Kundara

Kundara is a census town in Kerala and is part of the Kollam Metropolitan Area, India. Kundara is situated 13 km east of Kollam city, 14 km west of Kottarakkara, and 24 km north of Paravur. Kundara is significant for its historic involvement in the Indian independence movement. Kundara was once the industrial hub of Southern Kerala, which was the home to prominent industrial companies including Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Company, The Aluminium Industries Limited, Kundara(commonly known as ALIND), The Kerala Ceramics Limited and the Lakshmi Starch company. Many of these companies have closed down or turned into sick industries. Kundara is attempting to revive this industrial tradition and glory of bygone era now by developing Technopark Kollam and The Kerala Ceramics Limited. Kundara is also famous for backwater fishing since it is located on the shores of Kanjiracode Lake, a branch of Ashtamudi Lake. This lake recently received Marine Stewardship council recognition for sustainable fishing. Kundara has a prominent place in the history of Kerala and the independence struggle of India. The place witnessed the historic Kundara proclamation made by then Dalava of Travancore, Velu Thampi Dalawa on 1809 January 11. Velu Thambi Dalawa, the Prime Minister/Diwan (Dalava) to King Balarama Varma of Travancore in present-day Kerala was one of the earliest opponents of British rule. Velu Thampi dalawa in January 1809 made a proclamation known as the Kundara Proclamation. It was an open call to arms, exhorting the common people to rise up against the British and to overthrow them. There was a massive response to his rallying call. Dalawa had to commit suicide on exile later at Mannadi near Adoor. In the year 2007, the then Education Minister of Kerala, Shri. M A Baby, unveiled the 'Kundara Vilambaram' memorial at Ellampallor from where the proclamation was made two centuries ago. Since early days Kundara developed as a market place for trade due to 21 feet wide Quilon Sengotta Road that connected Travancore to Madras Presidency and proximity to water transport through Ashtamudi Lake.