Rotary Club of Payyanur started in 1985 with twenty members. The charter was resented on 11-03-1985 (Charter No.23515) by then Dist. Governor Rtn.P.N.Gopal. Adv.K.S.Umamaheshara Iyer was the Charter President.

PDG.Dr.K.P.Ganesan of Mangalore inaugurated the Rotary Club of Payyanur, which was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Nileswar, on 15th October 1985. Had 20 Charter Members. During the formation period the club had resources crunch and could not afford a rented office for weekly meetings. Therefore our charter member Rtn.Dr.U.V.Shenoy graciously arranged a part of his clinic building for our weekly meetings, and took up the responsibility of looking after the affairs of our club. The club owns much of its development to the efforts made by Dr.U.V.Shenoy and the club Charter Members. The club functioned at his clinic for about 4 years and then moved over to the rented building and finally to Club’s own building.

Payyanur is situated in the Kannur district of Kerala. Sprawling in the valley of the lofty Ezhimala Hills, Payyanur has a distinguished place in the history and culture of the country. The place derives its name from the renowned Sri Subrahmanya Swami Temple located here. 'Payyan' is an appellation of Lord Subrahmanya and ? Ooru' means the place. Thus Payyanur means the land of Lord Subrahmanya. Payyanur is also well known for Pavithra Mothiram, Astrology, art forms like Theyyam and Poorakkali.