Calicut-The City of Truth

Calicut (Kozhikode) The city of truth has an important place in the world history since the discovery of sea route to India in 1498 by the Portuguese navigator Vasco-Da-Gama.

Calicut (Kozhikode) The city of Truth

The city of Calicut today also has a lot of significance... in building relationships, preserving the culture, maintaining the warmth of hospitality etc... People of the world have always attributed the virtues of truthfulness, openness and the friendliness to the folks who live here. I have a special attachment to this city, its history and people as a family member who carry the legacy of the rulers of this land.

Vasco-Da-Gama visit to the Zamorin's Durbar

From time immemorial Calicut (Kalikooth) was the most known city in the south western coast of India. Calicut traded with Romans, Arabs, Mongoles, Africans, Chinese and finally with Europeans. When we look at this uniqueness with modern mind's perception we realise that its not only because of the tactics and skills of the traders and rulers of this coast but also due to the openness, truthfulness and the compassion of the people of Calicut.

The story of an Arab Merchant who left his urns and jars containing gold with the ruler of Calicut for 12 years for safe custody is a heart touching story which establishes the honesty and truthfulness of the people and its ruler. This story very much establishes the character of the place. To supplement this story we could see here even today a magnificent Mosque which was built by an Arab merchant centuries ago.

Mishkal Palli, Kozhikode

Mishkal Palli (Mosque), Kozhikode bulit in 1300 AD by the rich Arab businessman and ship owner named Nakhooda Mishkal is the testimony of the religious tolerance and harmony of the people of Calicut.

The sweet meat street

Calicut Halwa

Today also Calicut is a busy trading centre. The sweet meat street where you see the sweets of various tastes and colour is a promenade near beach where people of different ethnicity come together to see, experience and they carry back memories for a life time. I have always enjoyed window shopping in this street along with 'bird watching'. Every evening the street fills with the aroma of fresh coconut oil, fried banana chips, fresh ghee mixed with the fragrance of Jasmine flowers.

Mananchira Square

Mananchira square and pond where people assemble for gatherings in the city has a great tale to tell us. This lung of the city is named after its rulers. The name Mananchira derived from the erstwhile rulers names Manavikrama/Manaveda's pond (Chira) where the rulers used to wash their blood stained weapons after every war. It was used by Soldiers for bathing also.

Revathi Pattathanam (Scholarly Court ) Conducted in front of Calicut Thali Temple is an annual event

The passion for literature, Arts, Cuisine etc...are very loud for the city of Calicut. The scholars and writers where always revered and respected by the folks of Calicut. The dynamic legacy of the scholarly court Revathi Pattathanam which was established by erstwhile Zamorin's from 14th century holds testimony to this. Pattathanam camp was a consortium of eminent scholars where their talents and potentials were tested with strict observation and rigorous evaluation. The Degree of 'Bhattar' was deemed to the best scholar of the times always. Surprisingly in the recent times the ritual/festival which where gone to ashes has been resurrected by the present generation of intellectual rigour based in Calicut. The legacy of love for literature is carried forward by the common men of Calicut even today. They are aware of the history of literature of Calicut. Their love towards the writers (Especially from Calicut) is evident in the monuments and sculptures erected in many junctions and corners of the city of Calicut.

Statue of S.K.Pottakad

Stalwarts in the Malayalam literature who lived in Calicut and who opted to live in Calicut are many. Ranging from S.K.Pottakad, M.T.Vasudevan Nair, N.P.Muhammed, Vaikom Muhammed Bhasheer, Punathil Kunjabdulla, Thikodiyan etc...are few.

The unprecedented efforts of D.C.Books, the largest publishing house of Kerala will also be known in annals of history of Indian literature for hosting Kerala Literature Festival at Calicut every year. This year (KLF 2018) is happening in Calicut on 8th to 11th of February at Calicut beach.

Story of Calicut is very long. More stories to follow in the next blog...