Perinad
Grama Panchayat

      Located about 11 kilometres east of Kollam, along the Kanjiracode shore of Ashtamudi Lake, the village of Perinad covers an area of approximately 13.86 square kilometres. Perinad was once a part of the historic Desinganad region, whose legacy is closely intertwined with the history of modern Kollam. Remnants of royal rule and feudal traditions, including old kalaris, load-bearing stones, and ruins of ministerial mansions, can still be seen scattered across the region as silent witnesses to its glorious past.

The region was formerly part of Venad, which later evolved into Travancore after the military campaigns associated with Pazhassi Raja. The area once known as “Periyanadu,” a major administrative division of Travancore that included present-day Thrikadavoor, Panayam, Thrikaruva, Perinad, and Kundara, gradually came to be known as Perinad. Historically, the lower caste communities of the region faced severe social discrimination and oppression. Under the practices of untouchability and caste-based restrictions, women from oppressed communities were denied the right to cover their upper bodies and lived under conditions akin to slavery for centuries. A significant social movement arose in Perinad during this period. On the 8th day of the Malayalam month of Thulam in 1915, thousands of men and women from marginalized communities gathered at Kuzhiyam Palavila in Perinad to protest against social injustice. The gathering faced violent opposition led by Nalleri Koorinayar and others, who attacked activists associated with the Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangham, including Gopaladasan. The conflict created a tense atmosphere, forcing many people to flee in different directions. The unrest, which included clashes, arson, and displacement, continued for several weeks. Eventually, a mediation conference was convened at the Peeranki Maidan in Kollam under the leadership of Mahatma Ayyankali and the respected leader Changanassery Parameswara Pillai. The movement ultimately succeeded in securing the right for oppressed women to wear upper garments and abandon the humiliating traditional symbols of slavery, such as stone and bead necklaces. The struggle became an important chapter in Kerala’s social reform history. Until about half a century ago, most of the land in the area was owned by a few feudal landlords. Land reforms, the decline of the joint family system, and the emergence of nuclear families gradually transferred land ownership to farmers and ordinary people. Perinad forms part of the southern midland agricultural zone of Kerala. Geographically, much of the region lies in low-lying areas, while the eastern side of the Panchayat is comparatively elevated. The land, with its scenic natural beauty, gently slopes towards the waters of Ashtamudi Lake. The first Panchayat Committee of Perinad was formed in August 1953. At that time, the Panchayat consisted of 10 wards, including the dual-member constituency of Edavattom. The Panchayat office initially functioned from a rented building before moving to its own premises at Village Junction. The second administrative committee came into existence in 1963, and in 1976 the Panchayat was granted Special Grade status. The third administrative committee assumed office in 1979. Between 1984 and 1989, the Panchayat administration was overseen by the Taluk Panchayat Officer. In accordance with the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, a 15-member governing body was constituted in 1995. Later, in 2000, the Panchayat was bifurcated into Panayam Grama Panchayat and Perinad Grama Panchayat. The sixth governing committee, which served during the period 2021–2025, successfully completed its term.