Thalassery
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Thalassery
Kerala, India |
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 Thalassery
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| District(s) | Kannur |
| Coordinates | |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
23.96 km² (9 mi²) • 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population • Density • Sex ratio |
99,386 (2001) • 4,148/km² • 1000:1125 |
| Municipality Chairman | K.P.Raveendran |
| Codes • Postal • Telephone • UN/locode • Vehicle |
• 670 xxx • +91 (0)490 - • IN TEL • KL 13 - |
| Thalassery is located in the southern part of Kannur District | |
Thalassery (തലശ്ശേരി), also known as Tellicherry, is a city on the Malabar Coast of Kerala, in southern India. It is 21 km from the district headquarters at Kannur. Tellicherry is the anglicised form of Thalassery. Thalassery municipality has a population just less than 100,000. Thalassery municipality is a part of the urban agglomeration of Kannur.
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[edit] Geography
Thalassery is situated in the Kannur District. The geography of Thalassery is adorned with four rivers, hills and a long coast line. One of the four rivers is the Mahé (Mayyazhi) river. During the British rule, the Mahé river was nicknamed the English Channel, because it separated British-ruled Tellicherry from French-ruled Mahé. Muzhappilangad, a 5 km-long pristine beach, is located within 10 km of the town centre.
[edit] History
[edit] Early history
The Chera dynasty that ruled Kerala from the ninth century declined by the beginning of the 12th century. The kingdom then broke into smaller regions under local chieftains. This led to the formation of provincial entities such as Venadu, Kolathunadu, Kochi and Kozhikode. Thalassery was the northernmost place in Kolathunadu, and was called "Thalakkathe" (which means "northernmost" or "topmost" in the Malayalam language) + "cheri" (which means "place"), which was later abbreviated to Thalassery.
[edit] British influence
The British established their presence in Kerala in 1682, when they obtained permission from the Vadakkilamkur Prince of Kolattunad, to settle at Thalassery. In the following years, the British presence in the state of Kerala strengthened. During this period, there were many organised revolts held by the natives of the region against the empire. Among them was the revolt of 1704, that the natives of Thalassery organised, but this revolt was quickly crushed by the British forces due to its localised, non-nationalistic nature.
Due to its coastal location, the town of Thalassery was a major commercial centre during the British rule of India. During the British rule, the Malayalam name Thalassery was anglicised into Tellicherry.
The British built a seaport in Tellicherry through which a variety of spices such as pepper and cardamom were exported. (Tellicherry pepper, ground from locally grown pungent black peppercorns, is much sought after by chefs around the world). In 1708, the British built Thalassery Fort by the sea to protect and control the spice trade from the town. The square fort, with its massive walls, secret tunnels to the sea and intricately carved huge doors, is an imposing structure. The fort was once the nucleus of Thalassery's development. It is now a historical monument. In 1781, this fort was attacked unsuccessfully by the Indian ruler and military commander Hyder Ali of Mysore.
The British also established the district judicial court in Tellicherry. During the British rule, jurisdiction of Tellicherry Court extended up to Mysore.
One of the popular tourist spots in the town, Overbury's Folly, was built by E. N. Overbury a local British judge in the 1870's.
[edit] Culture of Thalassery
Thalassery is at times referred to as the city of cricket, cakes and circuses.
Thalassery is considered to be the birth place of the Indian circus. Keeleri Kunhikannan is a legend in the history of circus. The circus artist and coaches from Thalassery are very much in demand. There is also a proposal to start a circus school, which will give employment opportunity for many persons. This could serve as recruitment ground for circus companies. There is also scope for earning foreign exchange as the circuses are very popular in other countries. The cultural exchange programme with Russian performers by Jumbo Circus was well-received.
Rajya Samacharam, the first Malayalam newspaper, was published from Thalassery.
[edit] Educational institutions
Thalassery is home to Brennen College, one of the oldest educational institutions in the region. The college evolved from a school established by English philanthropist Edward Brennen, who had made Thalassery his home. This college, which is more than 100 years old, is one of the premier educational institutions in Kerala. In December 2004, the government of Kerala decided to bestow the status of university on Brennen College.
