Pala has been home to, or the birthplace of, several influential figures in Kerala’s public life:
* **St. Alphonsa (1910–1946):** The first woman of Indian origin to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church; her tomb is a major pilgrimage site near Pala. * **K. M. Mani (1933–2019):** A towering figure in Kerala politics, he represented the Pala constituency for over 50 years and holds the record for being the longest-serving Member of the Legislative Assembly in Kerala. * **Paul Zacharia:** A prominent Malayalam writer and essayist known for his unconventional and often satirical literary style. * **Justice K. T. Thomas:** Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, known for his significant contributions to Indian jurisprudence.