Sunday, July 18, 2010
Ayurvedam
Ayurveda-literally "Science of Life"-is based on the twin principles of wholeness and balance. As a holistic healing tradition, Ayurveda recommends treating the " whole" person-body, mind, senses, emotions and spirit- instead of following the "one- cause-one-cure" principle and focusing on the symptoms of the moment. The premise is that if the roots are nourished and watered, the plant will flourish. Diet, sleep, lifestyle, daily and seasonal routines and internal cleansing are just as, or more, important than herbs and potions in order to maintain good health. And Ayurveda is equally about maintaining or preserving good health as it is about treating disorders - " Swaasthasya Rakshanam " is one of the goals of Ayurveda.
Payyannur
Payyanur is a municipality situated in the Kannur district of Kerala , India . 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 , and historical movements like that held at Korom .
Pavithra Mothiram
Payyanur Pavithram or Pavithra Mothiram is internationally famous like" Aranmula Mirror "or "Ambalapuzha Palpayasam". Pavithram is the particular ring worn during performing vedic or holy rituals or during the " pithrubali" (ceremony performed for the well-being of the forefathers or departed souls) in the Hindu tradition. The traditional Pavitram is usually made of "dharba" grass. The formation of Payyanur Pavitram is closely related with Payyanur Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple. According to the legends, Pavitram made of gold was recommended to avoid the inconvenience of making it many times a day for the various poojas and rituals. [ citation needed ] Payyanur Pavithra Mothiram is a uniquely crafted ring shaped like a knot and considered being a sacred ornament. Usually Payyanur Pavithram is being made of Gold and Silver. The Pavithram is to be worn on the right ring finger by the person performing Vedic Karmas. It is believed that this ring will bring luck and grace to anyone who wears it with the deep devotion. The three lines on the top of the ring represents the three vital "nadees"( nerves) of the human body, Ida, Pingala and Sushumna. The knot between these three nerves together can awake or arose the "Kundalini sakthi" (vital energy of the body) of the human body. It is believed that the Pavithram brings the "Trimoorthi Chaithanyam" ( the vigor or the effect due to the presence of the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva).The person who wear Pavithram as well as the Goldsmith who makes it has to have to impose some sort of self control or discipline over themselves. They should be pure vegetarian and shouldn't take alcohol and should keep way from immoral activities. If wore by women, they have to remove the ring during the period of menstruation. According to tradition, the Pavithram, before handed over to the customer, is taken to Payyanur Perumal Temple for special poojas and a part of the cost of the ring will be given to the temple as an offering. Payyanur Pavithram is being exhibited in many of the museums of India as well as abroad. It is relevant to mention the name of late C.V. Kunhambu, who ws an expert in the making of Payyanur Pavithram and was also a great freedom fighter. national movement -payyannur has a great history of national movement . a kumhiraman adiyodi and n subrahmanya shenoy were the main leaders
Pavithra Mothiram
Payyanur Pavithram or Pavithra Mothiram is internationally famous like" Aranmula Mirror "or "Ambalapuzha Palpayasam". Pavithram is the particular ring worn during performing vedic or holy rituals or during the " pithrubali" (ceremony performed for the well-being of the forefathers or departed souls) in the Hindu tradition. The traditional Pavitram is usually made of "dharba" grass. The formation of Payyanur Pavitram is closely related with Payyanur Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple. According to the legends, Pavitram made of gold was recommended to avoid the inconvenience of making it many times a day for the various poojas and rituals. [ citation needed ] Payyanur Pavithra Mothiram is a uniquely crafted ring shaped like a knot and considered being a sacred ornament. Usually Payyanur Pavithram is being made of Gold and Silver. The Pavithram is to be worn on the right ring finger by the person performing Vedic Karmas. It is believed that this ring will bring luck and grace to anyone who wears it with the deep devotion. The three lines on the top of the ring represents the three vital "nadees"( nerves) of the human body, Ida, Pingala and Sushumna. The knot between these three nerves together can awake or arose the "Kundalini sakthi" (vital energy of the body) of the human body. It is believed that the Pavithram brings the "Trimoorthi Chaithanyam" ( the vigor or the effect due to the presence of the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva).The person who wear Pavithram as well as the Goldsmith who makes it has to have to impose some sort of self control or discipline over themselves. They should be pure vegetarian and shouldn't take alcohol and should keep way from immoral activities. If wore by women, they have to remove the ring during the period of menstruation. According to tradition, the Pavithram, before handed over to the customer, is taken to Payyanur Perumal Temple for special poojas and a part of the cost of the ring will be given to the temple as an offering. Payyanur Pavithram is being exhibited in many of the museums of India as well as abroad. It is relevant to mention the name of late C.V. Kunhambu, who ws an expert in the making of Payyanur Pavithram and was also a great freedom fighter. national movement -payyannur has a great history of national movement . a kumhiraman adiyodi and n subrahmanya shenoy were the main leaders
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Hinduisum
Hinduism is a way of living according to the one's understanding of principles of Vedas and Upanishads. Veda is revealed knowledge. Just as the knowledge of gravity was revealed to Newton, similarly, in India, many Rishis or Seers were awakened to certain transcendental Eternal Truths. These Rishis realized that their real nature was not concerned with or linked with 'body or mind', nor was it dependent on sense perceptions, but was in fact identical with the Universal Consciousness.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Sri Narayana Guru
Sri Narayana Guru was a prophet, sage and Hindu saint and also a social reformer of India. He was born in the family of Ezhavas, in a period when people from backward communities, like, the Ezhavas faced much social injustices in the caste-ridden Kerala society. Gurudevan, as he was fondly known to his followers, revolted against casteism and worked on propagating new values of freedom in spirituality and of social equality, thereby transforming the Kerala society and as such he is adored as a prophet. India as a whole may have produced its Gandhi, but Keralites are inclined to take more pride in their own great spiritual and social leader, the contemporary of Gandhi, the low-caste sage Sri Narayana Guru, with his tireless preaching of the doctrine of `One Caste, One Religion, One God.` He preached for moral and religious universalism.
Life of Sri Narayana Guru
Narayana Guru was born in the 20 th of August, 1856 , in a village called Chempazhanthi which is situated close to Thiruvananthapuram . He was the son of a farmer called, Madan Asan and mother Kutti Amma. The boy was called Nanu. His father was also a teacher, educated in Sanskrit and well- versed in Ayurveda and astrology. Nanu had three sisters. He used to listen to his father with much interest while he narrates the tales from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana to the common village folks. Nanu was introduced into traditional education pattern Ezhuthinirithal, by a local school master and also a village officer called Chempazhanthi Pillai. He carried on his studies at home under the guidance of his uncle Krishnan Vaidyan, a famous Ayurvedic physician and a scholar of Sanskrit and his father, where he was trained with the basics of the Sanskrit and Tamil languages and traditional subjects like Balaprobhodhanam, Siddharupam and Amarakosam.
.At a young age, Nanu possessed a sharp mind and admitted in the reputed school, Kummampilli Raman Pillai Asan at a village called Karunagapalli, which was fifty miles from his home, when he was only twenty one years old. He stayed as a guest in the family home Varanapally close to Kayamkulam. Nanu, with other students, was given teachings on Sanskrit language and drama, poetry and literary criticism, along with logical rhetoric. He learned the Upanishad and the Vedas . He started teaching in a nearby school and his knowledge earned him the name `Nanu Asan`. Due to pressure from his family, Nanu got married to a traditional village doctor`s daughter called Kaliamma. His marriage was very simple with the sisters of the groom investing the bridealong with the `Thaali` (wedding knot) on his behalf. The bride stayed with her parents because Nanu Asan soon after became a wanderer. After the death of his wife and father, Nanu Asan carried on his life as a wandering Sanyasi and became a `Parivrajaka` (who wanders one place to another in the pursuit of Truth). During those days Nanu came across Kunjan Pillai, who was later called Chattampi Swamikal. Kunjan Pillai, who discovered and apprized the philosophy of Nanu Asan and his passion towards Yoga , acquainted him to a Hatha yogi, Thycaud Ayyavu. Under the guidance of the Yogi, Nanu learned several Yogic practices like Hatha Yoga and this experience had a deep impact in the later parts of the life of Narayana Guru.
