Idimuzhikkal or Chelembra is a town in Malappuram district, Kerala, India. Chelembra is the Panchayath (One of the elementary governmental ruling systems in India) and Idimuzhikal is the capital of this Panchayath. Chelembra grama panchayat in the district.
Location
Idimuzhikkal town is technically in Malappuram district but it is considered an extension of the Ramanattukara town of Kozhikode district. It is bordered by Feroke, Pallikkal, Thenjipalam, Vallikunnu, Kondotty and Kadalundi towns. The National Highway 17 transverses this township at Idimuzhikal and Kakkanchery which are three kilometers apart.
Proposed Vallikunnu Municipality
The proposed Vallikunnu Municipality comprises: Vallikunnu panchayat Tenhipalam panchayat Chelembra panchayat
Total Area: 77.18 km2
Total Population (1991 Census): 108,792
History
One of the earliest mention of Chelembra comes from Logans's Malabar manual (P.649). As per this document, Chelembra came under Ramnad as a territory and acknowledged Zamorin as direct ruler.
It is also believed that Chelembra was ruled by local landlords known as Elancheeri Manazhi Moosad who reside at Elancheeri Illam, Perumannassery (Perunneeri) and their "Samantha" (servants) Nambeesans of Thiruvangattu. Thiruvangattu Shiva Temple is an important historic location in this Panchayat. The Embranthiris of Neelamana Illam also were servile to Elancheeri Moosad and assisted them in the administration of the village.
It's believed that these Neelamana Embranthiris were brought to Chelembra by the Manazhi Moosad from the northern districts of Kerala to take care of the rituals and administration of the temples of this village. The Elancheeri Sree Sankara Narayana Kshetram is believed to be constructed for the exclusive use of the members of the Manazhi Family, but later on were given to the public by the Manazhi Moosad. Adv. Anil Moosad is the present lord of the region.
During the time of his father Manazhi Sreedharan Moosad, the Sankara Narayana Temple administration was entrusted with a committee of devotees which was led by Karuthedath Raman Nambeesan, Vasuthodi Neelakantan Nambeesan, Chandran Appat, P P Balakrishnan Master, Radhakrishna Menon and Nellikkode Dasan.
Economy
Idimuzhikkal is one of the main commercial centers of Chelembra. It is also the capital town where the Panchayath office and Village office is located. The economy is mainly agrarian and small business oriented. Eurospin Industries, one of the main industries in Chelembra has stopped operation due to labour strikes. The Kinfra industrial facility is situated in this village which started in early 200s.
Chelembra has witnessed a building boom in recent years, along the sides of two National Highways and a bypass road. This is particularly evident in the number of shopping complexes built in recent years. Chelembra is developing fast with the development of KINFRA industrial park at Kakkanchery by the Kerala Government. This is the first of its kind in the state. Other planned projects include the Cyber park at Ramanattukara. Close proximity to Calicut International Airport, the University of Calicut and two major national highways speeds the development of Chelembra.
Traditional Weavers
Once Idimuzhikkal was known for the traditional weavers of Idimuzhikkal Theru. They spin cotton yarn from the fibre and then made cotton towels and cloth from this yarn. The cotton face towels known locally as "thorthu" was sold throughout the area and in the nearby cities, Kozhikode. The traditional weavers of Idimuzhikkal belonged to a particular community known as Shaliya, Chettiyar, or Padma Shaliya. According to the caste hierarchical system of Kerala, this community was just below the Vishwakarma community of the Hindu religion. They too are a subdivision of the Vishwakarma community. They lived in small communes, called 'theru', and they worshipped Lord Ganapathy as their deity. There are 'theru' in different parts of the state. The main source of income of Idimuzhikkal was from this traditional weaving industry. Some still continue with this profession.
Specially trained carpenters of this region make the weaving machinery, which is called 'thari'.
Politics
People of Chelembra is active in politics also, perhaps Indian Muslim League will be the party which has the largest number of registered members, followed closely by Indian National Congress. Communist (Marxist)Party of India, BJP and other such socio-political parties are also alive here.