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Vattiyoorkavu chronicle
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A historic meeting of the State Congress was convened in 1938 at Vattiyoorkavu
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The memorial stone that marks the meeting of the State Congress in 1938 at Vattiyoorkavu
VATTIYOORKAVU IS a fairly extensive area on the north-eastern periphery of the city. It is one of the numerous places in Thiruvananthapuram whose topography has undergone obtrusive change over the years. It is also one of the regions through which the river Killiyaar flows.
The name, Vattiyoorkavu, continues to intrigue toponomists as no conclusive theory about its origin has been arrived at. For instance, vatti in old Malayalam denotes the interest accrued on money that is lent. It also implies a winding hilly tract. And if one accepts that the term, kavu, denotes a way or path, Vattiyoorkavu can be inferred to mean a hilly place that is intersected by a pathway.
One of the most prominent landmarks of modern Vattiyoorkavu is the Government Polytechnic, an institution that is the alma mater of scores of Malayalis who have gone to the Gulf countries to seek their fortunes.
State Congress
Vattiyoorkavu has a prominent place in the political map of the State. It was here that a historic meeting of the State Congress was convened on December 22, 1938. (The Indian National Congress was known in Travancore during the pre-independence days as the State Congress.)
Notwithstanding the arrest of A. Narayana Pillai who was to preside over the meeting and despite the strict prohibitory orders issued by the Dewan, Sir C. P. Ramaswami Aiyer, against organising such meetings, numerous volunteers had come forward to hold the meeting as scheduled. The speakers included many freedom fighters such as G. Chandrasekhara Pillai, Balaramapuram G. Raman Pillai, Pettayil Karunakaran, N. Bhaskaran Nair, Paruthipalli Achuthan, Ponkunnam Pachu Pillai and Vazhayil Kunju.
The meeting was held at the open grounds to the south of the present campus of the polytechnic. It was presided over by A. Kunjan Nadar. Although the Dewan used force to disperse the crowd, it was truly a test of the mettle of the valiant freedom fighters. Today, a memorial stone marks this historic site.
In the 18th century, during the reign of Maharaja Marthanda Varma, extensive renovations were carried out at the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple. It is said that his nephew, Crown Prince Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma, sojourned at Vattiyoorkavu to supervise the quarrying of stones from nearby Kulasekharam for construction at the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
Vattiyoorkavu is also close to Nettayam where a small ashramam of Sri Ramakrishna Mission was opened by Swami Brahmananda in 1916. In 1924, this hermitage was expanded by Swami Nirmalananda (Tulsi Maharaj), one of the direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
The Chamundi Temple at Thozhuvancode, Sastha Temple and Juma Masjid are the old places of worship here. The Juma Masjid is an impressive structure. This mosque was built by the successors of the Muslim Cavalry soldiers of the Nair Brigade of Travancore, who had settled in Sasthamangalam and Vattiyoorkavu.
Places such as Konni and Kachani on the periphery of Vattiyoorkavu were known for being remote and backward, so much so that it became proverbial with city dwellers to refer to unsophisticated people as coming from Konni and Kachani. Today, all these places are being swept by the winds of development.
The well-known dancer of yesteryear, Guru Gopinath, was a resident of Vattiyoorkavu. He had set up a dance academy, Viswa Kala Kendra, here in the 1960s. This centre was renamed the Nadana Gramam and now has been adopted by the State's Cultural Department. Guru Gopinath played an important role in promoting the indigenous dance form, Kerala Nadanam. Guru Gopinath's wife, Thankamoni Gopinath, and daughters, Vasanti, Vilasini and Vinodini, made their mark in dancing and acting. Vilasini and Vinodini were popular child artists who acted in mythological films such as `Guruvayoorappan' and Bhakthakuchela'.
Prominent personalities such as Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Thennala Balakrishna Pillai, actor Nedumudi Venu and director K. P. Kumaran also live here.
M. G. SASIBHOOSHAN & BINDU SASIBHOOSHAN
Photo: S. Mahinsha
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