NTTF (Nettur Technical Training Foundation), one of the premier technical institutions of India with branches across the country, was founded in Thalassery in 1961 by Swiss missionaries.
College of Engineering, Thalassery was established in 2000 and offers Bachelor of Technology courses in information technology, computer science and engineering, electronics and communications engineering, mechanical engineering and electrical and electronics engineering.
Mambaram Higher Secondary School (MHSS) and Mambaram English Medium School (MEMS) promoted by Mr. Mambaram P. Madhavan are located 10kms from Thalassery and 20kms from Kannur. Mambaram Higher Secondary School was founded in 1983 and is one of the biggest (and best) schools in the entire state of Kerala. Principal Mr. C. V Thilakaraj of MHSS won the President of India's medal for honorary services in 2005. Mambaram English Medium School (CBSE) was founded in 1991 and is located on the Kuthuparamba Road. GOVT.Vcational higher secondary school kadirur is located 8kms from thalassery.
[edit] Cricket
The Thalassery Municipal Cricket Ground (see Thalassery Stadium) hosts the Ranji Trophy cricket matches quite often. On this ground, the first ball was bowled in the early 1790s, thanks to Colonel Arthur Wellesley, who brought the game to this Malabar region town. Famous English cricketer Colin Cowdrey's father was a tea planter in Tellicherry and he used to play cricket in Tellicherry during 1890s, and is credited to have laid decent a cricket pitch here, in the early 1900s. Colin Cowdrey, played in Thalassery during the British regime.
In the year 2002, Thalassery cricket ground celebrated its 200th birthday by hosting a match between the former cricketers of India and Sri Lanka.
[edit] Famous personalities
- C. V. Devan Nair, the third president of Singapore, hailed from Thalassery.
- Oyyarathu Chandumenon, author of the Malayalam novel, Indulekha was also from Thalassery.
- Herman Gundert, a German missionary who lived in Thalassery, wrote the first English-Malayalam dictionary in 1872.
- Sanjayan (M. R. Nair), a Malayalam satirical essayist and contemporary social critic was from Thalassery.
- Vengayil Kunchiraman Nayanar who wrote first Malayalam Short story was from Thalassery
- Keeleri Kunchikannan Teacher fondly called as"The Father of Indian Circus" was from Thalassery
- Professor K Damodaran Founder of Kamala Circus, The first 3 ring circus in India.
- A.K.Gopalan ,(A.K.G) one time Opposition Leader in the Lok Sabha was from Thalassery
- Kannavam near by Thalassery is the Native Place (Tharavadu) of Former Kerala Chief Minister Mr. K. Karunakaran
- V.P.Satyan, the former Captain of Indian Football Team hailed from Thalassery
- Keyi Family, a historically prominent trading family of north Malabar region has its roots in Thalassery.
- Moorkoth Ramunni, the first pilot and flying instructor from Kerala of the Indian Air Force is from Thalassery.
- A.K. Khader Kutty Sahib, founder of the world renowned Western India Plywoods is from Tellicherry.
- Padmini, the famous Tamil actress of yester years was married to Dr Ramachandran who hailed from Thalassery.
[edit] Transport
- By air: The nearest airport is at Kozhikode International Airport, Kozhikode, about 93 km south.
- By rail: Thalassery railway station is a main line station at which almost all trains stop. Kannur railway station is well linked to major towns up country as well as within the state.
- By road: NH-17 passes through Thalassery. Kozhikode is 67 km away from Thalassery.
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Thalassery had a population of 99,386. Males constitute 47% of the population and females 53%. Thalassery has an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 86%, and female literacy is 86%. In Thalassery, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] Places of Interest
- Sree Ramaswami temple
- Overbury's Folly
- Odathil Palli
- Thalassery Pier (Kadalpaalam)
- Thalassery Fort
- Thalassery Stadium
- Centenary Park
- Dharmadam Island