Sri Narayana Guru went to his hermitage in the hilly forest regions of Maruthwamala, where he practiced an austere life by undertaking yoga and meditative thought and followed severe sustenance rituals. This period lasted for eight years. After completing a modest life of more than 30 years thriving in knowledge and rough experiences, this epoch is regarded as the completion of the meditative recluse; the period at which Sri Narayana Guru is believed to have got Enlightenment.
Reform Work of Sri Narayana Guru
Subdued for centuries by the Brahmin and the Nayar castes, regarded as outside the fourfold structure of the caste system, the Ezhavas, nevertheless, retained a pride even in their position as the leading caste of the outcastes, and during the nineteenth century developed a great will to rise above the limitations which society had laid upon them, a will personified most dynamically in the teachings of Sri Narayana Guru, who was himself an Ezhava. Revolution was motivated and catalyzed by a most unbelievable revolutionary, a conventional Shaivite vedantin, an ascetic and monk who wrote a number of devotional songs in Tamil, Sanskrit and Malayalam and he was Sri Narayana Guru.
When one discusses about Sri Narayana Guru, one uses superlatives in order to compare the great saint with a list of notables. Guru was the famous reformer in Hinduism to come out to the southern parts of India since the incomparable Adi Sankara . Narayana Guru was the champion of the rights of lower caste oppressed Hindus in the twentieth century, and was more flourishing than the better known Dr. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi . He overturned the social system of entire Kerala , while following simple means unlike the works of EV Ramaswamy Naicker in the state of Tamil Nadu . The revolutionary reformer, whose call for self improvement and self reliance touched delicately the heart of the oppressed class all over the world.
.Similarities are there with regard to the blacks struggling in the United States, led by Dr. Martin Luther King to that of Sri Narayana Guru of India. Narayana Guru brought to the underprivileged Kerala class the realization that they are also human beings and are also subject to get respect. The reason today that in the state of Kerala, there prevail a self-asserting egalitarianism is mainly due to the intellectual and spiritual revival brought by Sri Narayana Guru. The fact that Sri Guru did this wholly in the fabric of Hinduism is noteworthy.
One of the major strengths of Hinduism is its capacity for renaissance, renewal and reform and in this case, the authority of personality of a great saint was sufficient to cleanse the Hinduism of Kerala of the amassed dross ofabout a millennium. Guru gave much importance to the requirement for the social and spiritual upliftment of the unfortunate with the help of their own efforts by the institution of educational institutions and temples.
Advaita Ashram at Aluva
Sri Narayana Guru founded an Ashram at Aluva in the year 1913 , which was called the Advaita Ashram. This event was vital in the life of Sri Guru. The concerned Ashram was devoted to the great principle - `Om Sahodaryam Sarvatra` (it means, each and very unman being is equal in the eyes of God). In the year 1921 , a Conference of Universal Brotherhood organised at Alwaye and in the year 1924 , an all religion conference was organized there. The Guru gave importance to the requirement for a Brahma Vidyalayam for comparative study of several religious faiths. Narayana Gurukulam is the name of an institution which was founded in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu by Bodhananda Swamikal and afterwards given over to Nataraja Guru.
Books by Sri Narayana Guru
Some of the works of Sri Narayana Guru in Sanskrit are Darsana Mala, Brahmavidya Panchakam, Slokathrayi, Nirvruthi Panchakam, Vedantha Suthram, Municharya Panchakam, Homa Manthram, Asramam, Charama Slokangal, Dharmam, Chidambarashtakam, Bhadrakaliashtakam,Sree Vasudeva Ashtakam, Guhashtakam, Vinayaka Ashtakam and Genani Navamanjari. His works in Malayalam include Swanubavageethi, Advaitha Deepika, Atmopadesa Satakam, Arivu, Jeevakarunya Panchakam, Daiva Dasakam, Anukamba Dasakam, Daiva Chintanam - 1 & 2 , Jathi Lakshanam, Chijanda Chinthakam, Jathi Nirnayam, Athma Vilasam and Shiva Satakam Thevarappathinkanga is one of his works in Tamil language. Sri Narayana Guru became severely ill in the month of September, 1928 and stayed bedridden for a certain period. His devotees flocked in huge numbers to have a look of their Gurudevan. The same year, the birthday of Gurudevan was observed in several places, mainly in Mangalore , Kerala, Chennai , Sri Lanka and Europe. On the 20 th of September, 1928 Sri Narayana Guru died.
Narayana Guru is idolized for his knowledge of the Vedas, openness to other`s views, poetic proficiency, non- violent philosophy and his persistent resolve to correct the social wrongs. Narayana Guru was involved in fixing the spiritual bases for social reform in the state of Kerala and was also among the most-renowned social reformers who dealt with the caste system in India . He established a path leading to social emancipation while not fuelling the dualism of the oppressor and the oppressed.
Life of Sri Narayana Guru
Narayana Guru was born in the 20 th of August, 1856 , in a village called Chempazhanthi which is situated close to Thiruvananthapuram . He was the son of a farmer called, Madan Asan and mother Kutti Amma. The boy was called Nanu. His father was also a teacher, educated in Sanskrit and well- versed in Ayurveda and astrology. Nanu had three sisters. He used to listen to his father with much interest while he narrates the tales from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana to the common village folks. Nanu was introduced into traditional education pattern Ezhuthinirithal, by a local school master and also a village officer called Chempazhanthi Pillai. He carried on his studies at home under the guidance of his uncle Krishnan Vaidyan, a famous Ayurvedic physician and a scholar of Sanskrit and his father, where he was trained with the basics of the Sanskrit and Tamil languages and traditional subjects like Balaprobhodhanam, Siddharupam and Amarakosam.
.At a young age, Nanu possessed a sharp mind and admitted in the reputed school, Kummampilli Raman Pillai Asan at a village called Karunagapalli, which was fifty miles from his home, when he was only twenty one years old. He stayed as a guest in the family home Varanapally close to Kayamkulam. Nanu, with other students, was given teachings on Sanskrit language and drama, poetry and literary criticism, along with logical rhetoric. He learned the Upanishad and the Vedas . He started teaching in a nearby school and his knowledge earned him the name `Nanu Asan`. Due to pressure from his family, Nanu got married to a traditional village doctor`s daughter called Kaliamma. His marriage was very simple with the sisters of the groom investing the bridealong with the `Thaali` (wedding knot) on his behalf. The bride stayed with her parents because Nanu Asan soon after became a wanderer. After the death of his wife and father, Nanu Asan carried on his life as a wandering Sanyasi and became a `Parivrajaka` (who wanders one place to another in the pursuit of Truth). During those days Nanu came across Kunjan Pillai, who was later called Chattampi Swamikal. Kunjan Pillai, who discovered and apprized the philosophy of Nanu Asan and his passion towards Yoga , acquainted him to a Hatha yogi, Thycaud Ayyavu. Under the guidance of the Yogi, Nanu learned several Yogic practices like Hatha Yoga and this experience had a deep impact in the later parts of the life of Narayana Guru.
Sri Narayana Guru went to his hermitage in the hilly forest regions of Maruthwamala, where he practiced an austere life by undertaking yoga and meditative thought and followed severe sustenance rituals. This period lasted for eight years. After completing a modest life of more than 30 years thriving in knowledge and rough experiences, this epoch is regarded as the completion of the meditative recluse; the period at which Sri Narayana Guru is believed to have got Enlightenment.
Reform Work of Sri Narayana Guru
Subdued for centuries by the Brahmin and the Nayar castes, regarded as outside the fourfold structure of the caste system, the Ezhavas, nevertheless, retained a pride even in their position as the leading caste of the outcastes, and during the nineteenth century developed a great will to rise above the limitations which society had laid upon them, a will personified most dynamically in the teachings of Sri Narayana Guru, who was himself an Ezhava. Revolution was motivated and catalyzed by a most unbelievable revolutionary, a conventional Shaivite vedantin, an ascetic and monk who wrote a number of devotional songs in Tamil, Sanskrit and Malayalam and he was Sri Narayana Guru.
When one discusses about Sri Narayana Guru, one uses superlatives in order to compare the great saint with a list of notables. Guru was the famous reformer in Hinduism to come out to the southern parts of India since the incomparable Adi Sankara . Narayana Guru was the champion of the rights of lower caste oppressed Hindus in the twentieth century, and was more flourishing than the better known Dr. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi . He overturned the social system of entire Kerala , while following simple means unlike the works of EV Ramaswamy Naicker in the state of Tamil Nadu . The revolutionary reformer, whose call for self improvement and self reliance touched delicately the heart of the oppressed class all over the world.
