Kaniyapuram

Economy

Kaniyapuram is one of the fastest developing town in Trivandrum district.The upcoming Technocity on the left side and technopark on the right both of which are 2 km from the town. The National Highway (NH47) passes through Kaniyapuram junction dividing the town into two. The main features of Kaniyapuram are the Bus Stand in the National Highway and Railway Station, which are situated very close to each other. There is no other place in between Trivandrum and Quilon towns with this feature. The KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) bus depot has about 40 buses, originating and terminating from/in Kaniyapuram.This is the only depot which has no fare stage for Fast passenger and Super fast buses. Unfortunately, only a few trains stop at the Kaniyapuram Railway station though efforts are being undertaken to establish stops for some express trains. Proximity to government establishments, business places, educational institutions such as Technopark, Power Grid, CRPF Base, KINFRA Park, LNCPE, University Campus, Marian Engineering College, St. Xavier's College, Teacher's Education College and numerous schools etc. has also put Kaniyapuram on the state maps. At present Kaniyapuram area is one of the most developing areas around Trivandrum city.

History

During personal discussions with yours truly and two prominent personalities of Kaniyapuram, Late Alikunju Sastry, ex-MLA and Late Advocate Izzuddin; they had stated that the name "Kaniyapuram" might have been derived from "Kaniyan Puram - the place of Kaniyans /Ganak- astrologists" or " Kaniyar Puram - the place of Kaniyars - the proponents of Kaniyar Kali , a temple art form" or "Ganika Puram (the place of Ganikas - the courtesans").

The Lebbas are amongst the very prominent clan of Kaniyapuram. According to documented history, the Lebbas migrated from Tamil Nadu in the early 1650s to Kerala. It is believed that they have established in Kaniyapuram as early as the 1650s and established themselves as traders in Kaniyapuram. They were successful merchants and operated almost all the business in Kaniyapuram until recent times.

The Lebbas' main contribution to the Kaniyapuram society is the establishment of The Muslim High School, Kaniyapuram. The school was founded by late S Ahmed Kunju Lebba in 1947. The school had played a major role in the educational and social development of the area. Students from far away places such as Chirayinkil, Perumathura, Kazhakkoottam, Pothencode etc.

It is stated in "Insight" the Bimonthly Journal of Ambedkar Study Circle, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi, that during the early 1900s Dalit Movement, "Walk to Freedom" led by the famous Dalit reformist, Ayyankali, the youngsters got out on the Kaniyapuram streets to win their basic rights; and the Kaniyapuram Dalit farmers did participate in an agrarian strike by not showing up in the paddy fields (1907).

Being surrounded by coconut groves and backwaters, coir and associated industries were aplenty in the yesteryears and considered as the main occupation of Kaniyapuram residents. However, this industry is currently on doldrums and struggling for survival.

Until three decades, water transport was the main mean of goods transportation from Kaniyapuram. Coconuts and coir products were transported to Kollam and Alappuzha from Kaniyapuram, through Parvathi Puthannaar and Kadinam Lake in large covered wooden boats (kettuvallam) and were loaded from the jetties located at Kadavil, Anakkapilla and Channankara.

The water transportation through Parvathi Puthannaar which played a crucial role in the lives of many traders in Kaniyapuram came into disuse after the advent of railways and the National Highways. In 2002 the state Government undertook a dredging and widening project to revitalise the canal to attract tourists.

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