Peroor

Demographics

As of 2011, Peroor had a population of 18,691 with 4,583 families.

All major Kerala religious communities are represented within the village. In 2011, literacy rate of Peroor village was 97.82 %. The Christian Church of South India (CSI), Jacobites and Catholics are all well represented. Hindu groups include the Nair and the Ezhava as the predominant groups. The Muslim population is relatively new to the area; a Muslim colony was established in Peroor around 1998-99 near the MHC and Kariyattappuzha Colony regions. The Dalits are the other major population and, like other urban areas of Kerala, Dalits in Peroor lead a middle-class life. Much of the population is educated and cultured.

The labor market is currently dominated by the construction industry.

Landmarks

Notable sites in Peroor include: the St. Sebastian Church, the Global Marthasmooni Pilgrim Center, the Peroor Kavu (temple), the Chalakkal Temple, and the Arayiram Temple. The famous Ettumanooor Aarattu is performed here and ODESA (Organization for Dalit Empowerment and Social Activation) is located in Peroor. The River Meenachil flows through the eastern part of the village. The Bhadrakali temple in this village is called Peroorkavu. There is also a Christian seminary at Mannamala, a hilltop in Peroor. It is believed that the tribal community "Mannan" settled there. Later this Mannamala was in custody of the Vellappally family and they donated their 96-acres to the monastery. Kandanchirakkavala (Kandanchira junction) is considering as the center of Peroor. The local banks are Peroor Service Co-op and State Bank of India.

Etymology

The name "kandanchira" comes from an incident that happened many years ago. There is a part of the vast 'Mundakappadam" (mundakan paddy field) in the area and a 'chira' (small, mud/sand check-dam) to prevent the rain water from Mannamala and other nearby sources from potentially destroying the paddy cultivation of the 'mundakappadam.' The chira was made of mud from the paddy field. One night some members of the upper caste killed a 'pulaya' (which is considered an untouchable caste) named "Kandan" due to a coal rivalry; the man was buried alive in the chira. Others found the body a while later, but, because of the culprits social status, none protested. Following the incident, the 'chira' which served as the burial site was labeled with the prefix 'kandan,' thus becoming 'Kandanchira.'

Notable people

Notable residents of Peroor include V.D. Rajappan, the 'father of parody' in Kerala, adn artists such as Jyaprakash aka JP (violin), Aneesh (vocal), Santhosh aka Vaishakhan (painting and drawing), and Jayakumar Parady (composer; lyrics and guitar).