Edayar

Etymology

The name Edayar came from two words in Malayalam. "Eda" in Malayalam means in-between and "Aar" means a small river. A small stream which is part of a tributary to Periyar River is passing through this village. This water stream was the life line of this small village. The water from this stream was used for agriculture and all other domestic uses by the villagers.

The main occupation of the people is agriculture. Rubber, Coconut, vegetables, Pineapple and Paddy are the main crops cultivated in the village. Meats products of India (MPI) which a public sector unit is situated in this village.

The village has a primary school (L.P.S. Edayar) which is run by the State Government of Kerala, and an upper primary school (Jawahar U.P.S.), under private ownership are the only educational institutions in the village. The villages depend on St. Johns High School, Vadakara and Govt. High School Namakuzhy situated at a distance of about 3 km from the village for their children's high school education. These two high schools uses both Malayalam and English as the medium of education. People are depend on nearby towns and cities for their higher education. In spite of that short comings the people of this village are fully literate. Perhaps every house in the village can proudly say that there is at least one graduate in every family.

Religion

The majority of the people consist of two communities namely Jacobite Syrian Christians and Ezhavas a prominent community of Hindus. They live in absolute harmony. St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church, Kunnathu Mahadeva temple and Siva temple are situated in the village. St Mary's Church has celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2008. This church was built in 1908 and its architecture based on traditional Thach Sastra.

Geography

The central areas of this village are Kaniyalippady, Pallippaday, Peedikappady, Uzhalakkadu and Kollanpady. This is because of the main road connecting the nearby two towns Koothattukulam and Piravom, is passing through these regions. Among these, the oldest and famous one is Pallippaday. "Uzhavoor thodu" is crossing the main road here and this stream is the basic root of the name of this village. Post office, Milma (Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation KCMMF), Rubber Marketing Society (State Co-operative Rubber Marketing Federation Limited.), St. Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Church, Sree Narayana Guru Temple (SNDP temple), and both schools are situated here. Geographically upper placed Peedikappady is having the Library, Mahadeva and Siva temples and a small clinic. Uzhalakkadu, a fast-growing area of Edayar with the support of MPI and other commercial establishments. EPHANS Club is the cultural corner here; evenings of here are flourishing with youths. The club offered and started by the merchant association of Uzhalakkadu in 1980(?). "Chathayam Naal" (the last day of Onam) and anniversaries of the club are celebrated with lots of cultural events.

Grameena Vayanasala

Edayar Grameena Vayanasala, is one of the "Grade A" public libraries in Kerala and the heart of the village. It is affiliated to Kerala State Library Council and has a collection of more than 12,000 books on various subjects.

It was established earlier in 1924 as “Martha Mariyam Vayanasala” in St. Mary’s Jacobite Church with a good collection of books and opened for all public. After a few years, with the support of the people in Edayar, library owned about half acres of land in Peedikappady and constructed a new building with memorial hall, reading and circulation rooms and an independent office. A vast play ground with an open air auditorium served several cultural events happened through many years in this village.

Apart from revenues from members, the library receives a government grant form the Kerala State Government. It includes a good amount for purchasing new books and other library activities. Library also gets grants from the local punchayat and different government sources. Around 500 new books are adding every year to the existing collection.

Library organizing social programs such as Nursery school, /Saksharatha Kendram (Adult literacy center) and a Kung fu Training Center. Various programs sponsored by local and government agencies are also hosted and held here.

The major event celebrate here is Thiruvonam. On the day library organize different cultural programs and celebrate Onam with the entire people in Edayar. Library has an Administration Committee of 10 members for a period of 2 years(?), elected by the library members. Election procedures are equal to a basic Indian election method and the candidates are among the library members, may be from different political groups. Youngsters of Edayar commonly active in election and do the administration of library.

In 2001 library has celebrated its Platinum Jubilee with lots of events and opened a Platinum Jubilee Mandiram as a new recreation building.

Politics

The major political parties in this village are United Democratic Front (UDF—led by the Indian National Congress) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF—led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI (M)).