 CALICUT – WHERE HISTORY SLEEPS
Calicut or Kozhikode as it is known now is the city I was born and brought up. This city has given me everything and has played a big part in my up bringing. This is a city of great historic importance and dates back to AD 1100. Not many archeologists have dug out the exact year when the city was born. It is the only city in my memory to have so many varieties of names; Calicut as called by the British, Chullikkad by the 19 th century people, Kalikoot for the Arabs, Kallikottai for the Tamils and Kalifo by the chineese. The name was officially changed from Calicut (which derived from calico - means a variety of fine cotton) to Kozhikode (meaning fortified palace), although I prefer to call the anglicized version; Calicut.
The legend of city of Calicut began to prosper during the Chera regime. It was then a major centre of trade then. After the fall of Chera Kingdom, Eradi who was the possessor of one of the provinces announced himself as king and named himself Zamorin (commonly known as Samoothiri in Malayalam). The city began to prosper under the zamorin regime and international business took off. Spices and textiles where exported to different parts of the world and many new items were imported here like the European pots and Chineese Ceramics. Then in 1498 a Portugeese fleet arrived at the shores of Kappad, about 20 kilometers from Calicut under the leadership of Vasco-De-Gama. But the Zamorin was reluctant at first place to make friends with the Portugeese. Zamorin, along with some Arab Merchants engaged in a direct Conflict with the Portugeese. Dutch arrived a little later and was in good terms with the Zamorin kingdom. British came next in the early part of seventeenth century. Finally after some time the power of Portugeese and the Dutch was dwindled and British emerged the monopoly. The British was resisted by many of the locals and was once invaded by the King of Mysore, Tipu Sultan. East India Company was formed and finally was in terms with the Zamorins. When India got Independence in 1947, this city was still under Madras State. When the state of Kerala was finally formed in 1956, the district of Calicut was formed. It is one of the three most important cities in Kerala.
Calicut is one of the cities to have blessed with a beautiful coastline along the mighty Arabian Sea. Calicut was one of the first municipalities in pre- independent India and post Independence it became a municipal corporation in 1962. Arabian Sea is located in the western side of the city and to the eastern side is the Sahyadri Mountain Range. Canoli Canal, which was built by a British collector runs through the heart of the city and is one of the major source of irrigation in the city. Many Rivers run through the city like Chaliyar, Kallai, Kora, ponnor etc. Kallai River deserves a special mention because of the world famous timber business along its banks. Calicut also boasts a natural sea port –Beypore which is roughly fifteen km’s from Calicut city. Ships and barges continue to visit Beypore. This port is also famous for the ship building industry; Uru as is it is fondly called was manufactured in the factories of beypore. This huge vessel is a favorite for arab people and still gets orders from the gulf.
Calicut city is divided into many wards, thaluks and panchayats. Corporation House stands proudly facing the beach. Elections to the corporation and the pancayats come once every four years. There are lots of places of Historic Importance in Calicut. S.M.Street or Sweat Meat Street is of great heritage importance and is to till date the favorite shopping center for Calicutites. The sweet meat, which the British coined, was actually our Halwa which was available in plenty in the street. Mananchira or Manavedan Chira is a big pond at the centre of a park. It was constructed by a zamorin and the park is the main relaxation corner for the people. Mavoor Road, named after a place called Mavoor, where the factory of Gwalior Rayons was situated is also a major road in the city. A new venture called Sarovaram – an eco friendly park is the new hot spot in the city. Lots of people gather there in the evenings. Boating is also a major attraction there. The city also hosts a planetarium which helps the people to be in touch with the outer world. Many Sacred Religious places situates in the city premises, Tali Temple, Valayanad Temple, Mishkal Mosque, CSI Cathedral, Jain Temple are some of them.
Influence of the muslim culture can been seen everywhere from food to music and even to languages. The residents of Calicut mostly have a good appetite for delicious food. Biriyani is the famous food item for all the people. Sea food is also an integral part of the cuisine as Calicut is near the sea. The city have its central market and a street called Valyangadi where all the food go downs are present .The city has produced many great personalities in all fields of life. To name a few: M.T Vasudevan Nair, S.K.Pottekatt, Thikkodiyan, P.T.Usha, Kuthiravattom Pappu, M.S.Baburaj etc. Many called the city their second home like Vaikkom Muhammed Basheer who lived in Beypore. Prominent news paper in Malayalam “Mathrubhumi” hosts its headquarters here and has made valiant contribution towards Indian independence movement. City has two major bus stations, railway station and an airport to boast about. University of Calicut is the major educational centre and is situated 20 km’s away from the city. The city also has three major Educational institutions, National Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Management and the Medical College. City also has a corporation stadium where international football matches are held. People here are simply crazy about football and you will see posters of all the teams hanging from all directions during a major football event. Two cyber parks are coming up soon and there is also a KINFRA park at the outskirts of the city. National games are also coming to Calicut and a major part will be conducted here.
The city also has few hitches as well. The conditions of the roads are pathetic and will be waterlogged after a heavy pour. The state of the stadium is in a mess. Disposal of the waste materials are a major problem in the city. People here are not to keen on cleanliness of the city and unless every individual decides to keep his premises clean there will be no solution to this problem. Lots of sky scrapers are booming in the city and people here are slowly but steadily falling into the westernization mode. Malls and huge shopping complexes are already started functioning in the city. If you ask me personally, I like the Calicut of old, slow paced yet very alert and who can miss the beach where we can forget everything by gazing into the sea. Let us not grow up my dear Calicut; O I love this city….
|
