Nurungukal…2…contd…

    My first meeting with Ammuchehy was a few days before my marriage. She, accompanied by my sister-in-law made a visit to Ponani to fine tune the formalities of our nuptial ceremony. She was particular about some customary practises, such as offering the Pudava in a Thali etc.. My mother who was well versed with, in the order of events and their relevance while conducting a marriage, purposefully pretended ignorance and agreed to what ever the visitors wished. But she was much impressed by the knowledge of Ammu chechy in such matters. There after when ever we met I used to enjoy her company and took pleasure in gathering  interesting tips, especially in matters connected with Puranas.  

        It was from her I knew about the history of Moopil Nairs of Wayanad. This area was formerly ruled by a dynasty called as Kottayum Rajas of Noth Kerala, before the annexation by the British from Tippu. For the purpose of efficient administration the Raja maintained a number of chieftains at strategic places and they were called as Moopil Nairs and each such families were known as Edom related with the name of the locality viz. Pozhuthana Edom, Kalpetta Edom etc. In those days Pozhuthana was a very strategic location as it was very close to Lakkidy, the gate way to Wayanad on the hills of Western ghats.  The Moopil Nairs of Pozhuthana attained a special status among the close circles of the Raja and were bestowed with great extent of forest and agricultural land. The area was so vast . As a result  the management was difficult and later, during the British rule the family had to part with chunks of their domain to East India Co. on lease under the pretext of development, although the main intention of the Company was to plunder the forest wealth, timber, ivory etc. In due course of time they cleared the forests and shipped logs and logs of wood, especially rose wood which were so huge , beyond any stretch of imagination, to England. The existing road passing through Pozhuthana was made by them mainly to transport the logs to Kozhikode for shipment. The road was then known as Pandimottom road.And once upon a time bullock carts were frequenting this route……cntd…..