.Similarities are there with regard to the blacks struggling in the United States, led by Dr. Martin Luther King to that of Sri Narayana Guru of India. Narayana Guru brought to the underprivileged Kerala class the realization that they are also human beings and are also subject to get respect. The reason today that in the state of Kerala, there prevail a self-asserting egalitarianism is mainly due to the intellectual and spiritual revival brought by Sri Narayana Guru. The fact that Sri Guru did this wholly in the fabric of Hinduism is noteworthy.
One of the major strengths of Hinduism is its capacity for renaissance, renewal and reform and in this case, the authority of personality of a great saint was sufficient to cleanse the Hinduism of Kerala of the amassed dross ofabout a millennium. Guru gave much importance to the requirement for the social and spiritual upliftment of the unfortunate with the help of their own efforts by the institution of educational institutions and temples.
Advaita Ashram at Aluva
Sri Narayana Guru founded an Ashram at Aluva in the year 1913 , which was called the Advaita Ashram. This event was vital in the life of Sri Guru. The concerned Ashram was devoted to the great principle - `Om Sahodaryam Sarvatra` (it means, each and very unman being is equal in the eyes of God). In the year 1921 , a Conference of Universal Brotherhood organised at Alwaye and in the year 1924 , an all religion conference was organized there. The Guru gave importance to the requirement for a Brahma Vidyalayam for comparative study of several religious faiths. Narayana Gurukulam is the name of an institution which was founded in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu by Bodhananda Swamikal and afterwards given over to Nataraja Guru.
Books by Sri Narayana Guru
Some of the works of Sri Narayana Guru in Sanskrit are Darsana Mala, Brahmavidya Panchakam, Slokathrayi, Nirvruthi Panchakam, Vedantha Suthram, Municharya Panchakam, Homa Manthram, Asramam, Charama Slokangal, Dharmam, Chidambarashtakam, Bhadrakaliashtakam,Sree Vasudeva Ashtakam, Guhashtakam, Vinayaka Ashtakam and Genani Navamanjari. His works in Malayalam include Swanubavageethi, Advaitha Deepika, Atmopadesa Satakam, Arivu, Jeevakarunya Panchakam, Daiva Dasakam, Anukamba Dasakam, Daiva Chintanam - 1 & 2 , Jathi Lakshanam, Chijanda Chinthakam, Jathi Nirnayam, Athma Vilasam and Shiva Satakam Thevarappathinkanga is one of his works in Tamil language. Sri Narayana Guru became severely ill in the month of September, 1928 and stayed bedridden for a certain period. His devotees flocked in huge numbers to have a look of their Gurudevan. The same year, the birthday of Gurudevan was observed in several places, mainly in Mangalore , Kerala, Chennai , Sri Lanka and Europe. On the 20 th of September, 1928 Sri Narayana Guru died.
Narayana Guru is idolized for his knowledge of the Vedas, openness to other`s views, poetic proficiency, non- violent philosophy and his persistent resolve to correct the social wrongs. Narayana Guru was involved in fixing the spiritual bases for social reform in the state of Kerala and was also among the most-renowned social reformers who dealt with the caste system in India . He established a path leading to social emancipation while not fuelling the dualism of the oppressor and the oppressed.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Donete your eyes
"Close your eyes and you will see my world." This is the voice of the blind to the ones who can see each second, this beautiful creation. Just close your eyes for a minute and you can feel deep in your heart how a blind person sees this world every day. No words describe that pain. At the same time no words can explain the joy when someone can see the world because you or your loved one donated their eyes. It's not true that only wealthy people, by donating money,can help the needy. You will be on top of the world when you donate your tissues and organs to a noble cause and the best part of it is anybody can do it.And anyway you do not need them when you die. So, why not donate them? How many of you know that -the eye bank accepts the eye donation starting from 2 years of age. -they should be donated within 6 hours of death. -you can donate your eyes,even if you have certain retinal problems or macular degeneration or had a laser treatment. -if not for procedures, your tissue can be used for other research or study purposes. Of course,it's a very hard subject to speak about to the grieving family. But when they give it a moment and think wisely, they will understand their loved one will continue to live, somewhere around them, through someone else's eyes (or heart or liver.) As it's a huge message to deliver in few words, I have given a few links below giving more details about eye donation: 1. http://www.eyedonation.org/ faq.html 2. http://www.restoresight.org/ donation/ In each country, the eye banks follow certain procedures and criteria according to legal requirements and they document your consent for donation. Although many organizations make an enormous effort to educate the public about tissue donations, it's impossible to cover the whole population [especially the rural areas]. The best way to become a donor is to talk to your physician on your next visit or contact your local eye and tissue bank in your area, find out whether you qualify as a donor and pledge a promising new life or lives[if you are donating multiple organs] for others. By now, I think who ever is reading this article will reflect, "Why not me?". Eye banks are open 24 hours a day. So call them up and get more details. Last but not least,not only your eyes but also your skin, bones, liver, and heart will also be of use to others in organ donation centers. I am hoping at least some of you will speak to your doctor on your next visit and save someone's life. Spread the word to others and " DONATE".
by
Divya Rajesh
by
Divya Rajesh
stop child work
Chacha Nehru had said that kids are like Flowers but these flowers are being crushed under the curse called Child Labor In many parts of India children who are under 14 are made to work forcefully or due to financial problems in various industries. Lets understand what is child labor is ? Child labor is making children who are less then 14 years of age to work Though there have been many rules and laws to prevent child labor still this demon is increasing its grip over kids in our Country. In various parts of states like Bihar or UP the children are sold to Businessman for small sum who in turn take these children to Metros like Mumbai and Delhi and make them work at the factories, Hotels or shops Now question arises why these Parents sell these children main reason being poverty to continue their own livelihood parents sell there Kids Sounds strange but that’s the reality in Modern India. So Children who should go to School to study and play are working for more than 18 Hrs in small factories. This causes various deformities in these children due to long Hours of work in damp rooms and with few morsels of food. Industries where child labor is very prominent is Bidi, Fireworks, Diamonds, Hotels. This is very useful to Businessman as they can make these Children work for long hours without spending much Money. Though Indian industries will grow by this in terms of profit but will our nation get profited by spoiling present of these Child's. Answer is a definite NO NO!! Another perspective is girl childs amongst these children are exploited by these Owners and sometimes these girls are put into flesh trade where they trapped for lifetime. We say that India is developing nation which wants to become Superpower tomorrow but are we going to achieve this with children working in these factories. If we do not take step forward to stop child labor today than we will loose future Industrialists, Army officers, Pilots , Scientists, Doctors and India will take many many years to become Superpower. Always our politicians want to depict in front of Foreigners our Military Power, Industrial Development ,Rich Culture traditions as all these are our strong points but no one wants to show problems like Child labor. Development in all these fields is good we are very much proud of that but we of course shouldn’t be closing our eyes when it comes to clean mess in our Society. What can be done to control stop child labor : 1) It has been observed that 80 % Child labor cases are cause of parental poverty So government should build factories or should give lease on Agriculture in these areas So that it can generate jobs and parents do not have to sell the children. 2) There is law against child labor but its not harsh and there are many loopholes. So whenever anyone is caught promoting this act he should be booked for Life Imprisonment His industrial license should be canceled. If we do this for few years no one would dare to make child work in their Industry. 3) We as people should consider our responsibility whenever a maid sends her girl who is under 14 to work at your Home ask her to go back if you don’t you promote child labor . Also when you see a small boys working as waiter in Hotel tell owner that you can complaint and ask him to stop taking work from this Kid. 4) People hesitate to report these cases as they have problems of Police So Government can start a helpline where public can call and report incidents and later Cops would take action on these incidents. If we implement all this and eradicate this curse from our Society then India would soon emerge as Superpower in world Horizon with its future in safe hands.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Taliparamba
Taliparamba (also known as Perimchellur ) is a city and a municipality in Kannur district in the Indian state of Kerala . It consists of 47 villages which are spread over an area of 1330.56 square kilometres ( 513.73 square miles ). It stretches from the coastal area of Ramanthali to Nuchiyard and Vayathur villages, touching the Karnataka border. Taliparamba is a small town of only 67 ,000 people crowded into a small area of 43 square kilometers. But the undulating hills that surround this little town make it exceptionally beautiful. The surrounding villages of Pattuvam, Kuttikkol and Karimbam are filled with lush green fields and little rolling hills. The rivers of Kuppam and Valapattanam surround the towns from all sides and the Arabian sea is only 14 kilometres to the western side. The hanging bridge at Kuttiyeri and the beautiful riverside temple at Parassinikkadavu attaract a large number of toruists. The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kannur and the Pepper Research Station under Kerala Agricultural University at Panniyur, Kannur University, Pariyaram Medical College and Sir Syed College are a few famous institutions in and around Taliparamba . The origin of Taliparamba is from the Perinchalloor brahminical settlement. Of the original 2 ,000 Brahmin families, only 45 remain now. The old name of Taliparamba was 'Lakshmipura' as this place was considered as an abode of prosperity. The 'Sree Raja Rajeswara Temple ' and the 'Trichambaram temple ' are renowned places of worship. Today Muslims and Christians also form a sizeable portion of the population.
