Kerala - Kozhikode   

Conserving a glorious past

KOZHIKODE: The Kuttichira Heritage Project that aims to protect and conserve one of the oldest and most prestigious areas of Kozhikode will be implemented soon.

P.M.A. Salam, MLA, said the Rs.5-crore scheme was awaiting sanction from the Centre. The fund is expected to be released soon.

The heritage initiative will highlight not only the culture and history of Kuttichira but that of Kozhikode too.

The peculiar culture prevalent here came to be known as the ‘Thekkepuram’ tradition.

The Kuttichira area was the embodiment of the perfect communal harmony that existed in Kozhikode under the Zamorin, when people of different nationalities such as the Portuguese, and Hindus and Muslims lived here.

The scheme aims to retain the past glory of the streets, mosques and the rambling aristocratic tharavads, which resemble nalukkettus, which had joint families with 50 or 100 or more members.

Mr. Salam said the Tourism Department had taken a keen interest in the heritage project.

The project prepared by C. Earth enterprise under the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation’s directive was discussed with the local people.

Kuttichira is noted for the unique example of medieval Kerala architecture showcased through the mosques and aristocratic residential houses. The architecture style, with inner courtyards, multi-stories and slanting tiled roofs, is common to Hindu temples, Muslim mosques and Christian churches.

Conservation of the grand Miskal Mosque would be a priority of the project, besides giving a facelift to the ‘chira’ (big tank) and beautification of the banks. The chira, with its stone-paved steps leading to the water, was once the centre of activity and the place from where state proclamations from the Zamorin were made. A gateway to the area is also planned.

Other noted mosques here include the Jamayatpalli, Sheikintepalli and the smaller Muchuntipalli, built between the 13th and 16th centuries and exhibiting plaques with Arabic inscriptions. The Muchuntipalli inscription mentions grant of land and resources by the Zamorin.

It is proposed to buy an old Muslim tharavad in Thekkepuram to set up a museum. The museum would exhibit the dress and jewellery of the matrilineal society that existed here and the ‘mappila’ cuisine that got centred here, Mr. Salam said. Details will be compiled on the prominent personalities of the area.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Environment quiz and green olympiad for school students
Conserving a glorious past
Leadership Series gets under way at IIM-K
New cultural organisation
Call to relax admission norms
Churches hold protest marches and rallies
Award for former MP
Airline casual workers up in arms
Test on the Koran
Science can add punch to tribal medicine: experts
Workshop on emergency care
Small-scale timber traders seek protection
Applications invited for certificate courses
Car set on fire
Power of self-reliance lights up this little Kozhikode village
Small scale timber traders seek protection
Kozhikode today

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu