Kottarakkara

Kottarakkara (IAST: Koṭṭārakkara), also transliterated as Kottarakara, is a town and municipality in the Kollam district of the Kerala, India. The town is close to Kollam Port, which has a rich history linked to the early medieval period as well as the reputation as an important commercial, industrial and trading center. Kottarakkara lies to the east of Kollam city centre. History and Culture of Kottarakkara Kottarakkara, also known in the ancient days of the kings as the Elayadathu Swarupam, was a principality ruled by a branch of the Travancore Royal Family. It is the home of Kathakali, a well known dance drama which originated initially as Ramanattam created in the 17th century by Prince Kottarakkara Thampuran and later patronized by the Raja of Kottarakkara in the early 19th century absorbing other dance forms of Krishnattam with further innovations. Kottarakkara, a compound word made up of the words Kottaram, meaning "palace", and kara meaning "land", literally means "land of palaces". The area which had several palaces was thus named "Kottarakkara." Kottarakkara is a small principality close to Kollam. As a taluk headquarters, it has six panchayats and other small towns. It is surrounded by several other towns. Ampalakkara Andoor Chadayamangalam Chengamanadu Chakkuvarakkal Cherupoika Chithara Elamad Ezhukone Irukunnam Ittiva Kadakkal Kalayapuram Kareepra- Edakkidom Karickom Kottarakkara Kottathala Kottukkal Kulakkada Kummil Malavila Mankode Melila Mylom Neduvathur Nilamel Odanavattom Panaveli Pavithreswaram Pooyappally Puthoor Sadhanathapuram Thrikkannamangal Ummannur Valakom Velinallur Veliyam Vettikkavala Kottarakkara (Assembly constituency) Kottarakara Assembly Constituency is one among the 11 assembly constituencies in Kollam district. K.N.Balagopal is the present MLA from Kottarakkara constituency. Kottarakkara comes under Mavelikkara (Lok Sabha constituency)(previously it was in Adoor Loksabha constituency) that represents a large area including Kottarakkara, Mavelikkara, Changanasseri, spread in Kollam, Alappuzha and Kottayam districts.