Kadakkavoor
Grama Panchayat

There are different legends behind the name Kadakkavoor. One story is that the sea-lake-Ur evolved into Kadakkavoor, as the area is surrounded by sea and backwaters. Another argument is that since there was more coconut production in the higher areas of Kadakkavoor, the upper parts of Kadakkavoor, this area was called Adakkavoor, and over time it changed to Kadakkavoor. It is also said that the name Kadakkavoor came from the expression “Kadakkiratukku Rompa Kashtamana Ur”, which was an impassable place because there was a Vamanapuram river on one side, an Anchuthengu backwater on the other side, and a dense forest in the Palamkonam area on the other side.

Cultural history
A mixed culture exists here, combining the Tamil culture of the Tamil Brahmin groups who settled in this land, which was part of the princely state of Venad, and the Sinhala culture of those who came from Ceylon to cultivate coconuts. Along with this, Christian and Islamic cultures have been integrated into the cultural tradition of Kadakkavoor. Kadakkavoor village, where people of different castes and religions, including Hindus, Muslims, and Christians, live with mutual respect, is an exemplary example of religious harmony. There are about thirty-four places of worship of people of different castes and religions in this village. Different rituals such as Pongala, Kavadi, Kuthira Eduppu, Garuda Thukkam, Theyyam, Kuthi Yottam, and  Thottampattu are practiced in each Hindu temple. Cultural centers such as Kalidasa Library, Mahatma Gandhi Recreation Club, Jawahar Smaraka Library, and Sree Narayana Vilasam Library are functioning in various areas of the panchayat. Among these, the Kalidasa Library stands out due to its age and the vastness of its book collection. This library has more than 8000 books. The only dance-related publication in Kerala, Nrityakalarangam, is published from this panchayat. The professional theatre troupe in Kerala started from Kadakkavoor. Many famous artists of that time, including Sebastian Kunjukunju Bhagavathar, Augustine Joseph, Ochira Velukutty, Madhavanasan, Kochukrishnanasan, came to the S.S. Sahrudaya Nandini Natanasabha led by Kunju Krishna Panicker and received training in theatre. In the field of medicine, famous and accomplished doctors like Kavungal Kochuraman Vaidyaar, Thazhathayil Krishnan Vaidyaar, Keezhattingal Thenguvila Neelakandan Vaidyaar are the sons of this panchayat. Even before the emergence of recognized labour movements in independent India, many labour organisations were formed in this area and were functioning well. Important among them are the Independent Naval Workers Union, Weavers' Workers Union, Kerala Coir Workers Union, and Chirayinkeezhu Taluk Cinema Workers Union.