Vengara, The Land of Theyyam

Protected by Ezhimala and Madaippara, the Village Vengara has witnessed many historical events. Ezhimala was the Capital of ancient Ezhimala Kindgom and now this place the Head Quarters of the proposed Naval Academy (The biggest one in its kind in Asia). The history reveals that Tipu Sultan, the Lion of Mysor has passed through this place during his battle forward to Kerala. He attacked ‘Madaikkavu’ and ‘Vadukunda Temples’ located on nearby hill Madayippara, for the sole object of looting the enormous wealth kept in those places. Still the remains of a fort belongs to Tipu lying on Madayippara. He made a canal between Payangadi River and Moolakkeel River, called ‘Sultan Thodu’ (Sultan Canal) for the easy movement of cargo. Now, this canal has an important role to do with the proposed ‘Malabar Tourism Promotion Program.’ Historians say that once this place was a part of Arabian Sea hundreds of years ago. When the sea withdrew at last, there remained sandy land which people called ‘Ven Kara’ (White land in local tongue). Later ‘Ven Kara’ became Vengara by use.

Now this beautiful village is embraced by environmental problem from Kerala Clays and Ceramic Products Ltd. (KCCP), a partly undertaking of Govt. of Kerala. Kerala Clays Ceramic Company was started south-west-end of famous Madayippara by taking land on lease from Chirakal Kovilakam Devasom and excavated almost all the area within 20 to 30 years by destroying surrounding places spreading poisonous water to nearby wells. Now this company instead of closing still continuing mining using sophisticated modern machines such as Crane, Bulldozer etc and with high explosives for blasting top-level rocks. The emerging threat from mining is that while continuing very high level blasting, in near future the very famous lake of Sree Vadukunda Siva Temple will vanish from Hill top of Madayippara which is very useful to people of this area as well as birds and animals. Now this excavation is carrying out just 80 to 100 meters away from Vadukunda Lake and 100 to 150 meters away from Vadukunda Siva Temple. Mining within limit is totally against the law. The people this area are conducting agitation against the illegal mining of Clay Company since last 7 years but lack political support the every effort to stop this mining became fruitless. As a part of agitation famous environmentalists Meda Padkkar, Sugatha Kumari and Surendra Nath are visited this place and given support to us. Seeing the latest status of mining one can image the exact threat facing this tiny village of North Kerala. It is time think over whether we want to continue this mining for foodding around 160 families in the village or stop this mining for allowing 1000 of families to live peacefully?

Though there are some small-scale industries, the main incomes of the people are from agriculture. Coconut and paddy are the main crops. Cashew nuts, Areca nuts and vegetables are also cultivated widely. Large number of N.R.I’s especially in Gulf Countries has changed the infrastructure of the village and helped people to have a high living standard. But the concept of ‘Nuclear Family’ has taken its tall in the society and made way for new habitats and houses at the expense of agricultural lands now.