Sooranad

Economy

The main employment for men and women of the village is cashew nut processing, which takes place in several factories. There are also workers who manufacture tiles and "country burnt" bricks. In addition, there are people who work as casual laborers.

Schools

There are three Higher Secondary schools: the Government High School of Sooranadu and the Santhinikethan Model High School, and other Upper Primary and Lower Primary Schools provide basic education to both the local students from other administrative subdivisions (taluks).

Celebrities

Padmasri Dr. Sooranad Kunjan Pillai, the renowned poet, writer, and linguistic expert who formulated Malayalam Lexicon, hailed from the area. Barrister N. Padmanabha pillai of Panayamcherril veedu, of vayyankara who was member of Sreemoolam Assembly and Municipal Chairman, Kollam during whose time the clocktower in Kollam was built. Well-known writer and journalist Sri.Gopi Anayadi also from this village and he belongs to Vandematharam veedu near Anayadi bridge.

Nelson Sooranad Nelson is a standup comedian and actor who is active in Malayalam film and television. With 23 years of experience in mimicry, Nelson is known for his talent in entertaining others with witty performance and dialogues. He has acted in films like ‘Small Family’, ‘Spanish Masala’, ‘Romans’, ‘Kutteem Kolum’, ‘Rajadhi Raja’ ‘Adu Oru Bheekara Jeeviyaanu’ and ‘ATM’.

Personal Life Nelson was born as among the five children born to his parents. Nelson credits his sense of humour to his mother Thresyamma. His elder brother Samson, a talented mimicry artist and singer guided him. While studying in std 9, Nelson got first prize in Mimicry (State School Youth Festival) and the Best Actor for his acting brilliance in drama. He continuously got first prizes in mimicry and drama. After completing his degree course, Nelson discontinued his studies due to financial constraints. Nelson is married to Alice, while the couple is blessed with two children; Joseph Martin and Jenifer (Mary).

Acting Career Nelson started his artistic life as an announcer in drama. He got associated with the professional troupe owned by eminent singer Pandalam Balan. He later joined the team led by Kottayam Nazeer. Nelson made his biggest step in television as an anchor (drunkard) of a program in Asianet Plus. His big screen debut was with the film ‘Small Family’. It was Baiju G Melila, the producer of ‘Vodafone Comedy Stars’ who motivated Nelson to participate the biggest reality show for comedians.

Team VIP led by Nelson along with other members Noby, Binu and Kishore entertained the spectators with their witty dialogues and innovative skits. For their effort Team VIP won the grand finale and 25 lakhs worth flat. He was blessed to play a prominent role in the film ‘Spanish Masala’ directed by Lal Jose. With 23 years of mimicry life, Nelson traveled across the globe including countries like Australia, Switzerland, Kenya and Gulf. He acted in films like ‘Bangles’, ‘Black Butterfly’, ‘Kutteem Kolum’, ‘Progress Report’, ‘Ulsaha Committee’, ‘Gods Own Country’, ‘Rajadhi Raja’, ‘Maram Kothi’, ‘Adu Oru Bheekara Jeeviyaanu’ and ‘ATM’. Nelson has recently appeared in the malayali audience through ‘Comedy Super Nite’ aired in Flowers TV.

Geography

A tributary of the Kallada River flows through this village as well as the Pallikkal River. Across this there is a dam that can irrigate about 200 acres (81 ha) of paddy and other summer crops. There are many markets in Sooranad such as Kannamath chandha, Vayyankara chantha, and Parakkadavu chantha.

Temples

There are many temples in Sooranad including Kalarivadukal Temple, Kumaranchira temple, Komalavalleeswaram temple, Anayadi narasimha moorthy temple, Azhakiyakavu sree kurumba kaalli devi temple, Puthiyakavu Temple, kalarivathukkal temple, Sree narayana puram temple and Puthiyidam Krishnaswami temple, Kunniradathu malanada and Ponal Kalari Shree Bhuvaneswari Temple. The last two are under one administration and the former is famous for Anayadi pooram with hundred and odd elephants partaking to decorate the festival. Peedikakkal Dharna Sastha Temple under the Travancore Devaswam Board is located near Pulimoodu Junction. Ennasheri Malanada Temple where Dussasana of the Kauravas is situated at Thekkemuri.Veetinal Devi temple (near parakkadavu ) its situvated near bank of pallikkal river

Festivals

A large elephant festival, the Anayadi Gajamela, takes place at Anayadi Narasimha Moorthy Temple and involves a hundred-odd caparisoned elephants lined up accompanied by a traditional orchestra. The ten-day festival is conducted every year on the Thiruvonam day in the month of Makaram. Devotees offer 250–300 elephants almost every year. The main deity of the temple is Narasimha, the lion-headed incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Anayadi Gajamela has become a favourite with locals and has also found a place on the tourism map. Anayadi Narasimha Moorthy Temple is located on the northern border of Kollam district of which Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts share the boundaries. It is also reachable from Adoor Charummoodu and Sasthamcotta and also via Kayamkulam Punaloor route and traveling south, 17 kilometres (11 mi) from Charummoodu.

Kunnathur Taluk

The following villages are part of Kannathur Taluk: