Choornikkara
Grama Panchayat

Following the Travancore-Cochin Legislative Assembly Ordinance of 1953, a general election was conducted, and the first democratically elected popular committee came to power in Choornikkara Grama Panchayat. At that time, the entire territories of modern-day Edathala and Choornikkara Panchayats were under the jurisdiction of Choornikkara Panchayat. Although the local body was named Choornikkara, its administrative headquarters was originally located in Edathala. Later, on September 27, 1969, the Edathala region was bifurcated from Choornikkara to form an independent Edathala Panchayat.

Marking the beginning of the industrial transformation of this region, the establishment of an institution called 'Standard Potteries' in 1919 and the subsequent opening of a Lower Primary (LP) school associated with it were among the most notable events of the early part of this century.

Like many other parts of Kerala, this region historically grappled with deep-rooted social evils, including the feudal landlord-tenant (Jenmi-Kudiyan) system, untouchability, and various deep-seated superstitions. Examining the agricultural history of the panchayat, modern-day Choornikkara was fundamentally a rural village that relied on traditional farming methods from the turn of the century until around the 1960s. Rice paddy was the staple agricultural crop. The major paddy clusters (Padasekharams) that formed the backbone of the local economy included Kaithalipadam, Muttathu Puncha, Pallikkeripadam, Pathadu Padam, Kodungodu Padam, and Muthirapadam. During those times, these fields were primarily dedicated to rice cultivation.

When the Standard Potteries company began operations in 1919, an LP school was established specifically to provide an education to the children of the factory workers. This became the very first school in the panchayat.

The local population comprises people belonging to Hindu, Christian, and Muslim religious communities, each maintaining their own traditional places of worship. The early cultural landscape of the panchayat was shaped by several institutions, including the Panchayat Library, prominent theatre groups like Maithri Kalakendram and Pratheeksha, Abhilash Theatre, a few arts and sports clubs, one or two cultural forums, two small libraries, a Janavidya Kendram, and cultural wings functioning under various religious organizations.

While the region boasts a rich heritage of ancient art forms, only Thiruvathirakali and Mudiyattam survive today. Temple festivals and church feasts remain the socio-cultural events celebrated continuously without interruption. This region also witnessed highly successful literacy campaigns, actively driven by institutions like the Navayugam Library in Thaikkattukara and the S.N. Library in Patelipuram, alongside other local reading rooms.

Choornikkara has also birthed a notable number of individuals who have left an indelible mark on the fields of art and culture. Among them, special mention must be made of the renowned artist and architect M.P. Devan, the state-award-winning playwright and director Xavier Pulpaat, and the well-known film director Sandhya Mohan, alongside several other actors, playwrights, and storytellers.