Cherpu is a gram panchayat in the Thrissur district in the state of Kerala. It is known for its rich temple tradition and religious harmony. The region in the pre-independence period had issues of caste-based discrimination. This was becoming a problem in the freedom movement. It was during this period Mahatma Gandhiji was traveling all around India with the message of uplifting the Harijans. He came to Kerala and visited Cherpu Mekavu Kshethra ground which is a famous Bhagavathi temple. The region is also famous for Peruvanam Shiva Temple, Thayamkulangara Subrahmaniya temple, and Hidumban temple. So it was a better junction to interact with the wider public and convey the message to them.
Preparations were made to accommodate the huge gathering which would assemble to hear the message of Gandhiji. It was how the ground was actually made out of the common property owned by the temple administration. A large number of people assembled to hear the voice of the father of the nation. It was during this period the temple entry movements were garnering pace in places such as Guruvayoor. The same spirit was also visible in Cherpu also. People started to appreciate the idea of communal harmony and bridging the caste divide. The Cherpu region also had a significant population of Christian and Muslim minorities. They were also brought into the fold of village empowerment and freedom movement through this act.
Even though the visit of Mahatma Gandhiji was only for one day the impact it made was very significant. First, it enlightened people about the need to stand united setting apart the caste dimensions. Secondly, the concept of Gramodharanam, which means empowering the village, became very prominent after this. This was fulfilled with the help of local artisans and craftsmen.
Traditionally the village of Cherpu has been blessed with people who make sculptures out of wood, bronze, and stones. Largely these were used to decorate the temples and landlords' houses. Usually, the craftsmen were being paid in kind and they were never in a position to demand more money for the work. Often they couldn’t even price tag their work properly.
Since the concept of Gramodharanam became prominent after the visit of Gandhiji certain people got inspired and started to set up a center for artisans to associate and form a guild through which they were able to market their wooden sculptures and furniture in a better manner. Leaders such as Yeshudasan, and Dinesh Aashari played a major role in the formation of the center. Later they started to train people in developing wooden furniture such as chairs, tables, cots, etc which helped to provide a better livelihood.
After independence, the guild was converted into a cooperative society for the marketing and selling of a wide variety of handicrafts and wooden sculptures. Later the land occupied by the guild was converted into a state government-run vocational education school known as Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, Cherpu.
A half-day visit of Gandhiji was able to ignite rational thoughts in the minds of people and it culminated in the socio-economic and educational growth of the Cherpu Gram panchayat. The common temple ground which is now surrounded by many buildings stands as a souvenir for this remarkable instance in India’s freedom movement which signifies that the struggle was not only to get rid of the British but also to empower the villages and the poor.
Source: OT, 96th Foundation Course, 2022, LBSNAA, Mussoorie