GRAND HERITAGE
Koyil Kotta — where history was made
A. SRIVATHSAN
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Kozhikode had a high order of cosmopolitanism and cultural variety and so, not surprisingly, it has many names such as Kalicut and Calicut.
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We often wonder how an Indian city can have many names. If it was Bombay during one visit, it is Mumbai during the other. If you hear someone say Chennai they are actually referring to Madras. Pataliputra to Patna, Trichirappali to Trichy, the list is long. What's in a name, we may ask. Quoting Shakespeare and Gertrude Stein we may even conclude that a rose is a rose anyway, no matter how you call it. It may not be entirely so. Names are registers of history. They reflect the political and social conditions of the times when cities were named. Many Indian cities have been in existence for more than 1000 years and their changing names bear witness to that rich history. History, we also know is still being made.
Of the all the Indian cities, if there is one city, which had a high order of cosmopolitanism and cultural variety, it is Kozhikode. And not surprisingly it has many names such as Kalicut and Calicut. Some have even given it the peculiar name — The Cock Fort.
Unique structures
It is said that the name Calicut is derived from the Malayalam word Koyil Kotta, a fortified place. While others think Kalicut is an Arabic version of Kozhikode, which the colonisers morphed to Calicut, which in turn gave the name Calico to the hand-woven cloth that originated here.
Kozhikode is an ancient settlement and played an important role in the history of Kerala. The Zamorins or Samutiris of Kozhikode established a stable government in the 15th century and were responsible for its growth. It is here, at Kappad, that Vasca do Gama landed in 1498. Much before the Portuguese arrived, there were Muslims and early Christians settled in Kozhikode.
Among many heritage structures in the city, the old mosques around the Kuttichira square and the Muslim houses nearby are architecturally rich.
There are cities with bazaars for silk and bangles, but Kozhikode has a unique bazaar — Mittai Theruvu or street with sweet shops. Calicut halwa is a delicacy and as adorable as Kolkatta rasgolla. The city is also rich endowed with folk songs such as Vadakkan pattu and Mapilla pattu.
The recovery and conservation of wetlands is one of the important issues that face Kozhikode. The Kottuli wetland and Cannoly cannal are endangered. The well being of these wetlands will ensure effective drainage in the city and also its ecological sustenance.
Shipbuilding centre
Beypore is an ancient shipbuilding centre near Kozhikode. The boat building yards of this place are worldrenowned and boats made here are called Uru. These Urus used to carry goods to Arabia and were known for their seafaring quality. With good quality wood in abundant supply and sustained patronage, the ship building craft grew in Beypore. Not any more. Lack of patronage and shift in technology has reduced Beypore craftsmen to toy makers. Now Urus are made as toys and sold as souvenirs.
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