Demography
The District
has a population of 2 ,412 , 365 (2001 census). This is the most urbanised district in Kerala [citation needed ] . About 50.35 % of the population reside in the
urban agglomerations. The total urban population of Kannur district is 1 ,212 , 898. This is the second largest urban population in Kerala after Ernakulam and is more than the population of a metro city.The high urban population of the district is due to the 45 towns in the district which is the highest in Kerala. Kannur district has 7 statutory towns namely Kannur ,Kannur Cantonment , Thalassery , Payyannur ,Thaliparamba ,Kuthuparamba and Mattannur . In addition to this there are 38 census towns which are Ancharakandy ,Azhikode North , Azhikode South ,Chala , Chelora , Cherukunnu ,Cheruthazham , Chirakkal , Chockli, Dharmadom , Elayavoor , Eranholi, Iriveri , Kadachira , Kadirur ,Kalliasseri , Kanhirode Kannadiparamba , Kannapuram ,Kottayam-Malabar , Mavilayi ,Munderi , Muzhappilangad , Narath , New Mahe , Paduvilayi ,Pallikkunnu , Panniyannur , Panoor, Pappinisseri , Pathiriyad , Pattiom, Peralasseri , Peringathur ,Pinarayi , Puzhathi , Thottada ,Valapattanam , Varam .Kannur city has, apart from Malayalees and Tamils, a small Konkani, Portuguese , French ,Punjabi and Gujarati speaking population too.
has a population of 2 ,412 , 365 (2001 census). This is the most urbanised district in Kerala [citation needed ] . About 50.35 % of the population reside in the
urban agglomerations. The total urban population of Kannur district is 1 ,212 , 898. This is the second largest urban population in Kerala after Ernakulam and is more than the population of a metro city.The high urban population of the district is due to the 45 towns in the district which is the highest in Kerala. Kannur district has 7 statutory towns namely Kannur ,Kannur Cantonment , Thalassery , Payyannur ,Thaliparamba ,Kuthuparamba and Mattannur . In addition to this there are 38 census towns which are Ancharakandy ,Azhikode North , Azhikode South ,Chala , Chelora , Cherukunnu ,Cheruthazham , Chirakkal , Chockli, Dharmadom , Elayavoor , Eranholi, Iriveri , Kadachira , Kadirur ,Kalliasseri , Kanhirode Kannadiparamba , Kannapuram ,Kottayam-Malabar , Mavilayi ,Munderi , Muzhappilangad , Narath , New Mahe , Paduvilayi ,Pallikkunnu , Panniyannur , Panoor, Pappinisseri , Pathiriyad , Pattiom, Peralasseri , Peringathur ,Pinarayi , Puzhathi , Thottada ,Valapattanam , Varam .Kannur city has, apart from Malayalees and Tamils, a small Konkani, Portuguese , French ,Punjabi and Gujarati speaking population too.
Transport
The West Coast road from Mahe to
Talapady is the backbone of the
road system in Kannur district. This
is part of the National Highway (
NH-17). Kannur - Mattannur - Iritty
Road, Pappinisseri - Pilathara
Road, Taliparambu -
Sreekandapuram Road, Payyannur
- Peringome (Kozhichal) Road,
Thalassery – Kodagu road and the
Thalassery – Mysore road are the
other important roads. The airports
at Mangalore in Karnataka and
Kozhikode are about 125
kilometres away fromare about 125 Kannur. Kannur Airport is coming up at Mattannur is nearing completion. Thalassery, Kannur and Azhikkal are the minor ports in the district. Kannur is an ancient port. The nearest all-weather sea port is Mangalore , presently in Karnataka state name. The inland water transport system connecting Perumba and Thaliparamba was constructed in 1766 by the Ali Raja of Kannur. This 3. 8 km long canal is known as the Sultan' s Canal . The west flowing rivers are used for navigation. The Kuppam river has 244 km of navigable length; Valappattanam, 55 km and Anjarakandi, 23 km. The international airport at Kannur is coming up at Mattanur. [ citation needed ] .
Talapady is the backbone of the
road system in Kannur district. This
is part of the National Highway (
NH-17). Kannur - Mattannur - Iritty
Road, Pappinisseri - Pilathara
Road, Taliparambu -
Sreekandapuram Road, Payyannur
- Peringome (Kozhichal) Road,
Thalassery – Kodagu road and the
Thalassery – Mysore road are the
other important roads. The airports
at Mangalore in Karnataka and
Kozhikode are about 125
kilometres away fromare about 125 Kannur. Kannur Airport is coming up at Mattannur is nearing completion. Thalassery, Kannur and Azhikkal are the minor ports in the district. Kannur is an ancient port. The nearest all-weather sea port is Mangalore , presently in Karnataka state name. The inland water transport system connecting Perumba and Thaliparamba was constructed in 1766 by the Ali Raja of Kannur. This 3. 8 km long canal is known as the Sultan' s Canal . The west flowing rivers are used for navigation. The Kuppam river has 244 km of navigable length; Valappattanam, 55 km and Anjarakandi, 23 km. The international airport at Kannur is coming up at Mattanur. [ citation needed ] .
Devisions
Kannur district
came into existence as an
administrative unit on January 1 ,
1957 , when the erstwhile Malabar
District and Kasaragod taluk of
Madras state were reconstituted
into three revenue districts, viz;
Kannur, Kozhikode and Palakkad .
At the time of its formation, the
district consisted of seven taluks,
viz, Kasaragod , Hosdurg ,
Taliparamba , Kannur , Thalassery ,
North Wayanad and South
Wayanad. Subsequently, the South
Wayanad taluk was included in
Kozhikode district with effect from
15 March 1957. Later, on first
November 1980 , Wayanad district
was formed carving out South
Wayanad and North Wayanad
taluks.The two northern most
taluks of Kannur district, viz;
Kasaragod and Hosdurg were
separated on 24 May 1984 for the
formation of Kasaragod district .
There are nine development blocks
comprising of 82 panchayats. The
development blocks are Kannur ,
Edakkad , Irikkur , Iritty ,
Kuthuparamba , Payyannur ,
Peravoor , Taliparamba and
Thalassery . The Municipal towns in
the district are Taliparamba ,
Kannur , Thalassery ,
Kuthuparamba , Payyannur and
Mattannur . Kannur district has
three taluks, viz., Kannur ,
Taliparamba and Thalassery . The
state legislative constituencies of
the District are: Irikkur , Payyannur
, Taliparamba , Kalliasseri ,
Azhikode , Kannur , Dharmadam ,
Thalassery , Mattannur ,
Kuthuparamba and Peravoor .
came into existence as an
administrative unit on January 1 ,
1957 , when the erstwhile Malabar
District and Kasaragod taluk of
Madras state were reconstituted
into three revenue districts, viz;
Kannur, Kozhikode and Palakkad .
At the time of its formation, the
district consisted of seven taluks,
viz, Kasaragod , Hosdurg ,
Taliparamba , Kannur , Thalassery ,
North Wayanad and South
Wayanad. Subsequently, the South
Wayanad taluk was included in
Kozhikode district with effect from
15 March 1957. Later, on first
November 1980 , Wayanad district
was formed carving out South
Wayanad and North Wayanad
taluks.The two northern most
taluks of Kannur district, viz;
Kasaragod and Hosdurg were
separated on 24 May 1984 for the
formation of Kasaragod district .
There are nine development blocks
comprising of 82 panchayats. The
development blocks are Kannur ,
Edakkad , Irikkur , Iritty ,
Kuthuparamba , Payyannur ,
Peravoor , Taliparamba and
Thalassery . The Municipal towns in
the district are Taliparamba ,
Kannur , Thalassery ,
Kuthuparamba , Payyannur and
Mattannur . Kannur district has
three taluks, viz., Kannur ,
Taliparamba and Thalassery . The
state legislative constituencies of
the District are: Irikkur , Payyannur
, Taliparamba , Kalliasseri ,
Azhikode , Kannur , Dharmadam ,
Thalassery , Mattannur ,
Kuthuparamba and Peravoor .
Economy and Industry
Economy
A majority of the
population of the district is
dependent directly or indirectly on
agriculture for their livelihood. The
main crops grown in the district are
paddy , coconut , pepper , cashew ,
tapioca , arecanut and plantation
crops like rubber . Asia's largest
cinnamon estate producing
cinnamon spice established by Lord
Brown of British East India
company in the year CE 1767 is
located at Anjarakandy in Kannur
district Paddy occupies the largest
area among annual crops. Under
the high yielding variety
programme, substantial increase in
paddy production has been
achieved, even though the
percentage of area sown under
paddy is decreasing year after
year, due to conversion of paddy
fields to other purposes. The
average yield of paddy is recorded
as 2146 kg. per hectare. Next to
paddy, coconut is the most
important crop in the district.
Coconut is extensively grown
throughout the district. An
important cash crop grown in the
district is cashewnut. The district
plays a unique role in its
cultivation and production. The
vast stretches of suitable waste
lands with low fertility status
extends scope for expansion of
cashew cultivation and its allied
industries. Among spices, pepper
occupies an important place.
Pepper is mostly grown as an
intercrop with coconut, arecanut
and various fruit trees. In the hilly
areas of the district, the inter-
cultivation is done with rubber and
cashew. Rubber is the most
important industrial cash crop
among the plantation crops. About
55 % of the rubber cultivation of
Kannur district is in Taliparamba
taluk, followed by Thalassery and
Kannur taluks. The yield of rubber
per hectare varies from 2000 kg to
4000 kg.
Industry
Kannur district
has had industrial importance from
very early days. Being blessed with
a variety of factors such as good
soil, salubrious climate, rich
forests, enormous fishing
potentials, minerals as well as
infrastructural facilities like road,
rail, inland water transport, etc.,
the district offers ample scope for
the development of industries.
Nevertheless, Kannur is an
industrially backward district in the
state. There is only one major and
five mini industrial estates in the
district. Keltron Complex,
Mangattuparamba and Western
India Plywood's, Valappattanam
are the two major industries. The
Western India Plywoods is one of
the biggest wood based industrial
complexes in South East Asia. The
district has 12 medium-scale
industries, most of which are either
cotton textile or plywood
manufacturing. Handloom Textiles,
beedi and coir are the important
traditional industries in the district.
About one lakh people depend on
the textile industry for livelihood.
The textile industry which accounts
for 40 % of all Small Scale
Industrial (SSI) units in the district,
was introduced in early 19 th
century by the German Basel
Mission . The first ready- made
garment unit in Kannur and the
first hosiery unit in Kuthuparamba
were started around the end of the
19 th century. The beedi industry
provides employment to about 50 ,
000 people. The famous beedi co-
operative ‘Dinesh Beedi’ and
Private owned Sadhu Beedi
companies are in Kannur district.
The coir industry which uses
traditional technology provides
employment to about 11 ,000
workers. There are 6934 small
scale industrial units in the district.
The district has 202 sick units
which is about 9.3 % of the sick
units of the state. Only 4828 units
are working now. 162 industrial
societies and four power loom
societies are also functioning here.
Kannur, Thalassery, Payyannur,
Taliparamba and Edakkad have
been identified as growth centers,
having potential for industrial
development.
A majority of the
population of the district is
dependent directly or indirectly on
agriculture for their livelihood. The
main crops grown in the district are
paddy , coconut , pepper , cashew ,
tapioca , arecanut and plantation
crops like rubber . Asia's largest
cinnamon estate producing
cinnamon spice established by Lord
Brown of British East India
company in the year CE 1767 is
located at Anjarakandy in Kannur
district Paddy occupies the largest
area among annual crops. Under
the high yielding variety
programme, substantial increase in
paddy production has been
achieved, even though the
percentage of area sown under
paddy is decreasing year after
year, due to conversion of paddy
fields to other purposes. The
average yield of paddy is recorded
as 2146 kg. per hectare. Next to
paddy, coconut is the most
important crop in the district.
Coconut is extensively grown
throughout the district. An
important cash crop grown in the
district is cashewnut. The district
plays a unique role in its
cultivation and production. The
vast stretches of suitable waste
lands with low fertility status
extends scope for expansion of
cashew cultivation and its allied
industries. Among spices, pepper
occupies an important place.
Pepper is mostly grown as an
intercrop with coconut, arecanut
and various fruit trees. In the hilly
areas of the district, the inter-
cultivation is done with rubber and
cashew. Rubber is the most
important industrial cash crop
among the plantation crops. About
55 % of the rubber cultivation of
Kannur district is in Taliparamba
taluk, followed by Thalassery and
Kannur taluks. The yield of rubber
per hectare varies from 2000 kg to
4000 kg.
Industry
Kannur district
has had industrial importance from
very early days. Being blessed with
a variety of factors such as good
soil, salubrious climate, rich
forests, enormous fishing
potentials, minerals as well as
infrastructural facilities like road,
rail, inland water transport, etc.,
the district offers ample scope for
the development of industries.
Nevertheless, Kannur is an
industrially backward district in the
state. There is only one major and
five mini industrial estates in the
district. Keltron Complex,
Mangattuparamba and Western
India Plywood's, Valappattanam
are the two major industries. The
Western India Plywoods is one of
the biggest wood based industrial
complexes in South East Asia. The
district has 12 medium-scale
industries, most of which are either
cotton textile or plywood
manufacturing. Handloom Textiles,
beedi and coir are the important
traditional industries in the district.
About one lakh people depend on
the textile industry for livelihood.
The textile industry which accounts
for 40 % of all Small Scale
Industrial (SSI) units in the district,
was introduced in early 19 th
century by the German Basel
Mission . The first ready- made
garment unit in Kannur and the
first hosiery unit in Kuthuparamba
were started around the end of the
19 th century. The beedi industry
provides employment to about 50 ,
000 people. The famous beedi co-
operative ‘Dinesh Beedi’ and
Private owned Sadhu Beedi
companies are in Kannur district.
The coir industry which uses
traditional technology provides
employment to about 11 ,000
workers. There are 6934 small
scale industrial units in the district.
The district has 202 sick units
which is about 9.3 % of the sick
units of the state. Only 4828 units
are working now. 162 industrial
societies and four power loom
societies are also functioning here.
Kannur, Thalassery, Payyannur,
Taliparamba and Edakkad have
been identified as growth centers,
having potential for industrial
development.
Kannur Town and City
Kannur town - formerly known as
Cannanore , is a town and the
administrative headquarters of
Kannur District . Kannur City - is a
part of the Kannur town. This area
was the actual downtown in the
olden times, but is now mostly a
residential area.
Cannanore , is a town and the
administrative headquarters of
Kannur District . Kannur City - is a
part of the Kannur town. This area
was the actual downtown in the
olden times, but is now mostly a
residential area.
Beaches
Kannur has several
beaches , some of which are:
Payyambalam Beach : It is the
beach of the Kannur town. It has
an unbroken coastline of a few
kilometres. From the beach, one
can see ships in transit along the
Malabar coast, that is, beyond
Calicut ( Kozhikode ) and moving
towards Mangalore , Goa and
Bombay ( Mumbai ). The well laid
out garden and the massive
landscaped sculpture of mother
and child erected by noted sculptor
Kanayi Kunhiraman makes it
extremely captivating. Baby Beach:
It is called so as it is smaller than
its bigger neighbourhood,
Payyambalam Beach. The famous
St. Angelo Fort is adjacent to it.
