Thrithala at a Glance
Thrithala Grama Panchayat is situated in the Thrithala Block of Pattambi Taluk, Palakkad District. It is one of the panchayats located along the western border of the district. Spanning an area of 22.78 square kilometers, the panchayat encompasses the villages of Thrithala and Pattithara. The Bharathapuzha River flows along the northern boundary of the Thrithala Grama Panchayat, with the riverbank stretching for approximately 6 kilometers. Its boundaries are defined by the Bharathapuzha River to the east, Pattithara Panchayat to the west, and Nagalassery and Thirumittacode Panchayats to the south. Thrithala lies in the midland region, with an elevation ranging from 8 to 75 meters above sea level. The central part of the area is elevated, sloping down towards both the north and the south; the southward slope is gradual, whereas the northward slope is steep. Approximately 20% of the area consists of high ground. Elevated plateau-like areas include Chiniparakkunnu, Thacharakunnu, Mudavathur, Njangattiri, and Ambalavattam, with Chiniparakkunnu being the highest point. The first panchayat election was held in 1963, and K.V. Saidumuhammed became the first President. Thiruvegapura Rama Poduval, Trithala Kunhikrishna Poduval, and Kesava Poduval—masters of the 'Trithala style' who created a resonant symphony of sublime experience on the *Chenda* (a traditional percussion instrument)—lived in this region. Trithala was home to numerous eminent practitioners of traditional medicine, including the Vaidyamatham family (part of the *Ashtavaidya* lineage), Chatharu Nair, and the families of Kandamkumarath and Kakkarath. The region also boasts proud achievements in the field of astrology. Furthermore, the hinterlands of Trithala are home to many families that have, for generations, engaged in diverse sectors such as agriculture, trade, handicrafts, and traditional rural occupations.