituency	Perinthalmanna
Lok Sabha Constituency	Malappuram
Website	www.perinthalmannamunicipality.lsgkerala.gov.in

Etymology

The name Perinthalmanna is believed to originate from the Malayalam words "Perum" (big), "thal" or "thallu" (fight or combat), and "manna" (land or place), meaning "land of great fights." This reflects the town’s historical role as a center of martial traditions and its significance as the headquarters of the Valluvanad kingdom, which was known for its warrior culture.

History

Perinthalmanna has historically been an important administrative and cultural center in the Malabar region of Kerala. It was part of the Valluvanad feudal state, which played a significant role in the region’s political and cultural history. The rulers of Valluvanad, known as the Valluvakonathiris, governed the territory from key centers like Angadipuram and Perinthalmanna. Valluvanad was noted for its local governance, social customs, and regional festivals.

Geographical map of the Malabar region including Valluvanad

During British colonial rule, Perinthalmanna served as the headquarters of Valluvanad Taluk in the Malabar District. Following Indian independence and the formation of Kerala state in 1956, Perinthalmanna became part of the Malappuram district.

The town was initially governed as a Grama Panchayat from 1933 and was upgraded to a municipality on 10 February 1990. Since then, Perinthalmanna has grown into a significant commercial, cultural, and healthcare hub in the region.

Geography and Climate

Located in the Malappuram district of Kerala, India, Perinthalmanna sits at an average elevation of about 57 meters (187 feet) above sea level. The town lies near Kodikuthimala, a hill station known locally for its natural beauty and pleasant climate. Kodikuthimala is part of the gentle hills forming the foothills of the Western Ghats.

Kodikuthimala, Malappuram. Source: Wikipedia:Kodikuthimala

The region experiences a tropical monsoon climate, characterized by hot, humid summers and a heavy monsoon season from June to September. This climate, combined with fertile soil, supports the cultivation of crops such as paddy, coconut, and spices.

Kodikuthimala enhances the area's natural landscape and biodiversity, while the surrounding farmland plays an important role in the local economy.

Perinthalmanna’s location among hills and plains, along with good road and rail connectivity, makes it an important gateway connecting Malabar to the central and southern regions of Kerala.

Demographics

Religion in Perinthalmanna (2011)^[2]

1. Islam (58.5%)
2. Hinduism (38.4%)
3. Christianity (2.97%)
4. Other (0.11%)

The population of Perinthalmanna was 49,723 as of the 2011 census.^[1] Males constituted 47.3% and females 52.7%.^[1] Malayalam is the most spoken language in the town. Perinthalmanna has been a multi-ethnic and multi-religious town since the early medieval period. Muslims form the largest religious group, followed by Hindus and Christians.^[2] The municipality of Perinthalmanna has an average literacy rate of 95.3%, which is higher than the state average of 94.0%.^[1]

Civic administration

Perinthalmanna Municipality

The town is administered by the Perinthalmanna Municipality, headed by a chairperson. For administrative purposes, the municipality is divided into 34 wards,^[3] from each of which members of the municipal council are elected for five years. As of 2011 India census, Perinthalmanna Municipal Region had a population of 49,723 spreading an area of 34 sq.km. The municipal area is divided into 34 administration wards. These wards are:^[4]

1. Cheerattamanna
2. Manathumangalam
3. Kakkooth
4. Valiyangadi
5. Kulirmala
6. Chembankunnu
7. Kumaramkulam
8. Laksham Veedu
9. Idukkumugham
10. Manazhi Stand
11. Panjama
12. Kuttippara
13. Manappadi
14. Pathaikkara UP School
15. Kovilakampadi
16. Olingara
17. Kizhakkekara
18. Thekkekara
19. Anathanam
20. Padinjarekara
21. Kunnappalli South
22. Kalathilakkara
23. Marukara Parambu
24. Valayam Moochi
25. Asarikkara
26. Thottakkara
27. J N Road
28. J N Road Central
29. Thekkinkode
30. Kavungal Parambu
31. Puthur
32. Sangeetha
33. Aalikkal
34. Lemon Valley

Perinthalmanna Municipality election 2020

S.No.[5]	Party name	Party symbol	Number of councillors
01	LDF		17
02	UDF		09
03	Independents		08

Law and order

The municipality comes under the jurisdiction of the Perinthalmanna Police Station, which was formed on 1 September 1988.^[6] The station has the jurisdiction over the revenue villages of Perinthalmanna, Pathaikara, Angadipuram, Elamkulam, Aliparamba, Anamangad, Arakkuparamba, Thazhekode, and parts of Pulamantol and Valambur.^[6]

The border police stations are headquartered at Kolathur, Mankada, Melattur, Koppam, Nattukal and Cherpulassery.^[6]

Perinthalmanna is also the headquarters for one of the six subdivisions of Malappuram District Police.^[7] The police stations at Perinthalmanna, Kolathur, Mankada, Melattur, Pandikkad, and Karuvarakundu come under the jurisdiction of the Perinthalmanna subdivision.^[7] Perinthalmanna Traffic Enforcement Unit also comes under the subdivision.^[7]