Meenkunnu Beach : Situated at
Azhikode, it is a few kilometres
from the town. Mopila Bay :
Situated near the St. Angelo’s Fort,
the Mopila bay has a historical
background. Centuries ago, it was
the seat of Kolathiri Kings. The
Kadalayi Fort and Sree Krishna
Temple were quite famous. The
remnants of the fort and the
temple are still seen in Mopila Bay.
A fishing harbour, built with Indo
Norwegian project assistance, can
be seen at this bay. Kizhunna
Ezhara Beach : 11 km from kannur,
is one of the most secluded
beaches in kerala. Muzhappilangad
Drive-in Beach : is Kerala’s only
drive-in beach [ citation needed ] ,
situated about 5 km north of
Thalassery and 15 km from
Kannur. There is an unpaved road
winding through coconut groves ,
leading to the beach. The beach is
about 5 kilometres long and curves
in a wide area providing a good
view of Kannur beach on the north.
To the South and about 200 metres
away from the beach there is a
beautiful island called the "Green
Island" which adds to the allure of
the beach. Dharmadam Island : (
100 metres away from the
mainland at Dharmadam): The
small 5 acre (20 ,000 m²) island
covered with coconut palms and
dense bushes is a beautiful sight
from the Muzhappilangad beach.
During low tide , one can walk to
the island from the beach. It is
surrounded by rivers and seas .
Permission is required to enter this
privately owned island.
Dharmadam, earlier known as
Dharmapattanam was a Buddhist
stronghold.
beaches , some of which are:
Payyambalam Beach : It is the
beach of the Kannur town. It has
an unbroken coastline of a few
kilometres. From the beach, one
can see ships in transit along the
Malabar coast, that is, beyond
Calicut ( Kozhikode ) and moving
towards Mangalore , Goa and
Bombay ( Mumbai ). The well laid
out garden and the massive
landscaped sculpture of mother
and child erected by noted sculptor
Kanayi Kunhiraman makes it
extremely captivating. Baby Beach:
It is called so as it is smaller than
its bigger neighbourhood,
Payyambalam Beach. The famous
St. Angelo Fort is adjacent to it.
Meenkunnu Beach : Situated at
Azhikode, it is a few kilometres
from the town. Mopila Bay :
Situated near the St. Angelo’s Fort,
the Mopila bay has a historical
background. Centuries ago, it was
the seat of Kolathiri Kings. The
Kadalayi Fort and Sree Krishna
Temple were quite famous. The
remnants of the fort and the
temple are still seen in Mopila Bay.
A fishing harbour, built with Indo
Norwegian project assistance, can
be seen at this bay. Kizhunna
Ezhara Beach : 11 km from kannur,
is one of the most secluded
beaches in kerala. Muzhappilangad
Drive-in Beach : is Kerala’s only
drive-in beach [ citation needed ] ,
situated about 5 km north of
Thalassery and 15 km from
Kannur. There is an unpaved road
winding through coconut groves ,
leading to the beach. The beach is
about 5 kilometres long and curves
in a wide area providing a good
view of Kannur beach on the north.
To the South and about 200 metres
away from the beach there is a
beautiful island called the "Green
Island" which adds to the allure of
the beach. Dharmadam Island : (
100 metres away from the
mainland at Dharmadam): The
small 5 acre (20 ,000 m²) island
covered with coconut palms and
dense bushes is a beautiful sight
from the Muzhappilangad beach.
During low tide , one can walk to
the island from the beach. It is
surrounded by rivers and seas .
Permission is required to enter this
privately owned island.
Dharmadam, earlier known as
Dharmapattanam was a Buddhist
stronghold.
Geography and Climate
Geography
The district lies between latitudes
11ￂ 40 ' to 12° 48 ' North and
longitudes 74ￂ 52 ' to 76° 07 ' East
and covers an area of 2 ,996 km² .
Kannur can be geographically
divided into highland, midland and
lowland regions. Highlands are the
mountainous region forming part
of the Western Ghats and are
covered by rainforests , plantations
of coffee , tea and different types
of spices like cardamom . There
are also timber plantations in this
region. The midland region lies
between the highlands and
lowlands and is made up of
undulating hills and valleys. The
lowland is the narrow stretch
comprising of rivers , deltas and
the coastal region. Six rivers drain
Kannur, the longest being the
Valapattanam river with a length
of 110 km. Other rivers flowing
through Kannur district are
Kuppam, Mahe River, Anjarakandi,
Thalassery, Ramapuram and
Perumba. Climate The district has
a humid climate with an oppressive
hot season from March to the end
of May. This is followed by the
South-West monsoon which
continues till the end of
September. October and November
from the post- monsoon [North-
East Monsoon] or retreating
monsoon season. During the
months of April and May, the mean
daily maximum temperature is
about 35 ° C. Temperature is low in
December and January and the
minimum temperature is about 20
° C. On certain days the night
temperature may go down to 16 °
C , although this is extremely rare.
The annual average rainfall is
3438 mm and more than 80 % of it
occurs during the period of South-
West monsoon. The rainfall during
July is very heavy and the district
receives 68 % of the annual rainfall
during this season.
The district lies between latitudes
11ￂ 40 ' to 12° 48 ' North and
longitudes 74ￂ 52 ' to 76° 07 ' East
and covers an area of 2 ,996 km² .
Kannur can be geographically
divided into highland, midland and
lowland regions. Highlands are the
mountainous region forming part
of the Western Ghats and are
covered by rainforests , plantations
of coffee , tea and different types
of spices like cardamom . There
are also timber plantations in this
region. The midland region lies
between the highlands and
lowlands and is made up of
undulating hills and valleys. The
lowland is the narrow stretch
comprising of rivers , deltas and
the coastal region. Six rivers drain
Kannur, the longest being the
Valapattanam river with a length
of 110 km. Other rivers flowing
through Kannur district are
Kuppam, Mahe River, Anjarakandi,
Thalassery, Ramapuram and
Perumba. Climate The district has
a humid climate with an oppressive
hot season from March to the end
of May. This is followed by the
South-West monsoon which
continues till the end of
September. October and November
from the post- monsoon [North-
East Monsoon] or retreating
monsoon season. During the
months of April and May, the mean
daily maximum temperature is
about 35 ° C. Temperature is low in
December and January and the
minimum temperature is about 20
° C. On certain days the night
temperature may go down to 16 °
C , although this is extremely rare.
The annual average rainfall is
3438 mm and more than 80 % of it
occurs during the period of South-
West monsoon. The rainfall during
July is very heavy and the district
receives 68 % of the annual rainfall
during this season.
Government and Politics
Kannur
was once the nurturing ground and
think tank of the Communist
movement in Kerala, and was
home of the famous communist
leaders A.K. Gopalan (a.k.a AKG)
and E.K. Nayanar , former Chief
Minister (CM) of Kerala. A former
CM of Kerala, K. Karunakaran also
hails from Kannur. Communist
parties have a strong base in this
district. The Communist Party of
India (Marxist) -led Left Democratic
Front (LDF) governs five of six
municipalities in Kannur district.
Around 70 % of the panchayats are
governed by LDF. Panoor ,
Koothuparambu and
Mattanurareas of Thalassery Taluk
in the District has been a hub of
political violence between the
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
(CPI(M)) and the BJP lead RSS
combine. Clashes in 2008 left
seven people killed and many have
been injured. The High court of
Kerala called this manslaughter as
a “ compelling sport” and
suggested permanent deployment
of Central forces in the affected
areas. [ 2 ]
was once the nurturing ground and
think tank of the Communist
movement in Kerala, and was
home of the famous communist
leaders A.K. Gopalan (a.k.a AKG)
and E.K. Nayanar , former Chief
Minister (CM) of Kerala. A former
CM of Kerala, K. Karunakaran also
hails from Kannur. Communist
parties have a strong base in this
district. The Communist Party of
India (Marxist) -led Left Democratic
Front (LDF) governs five of six
municipalities in Kannur district.
Around 70 % of the panchayats are
governed by LDF. Panoor ,
Koothuparambu and
Mattanurareas of Thalassery Taluk
in the District has been a hub of
political violence between the
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
(CPI(M)) and the BJP lead RSS
combine. Clashes in 2008 left
seven people killed and many have
been injured. The High court of
Kerala called this manslaughter as
a “ compelling sport” and
suggested permanent deployment
of Central forces in the affected
areas. [ 2 ]
Indian freedom movement
Kannur
District played an important role in
Indian freedom movement. The
Indian National Congress , which
was founded in 1885 , established
a Malabar District committee in
1908. A branch of the All India
Home Rule League , founded by
Dr. Annie Besant , functioned in
Thalassery during this period and
among its active workers was V.K.
