Localbody History
Madavoor Grama Panchayat is located in Koduvally Block of Kozhikode Taluk in Kozhikode district. The old landlord-feudal system prevailed here in the early days. Ritualistic arts of this region like Kalamezhuthu Pattu, Nagappattu, Thottampattu, and Theyyattu, along with Pattulsavam and Thira held in temples and sacred groves, and folk art forms like Ayyappanpattu, Mappilappattu, Duffmuttu, and Kolkkali have played a major role in shaping its cultural landscape. Vellari Natakams, staged in the fields after the Makaram harvest, are considered the roots of theater art in this region. Church festivals celebrated in the settler areas and offerings (Nerchas) like Avuppattu Nercha in Muslim places of worship represent excellent traditions of religious harmony. This region has already attracted national attention in the agricultural sector as well. While Thalappanthukali was the main sport in the early days, today the region is advancing in sports like volleyball, football, basketball, and cricket.
Elders say that during Tipu Sultan's military campaigns, soldiers who came from Wayanad via Thamarassery passed through Madavoor. The ruins of many destroyed temples serve as evidence for this. Therefore, it is understood that this region was inhabited even in the 19th century. Landlords provided land to the locals on a lease (Pattam) basis. The practice of paying the lease rent either as produce or in cash existed. Land was given through 'Kaanadharam' (a tenancy deed) based on this system. Tenants used to present the lease rent and other customary gifts to the landlords during special occasions. Landlords, in return, would give back items like rice and pappadam. Those who defaulted on their lease rent were evicted from the agricultural land and given new forest land for cultivation. The price of the new forest land ranged from ₹5 to ₹50.
The agents (Nadavaans) of the landlords were responsible for collecting the lease rent. From the early 1920s, land began to be transferred to intermediary landlords. The severe poverty and economic depression in the Travancore region related to the Second World War led to a large-scale migration of farmers to the Malabar region. Driven by the miseries of war, where even palm porridge was unavailable, the farmers began their migration with a strong desire to cultivate paddy.