Vallavilai is a village that owns a long stretch of coastline. The people here speak both Tamil and Malayalam. Communities such as Mukkuvar, Araya, Muslim, Ezhava, and Thandan live here in harmony. The main occupation of the people is fishing. Among them, the Mukkuvars form the largest population. The Araya community mainly engage in rope making and some fishing. The Muslims primarily work in trade. The Ezhavas work as laborers, and the Thandans earn their livelihood through toddy tapping.

There is a Catholic church dedicated to St Mary, seven kurusadies, a mosque, and temples belonging to the Araya and Ezhava communities. All communities actively participate in cultural and artistic events together.

The Catholic ancestors here were originally from the Hindu Araya community. There is authentic evidence that Christians have lived here since the 14th century. When the Kollam Diocese was formed in AD 1329, Vallavilai was a part of it. Although Christianity existed here before the arrival of St. Francis Xavier, it was after his visit that many locals were baptized directly by him, and Catholic faith deeply rooted in the community. This is unsurprising given the coastal location.

Boundaries:
South – Arabian Sea
West – St. Aloysius Higher Secondary School, Marthandamthurai
Northwest – Soosaipuram Colony
North – Ilampalamukku
Northeast – Manjathoppu, Kirathoor
East – Iravi Puthenthurai

Vallavilai is a coastal village that emerged as a settlement after the relocation of around 500 people from the nearby area of Aadhichan Thurai (Present Edappadu), which was abandoned due to severe sea erosion. The new settlement, known as Thalavila, became the foundation of present-day Vallavilai. The village is situated near the AVM canal and the sea, and remnants of its earlier history—such as parts of the old bridge and a historic Kurusadi—still exist. Vallavilai has deep roots in fishing traditions, with fishermen historically offering prayers before venturing into the sea.

The Evolution from Thalavila to Vallavilai

Around 300 BCE, Buddhist monks sent by Emperor Ashoka from the Kalinga kingdom spiritually blessed this coastal village called Thalavilai near the Kalingarajapuram region, by the long seashore.

In 1783, a protest called “Sraav Peeli” was led by Portuguese priests against the local feudal lords. Under the leadership of 75 village elders from Kanyakumari to Anchuthengu, the villagers gathered in Thalavila for this demonstration. This protest was mainly a display of strength by the local valla boatmen.

At that time, there were no modern transportation routes, so people relied on waterways and walking for travel. Along the Neyyar river, there is a man-made canal extending from Poovar Pozhikkara to Mandakadu. This canal is believed to have been constructed during the reign of the famous Travancore king Marthanda Varma.

Since Travancore had accepted British supremacy during that period, and as an expression of devotion to the kingdom’s tutelary deity, Sri Padmanabha, this canal was named the Anantha Victoria Marthanda Canal (AVM Canal). It was mainly built for cargo transportation.

The market at Poovar was very famous. People from even distant places like Kulachal used this canal to trade various goods at Poovar. Different types of boats were used for this water transport.

Thalavila, situated roughly midway through the long boat route, served as a resting place for travelers and boatmen. At the Palakkadavu in Thalavila, there was a tea shop where travelers could rest and refresh themselves.

Because of the prominence of the vallams(Boats) in this community, this village gradually became known as Vallavilai. Over time, the name Thalavila faded into oblivion.