Krishna Menon . By the end of
1939 , a branch of the Communist
Party of India was formally
founded at Pinarayi, a village near
Thalassery . The decision of the
Nagpur Congress to give up
constitutional methods of agitation
and resort to Non-Violent non Co-
operation as a means of achieving
swaraj , led to the widespread
boycott of foreign goods, Courts of
law and educational institutions in
Kannur. Mahatma Gandhi and
Maulana Shaukat Ali toured the
district to carry the message of the
Non-Co-operation and Khilafat
Movements . The Khilafat
movement Moplah Rebellion of
1921 was the uprising of Muslims
against the British for abolishing
the Islamic Chaliphate in west Asia
resulting in the formation of a
secular Turkey. Payyannur
Conference Kannur District came
into the limelight of Kerala politics
in May 1928 , when the fourth All
Kerala Political Conference was
held at Payyannur under the
auspices of the Kerala Provincial
Congress. This conference was
presided over by Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru . The Payyannur Conference
passed a resolution requesting the
Indian National Congress to adopt
“ Complete Independence” instead
of “ Swaraj” as its goal at the
annual session which was
scheduled to take place at Calcutta
(now Kolkata ) during that year.
Civil Disobedience Movement
Payyannur was the main venue of
the Salt Satyagraha , a major
turning point in the Indian
Freedom Movement, in Malabar.
On 13 April 1930 , a batch of
Congress volunteers under the
leadership of K. Kelappan started
on foot from Kozhikkode to the
beaches of Payyannur and broke
the salt laws there on April 21. The
Satyagraha camp at Payyannur was
raided and the campers were
beaten up. The Uliyath Kadav
Payyanur incident became a
turning point in the history of
freedom struggle in Kerala. It
thrilled the people and thousands
were ready to join in the struggle
for freedom. There were
widespread demonstrations in
Kannur, Thalassery and other parts
of the district and a number of
Congress workers were arrested.
The period following the
withdrawal of the Civil
Disobedience Movement witnessed
the emergence of radical wing in
the Kerala Provincial Congress.
Some of the radical elements in
the Kerala Provincial Congress
organized a Kerala unit of the
Congress Socialist Party in 1934
and functioned as a separate
group within the Provincial
Congress. The leadership of this
group was in the hands of persons
like P. Krishna Pillai , A.K. Gopalan
and E. M. S. Namboodiripad . An
extremist group of Nationalist
Muslims also emerged within the
Congress during this period under
the leadership of Muhammad
Abdur Rahiman. The Congress
Socialists and the Nationalist
Muslims made common cause
against the Gandhi an group
known as the Right Wing which was
led by such leaders as K. Kelappan
, C.K. Govindan Nair and K.A.
Damodara Menon. A notable
development in the politics of
Malabar during the thirties was the
rise of the Muslim League [
disambiguation needed ] as a
district political party. It was the
Muslim leaders of Kannur and
Thalassery who played the lead
role in forming this organization.
The leftist elements in the Kerala
Provincial Congress were also
active in the politics of Malabar in
the late thirties. They took an
active part in organizing the
workers, peasants, students and
teachers of Kannur district under
their banner. In the election held
to the Kerala Pradesh Congress
Committee in January 1939 , the
Rightists suffered a severe set
back. Muhammad Abdur Rahiman
Sahib [1] was elected as the
president of the K.P. C.C and E. M.
S. Namboodiripad as its general
secretary. Towards the end of the
same year, a branch of the Indian
Communist Party was formally
founded in Malabar . The Congress
Socialist Party workers joined the
Communist Party en bloc. Morazha
Incident The KPCC gave a call to
the people of Malabar to observe
September 15 , 1940 as Anti-
Imperialist Day. The action was
disapproved by the Congress High
Command, but there were
meetings and demonstrations all
over Malabar on this day. Kannur
district was the centre of this
agitation. There were violent
clashes between the people and
the police at several places and
lathicharge and firing were
resorted to by the police to meet
the situation. Two young men were
killed in a clash between a mob
and a police party at Morazha. The
young men were two police officers
Sub-Inspector K.M Kuttikrishna
Menon and Constable Raman. In
connection with this incident, K.P.
R. Gopalan , a prominent
communist, was arrested on a
charge of murder and later
sentenced to death. But, owing to
the intervention of several top
ranking political leaders including
Mahatma Gandhi, the death
penalty was not carried out. The
Quit India Movement of August
1942 also had its echoes in Kannur
district. A socialist group among
the Congress workers under Dr. K.B.
Menon, provided leadership to the
movement. Peasant struggles The
War period, especially from 1943
to 1945 , had its ravages on the
district. Famine and cholera
epidemic took thousands of lives
from the lower strata of society. On
the initiative of the people under
the leadership of the Kisan Sabha ,
commendable services were
rendered to tide over the crisis.
The “Grow More Food Campaign”
organized at Mangattuparamba by
the Kisan Sabha was a new chapter
in the history of mass movement .
More than 50 acres (200 ,000 m²)
of government land was brought
under cultivation. But the
government suppressed the
movement by force and destroyed
the farm [ citation needed ] .
Though the War ended in 1945 ,
famine continued to haunt the
people. Karivellor,Poomaram (
Thillenkeri) the northern most
village of the present Kannur
district, made a historic stride in
the struggle against poverty and
famine. The transporting of paddy
from Karivellore to Chirakkal
Kovilakom was blocked and
distributed to the people of the
village. The movement was led by
peasant leaders like A.V.
Kunhambu and K. Krishnan Master.
One Kannan and Kunhambu
became martyrs in the struggle
when police opened fire. During
the month of December 1946 , the
people of Kavumbayi, an eastern
village of the district, raised their
demand for punam cultivation . A
strong police contingent was sent
to the spot. The peasants resisted
the armed forces which led to the
killing of five peasants in the
firing. The rise of the organized
working class in the industrial
sector was another important
phenomenon of the period that
changed the course of the anti-
imperialism movement. The
struggle of Aron Mill workers in the
year 1946 is noteworthy in this
regard. Even after independence,
the struggles of the peasantry
formed an important part in the
history of the state. They fought
against landlords and their
exploitation. Places like
Thillankeri, Manayankunnu, Korom
and Paddikkunnu are memorable
in the annals of the peasant
struggles in the post independence
era. The All India Conference of
Kisan Sabha, held at Kannur in
1953 , resolved to initiate
struggles for new tenancy
legislations. The movement for
Aikya Kerala also got momentum
during this period and all sections
of the society rallied under the
movement.
District played an important role in
Indian freedom movement. The
Indian National Congress , which
was founded in 1885 , established
a Malabar District committee in
1908. A branch of the All India
Home Rule League , founded by
Dr. Annie Besant , functioned in
Thalassery during this period and
among its active workers was V.K.
Krishna Menon . By the end of
1939 , a branch of the Communist
Party of India was formally
founded at Pinarayi, a village near
Thalassery . The decision of the
Nagpur Congress to give up
constitutional methods of agitation
and resort to Non-Violent non Co-
operation as a means of achieving
swaraj , led to the widespread
boycott of foreign goods, Courts of
law and educational institutions in
Kannur. Mahatma Gandhi and
Maulana Shaukat Ali toured the
district to carry the message of the
Non-Co-operation and Khilafat
Movements . The Khilafat
movement Moplah Rebellion of
1921 was the uprising of Muslims
against the British for abolishing
the Islamic Chaliphate in west Asia
resulting in the formation of a
secular Turkey. Payyannur
Conference Kannur District came
into the limelight of Kerala politics
in May 1928 , when the fourth All
Kerala Political Conference was
held at Payyannur under the
auspices of the Kerala Provincial
Congress. This conference was
presided over by Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru . The Payyannur Conference
passed a resolution requesting the
Indian National Congress to adopt
“ Complete Independence” instead
of “ Swaraj” as its goal at the
annual session which was
scheduled to take place at Calcutta
(now Kolkata ) during that year.
Civil Disobedience Movement
Payyannur was the main venue of
the Salt Satyagraha , a major
turning point in the Indian
Freedom Movement, in Malabar.
