Pallam

Pallam (Pallom), is a small village in the Kottayam district of Kerala state, south India. It is near Kottayam town. St. Paul's Orthodox Church, which has a history of over 150 years, St. John the Baptist CSI Church with its unique architecture (may be influenced by the leanings of the Orthodox Syrian Christians who joined the newly found CMS Church), St. Ignatius JSO Church, and St. Andrew's CSI Church and [Valiyaveettil Devi Temple] , Pakkil Sasta Temple (believed to have been consecrated by Parasurama] are the major attractions of Pallam. The Thiruvarpu temple is also located nearby. This is the place where one of the earliest schools were set up in Kerala, CMS Middle school (Currently CMS Higher Secondary School) and the Buchanan Institutions started by Henry Baker. The Buchanan Teacher Training School helped a lot in the spread of education, especially among the lower echelons of society, through the dedicated teachers trained there. The region benefited a lot from the early exposure to English education and the first graduate in Kerala is supposed to belong to this village.

When Electricity generation started in the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin State the first power house was set up in Pallam. The first stretch of HT transmission lines also passed through this village (Pallivasal to Pallam and then on to Kundara).

This village also housed the famous Toddy Shop "Karimpumkala Toddy Shop". Toddy is the sap of coconut (palm) tree, a healthy drink which can become heady when fermented. It was the common man's drink but the Shop was more famous for its fish, beef, shrimp and chicken preparations which were consumed along with Kappa (tapioca-a root vegetable).The blue "fresh water shrimp" is a real delicacy here.

Syrians Christians have a significant presence here. They seem to have come to Pallam after the arrival of the Pallam Royal family. They got the "Edathumpadikal family" - which literally means resident of the left gate of the Palace - to come and settle there to purify the oil bought from the market- those days Syrian Christians were appointed to act as the comptrollers and purchase agents of royal house holds with a mythical ability to touch and purify oil. "Parekadavil family" is also another ancient Syrian Christian family at Pallam. These families are believed to be the branch of descendants of the first four Brahmin families who believed the Gospel and embraced Christianity preached by Saint Thomas who was one of the twelve disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Shri. Haley Mathew, son of Kallooparambil Mathachan, a pioneering planter was a great patron of "Vallom Kali" - The native boat race. "Kallooparamban" snake boat has won many a laurel in boat races such as "Nehru Trophy" boat race, etc.

There are several government offices in the village and is the heart of electrical distribution system of KSEB. Also it is rich with greenery of paddy fields.

The "State Highway M.C. Road" runs through the village. Most "State Corporation" buses use this route. The main junctions on this highway for Pallam are "Pallam Power House", "Pallam Borma", "Pallam Buchanan" and "Pallam Post Office".

The village has kindergarten, primary and secondary schools. The C.M.S. (erstwhile Church Mission Society, currently under CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese Society) runs separate schools for boys and girls. The main playground for soccer is in the boy's school. St. Paul's C.B.S.E. School is run by the St. Paul's Orthodox Church.

The village has a mix of "Hindu" and "Christian" residents. The language is Malayalam as is in the rest of the state.

The western side of the village consists of Kerala backwaters. A very old light house (called Munroe light - It was set up by Col. Munroe, the erstwhile British Resident of Travancore. The village is a very quiet and calm place, although it is just 7 km from the town of Kottayam.

Some of the families in Pallam are Pathiyil, Chirayil, Plamparambil, Anjilimoottil, Palakkudiyil, Madackal, Kunnuthara, Kannampuram, Thakidiyil, Changadam, Peedika Parambil, Thadathil, Kochuparambil, Manakkattu, Malathusseril etc.