Courts

The court complex at Perinthalmanna has the following courts:

• Judicial First Class Magistrate Court II, Perinthalmanna
• Munsiff Magistrate Court, Perinthalmanna
• Fast Track Special Court (POCSO)

Elected representatives

Main articles: Perinthalmanna Assembly constituency and Malappuram Lok Sabha constituency

Perinthalmanna assembly constituency consists Perinthalmanna Municipality and surrounding panchayats of Melattur, Vettathoor, Thazhekkode, Aliparamba, Elamkulam and Pulamanthole. It is part of the Malappuram Lok Sabha constituency. The current MLA, Najeeb Kanthapuram, and MP, Abdussamad Samadani, are from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), respectively.^[8]

MLA of Perinthalmanna
Incumbent Najeeb Kanthapuram (IUML) since 2021
Member of	Kerala Legislative Assembly
Precursor	Manjalamkuzhi Ali
First holder	P. Govindan Nambiar

Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha)
Incumbent M. P. Abdussamad Samadani (IUML) since 2021
Abbreviation	MP
Member of	Parliament of India (Loksabha)

Nearby places

Neighbourhoods

Source:^[9]

• Valiyangadi
• Cheerattamanna
• Manathumangalam
• Kakkooth
• Ponniakurussi
• Pathaikkara
• Jubilee
• Kunnappally
• Eravimangalam
• Olinkara

Towns and villages

• Angadipuram (2.8 km)
• Chungam, Pattikkad (4.7 km)
• Kolathur (12 KM)
• Anamangad (7.7 km)
• Elamkulam (9.2 km)
• Valambur (8.4 km)
• Thazhekkode (10 km)
• Vettathur (12 km)
• Melattur (12 km)
• Keezhattur (11 km)
• Pulamanthole (12 km)
• Aliparamba (15 km)

Notable people

• Manjalamkuzhi Ali – the current MLA from the constituency
• Vinay Govind – film director
• Paloli Mohammed Kutty – politician and social worker
• K. P. A. Majeed – former Chief Whip of the Government of Kerala
• Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair
• Poonthanam Nambudiri – author of the poem Njanappana
• Mersheena Neenu – actress
• Neralattu Rama Poduval
• Melattur Sahadevan – Carnatic music vocalist
• V. Sasikumar – politician and union leader
• Nalakath Soopy – MLA for 26 years from 1980 to 2006 and former Minister for Education
• P. Sreeramakrishnan – former Speaker of the Kerala Legislature
• Vazhenkada Vijayan – retired principal of Kerala Kalamandalam

Perinthalmanna Block

Perinthalmanna Block Panchayat is the rural local body responsible for the block-level administration of the following Gram panchayats:^[10]

• Aliparamba
• Angadipuram
• Elamkulam
• Keezhattur
• Melattur
• Pulamantol
• Thazhekode
• Vettathur

Perinthalmanna Block Panchayat is divided into 17 divisions, with each member elected from a division. The divisions are as follows:^[11]

Ward no.	Name	Ward no.	Name
1	Nenmini	10	Kunnakkavu
2	Chemmaniyode	11	Elamkulam
3	Melattur	12	Pulamanthole
4	Karyavattoom	13	Kuruvambalam
5	Vettathoor	14	Pariyapuram
6	Arakkuparamba	15	Thirurkkad
7	Thazhekkode	16	Angadippuram
8	Aliparamba	17	Pattikkad
9	Anamangadu

Transport

Perinthalmanna is well connected by roads, railways, and air travel, making it an important town in the Malappuram district.

Roads

National Highway 966 (NH 966) passes through Perinthalmanna, linking Kozhikode and Palakkad. The town is also connected by several state highways:

• State Highway 23 (SH 23) connects Perinthalmanna to Shoranur.
• State Highway 39 (SH 39) connects Perinthalmanna to Nilambur and Perumbilavu.
• State Highway 53 (SH 53) connects Perinthalmanna to Mundur.
• State Highway 73 (SH 73) runs from Valanchery to Nilambur through Perinthalmanna.

Perinthalmanna has a KSRTC depot that operates state-run buses connecting the town to various parts of Kerala. In addition, a private bus stand serves many private bus operators, facilitating regional and inter-district travel.

Railway

Angadippuram Railway Station, near Perinthalmanna

Perinthalmanna does not have its own railway station, but the nearby Angadipuram Railway Station is located about 2.5 kilometers away. It lies on the Nilambur–Shoranur line and connects Perinthalmanna to nearby towns. For longer journeys, travelers use Shoranur Junction Railway Station, approximately 22 kilometers away, which provides access to trains bound for many major cities.

Air

The closest airport is Calicut International Airport, about 50 kilometers from Perinthalmanna. The airport has flights to many cities in India and abroad.

These transport options make Perinthalmanna easy to reach and important for travel and trade in the region.