On 13 April 1930 , a batch of
Congress volunteers under the
leadership of K. Kelappan started
on foot from Kozhikkode to the
beaches of Payyannur and broke
the salt laws there on April 21. The
Satyagraha camp at Payyannur was
raided and the campers were
beaten up. The Uliyath Kadav
Payyanur incident became a
turning point in the history of
freedom struggle in Kerala. It
thrilled the people and thousands
were ready to join in the struggle
for freedom. There were
widespread demonstrations in
Kannur, Thalassery and other parts
of the district and a number of
Congress workers were arrested.
The period following the
withdrawal of the Civil
Disobedience Movement witnessed
the emergence of radical wing in
the Kerala Provincial Congress.
Some of the radical elements in
the Kerala Provincial Congress
organized a Kerala unit of the
Congress Socialist Party in 1934
and functioned as a separate
group within the Provincial
Congress. The leadership of this
group was in the hands of persons
like P. Krishna Pillai , A.K. Gopalan
and E. M. S. Namboodiripad . An
extremist group of Nationalist
Muslims also emerged within the
Congress during this period under
the leadership of Muhammad
Abdur Rahiman. The Congress
Socialists and the Nationalist
Muslims made common cause
against the Gandhi an group
known as the Right Wing which was
led by such leaders as K. Kelappan
, C.K. Govindan Nair and K.A.
Damodara Menon. A notable
development in the politics of
Malabar during the thirties was the
rise of the Muslim League [
disambiguation needed ] as a
district political party. It was the
Muslim leaders of Kannur and
Thalassery who played the lead
role in forming this organization.
The leftist elements in the Kerala
Provincial Congress were also
active in the politics of Malabar in
the late thirties. They took an
active part in organizing the
workers, peasants, students and
teachers of Kannur district under
their banner. In the election held
to the Kerala Pradesh Congress
Committee in January 1939 , the
Rightists suffered a severe set
back. Muhammad Abdur Rahiman
Sahib [1] was elected as the
president of the K.P. C.C and E. M.
S. Namboodiripad as its general
secretary. Towards the end of the
same year, a branch of the Indian
Communist Party was formally
founded in Malabar . The Congress
Socialist Party workers joined the
Communist Party en bloc. Morazha
Incident The KPCC gave a call to
the people of Malabar to observe
September 15 , 1940 as Anti-
Imperialist Day. The action was
disapproved by the Congress High
Command, but there were
meetings and demonstrations all
over Malabar on this day. Kannur
district was the centre of this
agitation. There were violent
clashes between the people and
the police at several places and
lathicharge and firing were
resorted to by the police to meet
the situation. Two young men were
killed in a clash between a mob
and a police party at Morazha. The
young men were two police officers
Sub-Inspector K.M Kuttikrishna
Menon and Constable Raman. In
connection with this incident, K.P.
R. Gopalan , a prominent
communist, was arrested on a
charge of murder and later
sentenced to death. But, owing to
the intervention of several top
ranking political leaders including
Mahatma Gandhi, the death
penalty was not carried out. The
Quit India Movement of August
1942 also had its echoes in Kannur
district. A socialist group among
the Congress workers under Dr. K.B.
Menon, provided leadership to the
movement. Peasant struggles The
War period, especially from 1943
to 1945 , had its ravages on the
district. Famine and cholera
epidemic took thousands of lives
from the lower strata of society. On
the initiative of the people under
the leadership of the Kisan Sabha ,
commendable services were
rendered to tide over the crisis.
The “Grow More Food Campaign”
organized at Mangattuparamba by
the Kisan Sabha was a new chapter
in the history of mass movement .
More than 50 acres (200 ,000 m²)
of government land was brought
under cultivation. But the
government suppressed the
movement by force and destroyed
the farm [ citation needed ] .
Though the War ended in 1945 ,
famine continued to haunt the
people. Karivellor,Poomaram (
Thillenkeri) the northern most
village of the present Kannur
district, made a historic stride in
the struggle against poverty and
famine. The transporting of paddy
from Karivellore to Chirakkal
Kovilakom was blocked and
distributed to the people of the
village. The movement was led by
peasant leaders like A.V.
Kunhambu and K. Krishnan Master.
One Kannan and Kunhambu
became martyrs in the struggle
when police opened fire. During
the month of December 1946 , the
people of Kavumbayi, an eastern
village of the district, raised their
demand for punam cultivation . A
strong police contingent was sent
to the spot. The peasants resisted
the armed forces which led to the
killing of five peasants in the
firing. The rise of the organized
working class in the industrial
sector was another important
phenomenon of the period that
changed the course of the anti-
imperialism movement. The
struggle of Aron Mill workers in the
year 1946 is noteworthy in this
regard. Even after independence,
the struggles of the peasantry
formed an important part in the
history of the state. They fought
against landlords and their
exploitation. Places like
Thillankeri, Manayankunnu, Korom
and Paddikkunnu are memorable
in the annals of the peasant
struggles in the post independence
era. The All India Conference of
Kisan Sabha, held at Kannur in
1953 , resolved to initiate
struggles for new tenancy
legislations. The movement for
Aikya Kerala also got momentum
during this period and all sections
of the society rallied under the
movement.
History
The earliest evidence of
human habitation in the district
are rock-cut caves and megalithic
burial sites of the Neolithic age.
The Taliparamba -Kannur-
Thalassery area abounds in rock-
cut caves, dolmens , burial stone
circles and menhirs , all of
megalithic burial order [ citation
needed ] . The district was part of
the Chera kingdom, which ruled
most of Kerala during the first
several centuries CE. Later Kannur
was the capital of the Kolattiri
Rajas , whose kingdom had trading
relations with Arabia and Persia in
the 12 th century and 13 th
centuries. In his book on travels ( Il
Milione ), Marco Polo recounts his
visit to the area in mid 1290 s.
Other visitors included Faxian , the
Buddhist pilgrim and Ibn Batuta ,
writer and historian of Tangiers .It is also said that the ships of Solomon had anchored along the coasts of Kannur to collect timber for building the Temple of the Lord . Kannur also finds mention as Naura in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea , a Greek work of great antiquity. The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama visited Kannur in 1498 , and shortly thereafter it became a Portuguese settlement. The Portuguese led by Don Francisco de Almeda , the
human habitation in the district
are rock-cut caves and megalithic
burial sites of the Neolithic age.
The Taliparamba -Kannur-
Thalassery area abounds in rock-
cut caves, dolmens , burial stone
circles and menhirs , all of
megalithic burial order [ citation
needed ] . The district was part of
the Chera kingdom, which ruled
most of Kerala during the first
several centuries CE. Later Kannur
was the capital of the Kolattiri
Rajas , whose kingdom had trading
relations with Arabia and Persia in
the 12 th century and 13 th
centuries. In his book on travels ( Il
Milione ), Marco Polo recounts his
visit to the area in mid 1290 s.
Other visitors included Faxian , the
Buddhist pilgrim and Ibn Batuta ,
writer and historian of Tangiers .It is also said that the ships of Solomon had anchored along the coasts of Kannur to collect timber for building the Temple of the Lord . Kannur also finds mention as Naura in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea , a Greek work of great antiquity. The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama visited Kannur in 1498 , and shortly thereafter it became a Portuguese settlement. The Portuguese led by Don Francisco de Almeda , the
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Etymology
There are many myths
and legends behind the name
Kannur . It is said to be a
portmanteau derived from two
Malayalam words, ‘Kannan’ (
Krishna ), a Hindu deity, and ‘Ur’ (
place), making it the place of Lord
Krishna . One support for this
theory is that the deity of the
Kadalayi Srikrishna Temple was
originally installed in a shrine at
Kadalayi Kotta in the southeastern
part of the present Kannur town.
According to another version,
Kannur is a derivation of ‘
Kanathur’, an ancient village, the
name of which survives even today
as a ward in the municipality of
Kannur.
and legends behind the name
Kannur . It is said to be a
portmanteau derived from two
Malayalam words, ‘Kannan’ (
Krishna ), a Hindu deity, and ‘Ur’ (
place), making it the place of Lord
Krishna . One support for this
theory is that the deity of the
Kadalayi Srikrishna Temple was
originally installed in a shrine at
Kadalayi Kotta in the southeastern
part of the present Kannur town.
According to another version,
Kannur is a derivation of ‘
Kanathur’, an ancient village, the
name of which survives even today
as a ward in the municipality of
Kannur.
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