Kerala - Kochi   

Documenting Thripunithura

It is not just a souvenir brought out by a temple welfare committee but a document on the municipal town of Thripunithura.

`Makarajyothi,' brought out by the Thamarakulangara Ayyappa Seva Samiti on the occasion of Makaravilakku festival at the temple, tries to give a historical account of the town by its natives.

It has articles on a wide range of subjects: from the royalty, which ruled Kochi to the changing face of the town; on the temples which dot the town to its contribution to cricket; on the innumerable artistes it has given in the field of performing arts such as Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam, vocal and instrumental music and the town's heritage.

Those who have contributed articles are closely associated with the town in some way or the other. Archaeologist Raman Namboothiri's article on Athachamayam gives an account of his participation in the procession as a scout boy. The town's association with ayurveda is detailed in an article by Dr. K. Murali from the Government Ayurveda Collge. Former tahsildar Elamana Hari describes the old inside fort area.

Kathakali exponent Nelliyodu Vasudevan Namboothiri has written on the town's contribution to the traditional art form of Kerala. Dancer Kala Vijayan, daughter of the late Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair and Kalyalikutty Amma, has contributed an article about her experience of being the daughter of the celebrity couple.

The present and past chairpersons of the municipality have penned their views with a historical perspective. There are articles on music, koodiyattom, temple festivals and also on the changing face of the town.

Some of the articles are accompanied by some old photographs too. Mahatma Gandhi's visit to Thripunithura in 1934, the Nair Army, the AMS Bus Service, the Sastra Sadas, celebration of the first anniversary of Independence Day, the court of a Kochi King, the cricket team of 1930 are some of the photographs that provide a visual peek into the past.

The future of the town is also mentioned in some of the articles as being part of the modern city of Kochi. The town, which said to be axis of any cultural activity, keeps up with all the developments that are coming its way.

Shyama Rajagopal

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