Perumatty
Grama Panchayat

Perumatty is an agricultural village located in the Palakkad district, bordering Tamil Nadu. A lithomap prepared on July 25, 1910 (Karkidakam 25, 1085 of the Malayalam calendar) records Perumatty as a place on the western edge of the panchayat where seven Scheduled Caste families resided. This area is known today as Anappadam.

In the past, numerous bullock carts passed through this region for trade with Tamil Nadu. The spot where they camped for rest is known today as Vandithavalam. Historical records indicate that eminent scholars lived in Vilayodi and Namboorithalla, and many people from Kanchipuram and Thanjavur came to stay there to receive their guidance. This might be why Thunchath Acharyan (Thunchathu Ezhuthachan) established an ashram and lived on the banks of the nearby Shokanashini River.

The locality of Vempra houses a centuries-old neem tree and the Apasmara Kovil (epilepsy temple). People from other states visit this temple, irrespective of caste or religion, seeking relief from epilepsy.

A testament to the long-standing communal harmony here is the Chandanakkudam Mahotsavam, celebrated in connection with Vandithavalam, 40 Adi Avuliya, and Chinnameeran Mosque. Similarly, people of all faiths participate in the Ayyappan Vilakku Mahotsavam held at the Ayyappankavu temple.

Several regional festivals linked to agriculture are also celebrated here:

Perumatty was once a small village deeply affected by landlord-tenant issues, discrimination, and exploitation under the feudal Janmi-Kudiyan system. In the past, a system existed where tenants had to bring the lease-paddy (Paattanellu) to the landlord's house, dry it, measure it using the landlord's measuring vessel (Paattapara), and store it in their granary. This land also holds a history of agricultural workers constantly protesting, and even achieving martyrdom, for better wages and tenancy rights.

Originally part of the Pattanchery Group Panchayat, this area was officially formed as the Perumatty Panchayat on May 15, 1948. Following the rise of the ideology "land to the tiller," farmers and agricultural laborers united to fight against landlordism, which eventually brought the feudal system to an end. Consequently, the workers secured their rights through numerous small and large-scale struggles.

Just like in the old days, farmers and agricultural workers still celebrate the Pongal festival after the second harvest without any caste or religious discrimination. In connection with this, traditional folk art forms like Porattu Nadakam and Chavittu Nadakam plays such as Aryamala, Raja Harishchandra, and Sathyavan Savithri are performed.

The panchayat houses three libraries located at Vilayodi, Meenakshipuram, and Ayyapankavu. Among these, the Vilayodi Grameena Vayanashala is the oldest.