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Kottarakkara

Kottarakkara (IAST: Koṭṭārakkara), also transliterated as Kottarakara, is a town and municipality in the Kollam district of Kerala, India. Kottarakkara lies to the east of Kollam city centre.

Tourist attractions

  • Kottarakkara Sree Mahaganapathy Temple – a famous pilgrimage centre known for its Ganapathi idol and the tradition of offering unniyappam as prasadam.
  • Kottarakkara Palace – historic palace associated with the royal family of Kottarakkara and closely linked to the origin of Kathakali.

Culture

Kottarakkara is regarded as the birthplace of Kathakali, the classical dance-drama of Kerala. The art form is believed to have originated in the 17th century when Prince Kottarakkara Thampuran composed several plays and developed it as an alternative to Krishnattam of Guruvayur. Kathakali later evolved into one of the major cultural symbols of Kerala.

History

Kottarakkara, also known in the ancient days of the kings as the Elayadathu Swarupam, was a principality ruled by a branch of the Travancore Royal Family, later the kingdom collapsed and some elite Nair royals settled in the Thrikkannamangal region of Kottarakkara. It is the home of Kathakali, a well known dance drama which originated initially as Ramanattam created in the 17th century by Prince Kottarakkara Thampuran and later patronized by the Raja of Kottarakkara in the early 19th century absorbing other dance forms of Krishnanattam with further innovations.

Etymology

Kottarakkara, is a compound word made up of the words Kottaram, meaning "palace", and kara meaning "land", literally means "land of palaces". The area which had several palaces was thus named "Kottarakkara."

Geography

Kottarakkara is a small municipality and taluk headquarters, close to Kollam. The taluk has six panchayats and other small towns. It is surrounded by several other towns.

Towns and villages in Kottarakara Taluk

According to the Kollam district website, there are 27 villages in Kottarakara Taluk. These are:-

Climate

Politics

Kottarakara Assembly Constituency is one among the 11 assembly constituencies in Kollam district. K. N. Balagopal is the present MLA from Kottarakkara constituency. Kottarakkara comes under Mavelikkara (Lok Sabha constituency)(previously it was in Adoor Loksabha constituency) that represents a large area including Kottarakkara, Mavelikkara, Changanasseri, spread in Kollam, Alappuzha and Kottayam districts.

E Chandrasekaran Nair (CPI), D.Damodaran Potti (PSP), R.Balakrishna Pillai (Kerala Congress), E.Chandrasekaran Nair (CPI), C.Achutha Menon (CPI), Kottara Gopalakrishnan (INC) and R.Balakrishna Pillai (Kerala Congress - B),P. Aisha Potty (CPM) are the former elected members represented Kottarakara Assembly Constituency in the past.

Notable people

Schools and Colleges

References

Further reading

  • Parankamveettil; An ancient Christian Family based from Aippalloor spreads areas at Kizhakketheruvu, Chengamanadu, Kottarakara, Elampal, Ayoor etc. was Engaged in Agricultural Production, Tradings, Religious, Social and Cultural activities. Parankamveettil, 129. ISBN 978-81-7276-363-3.
  • K. Ayyappapanicker; Sahitya Akademi (1997). Medieval Indian literature: an anthology. Sahitya Akademi. pp. 317–. .
  • M. O. Koshy (1989). The Dutch power in Kerala, 1729–1758. Mittal Publications. pp. 64–. .
  • K. Srikumaran (1 January 2005). Theerthayathra: a pilgrimage through various temples. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. p. 129. .

External links