Thalassery ( Malayalam: തലശ്ശേരി), also known as Tellicherry, is a city on theMalabar Coast of Kerala, India. This is the second largest city of North Malabar in terms of population. The name Tellicherry is the anglicized form of Thalassery. Thalassery municipality has a population just less than 100,000. Established in 1866, it is the second oldest municipality in the state. Possessing an area of 23.98 km2, Thalassery is a town strategically located on the western coast of Kannur district on the Malabar Coast of Kerala. It is 22 km from the district headquarters at Kannur. The town is situated between 11°44’N latitude and 75°26’E longitude, at an altitude ranging between 2.5m above the mean sea-level in the low-lying areas, to 30m above the mean sea-level in the higher regions.
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, organised by natives of Thalassery; 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 Tellichery.
The British built a seaport in Thalassery through which a variety of spices such as pepper and cardamom were exported. (Thalassery pepper, ground from locally grown pungent black peppercorns, is much sought after by chefs around the world). In 1708, the British builtThalassery Fort by the sea to protect and control the spice trade from the town. A ship wreckage of these merchant caravans is visible near the shore of Thalassery For the ship wrecked in 1806 see Tellicherry (ship)
The square fort, with its massive walls, secret tunnels to the sea, and huge, intricately carved doors, is an imposing structure. The fort, once the nucleus of Thalassery's development, is now an historical monument. In 1781, this fort was attacked unsuccessfully by the ruler and military commander of Mysore, Hyder Ali.
The British also established the district judicial court in Thalassery. During the British rule, jurisdiction of Thalassery 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 1870s.
Thalassery is in Kannur district. The palm-fringed terrain of Thalassery has a scenic coastline and features four rivers, canals and hills with orange-hued rock. One of the four rivers is the Mahé River (Mayyazhi river). During the British Raj, the Mahé River was nicknamed the English Channel, because it separated British-ruled Thalassery from French-ruled Mahé. Muzhappilangad, a 5 km long Drive in beach in fact it's the only Drive in beach in Asia, is located within 6 km of the city centre.
Climate
Thalassery experiences a Tropical wet and dry climate under the Köppen climate classification. The wet season starts in June as the South-west monsoon first hits the coastal Kerala and continues until the end of September. A brief pre-monsoon Mango showers occurs sometime during April. Precipitation from theNorth-East Monsoon sets in during the second half of October through November.
Demographics As of 2001 India census, Thalassery has a population of 99,386, making it the 8th largest city of Kerala in terms of population. 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. The Thalassery urban agglomeration is considered as consisting of the Thalassery municipality and panchayaths of Eranholi, Kadirur, Dharmadam,Muzhappilangad, Pinarayi and New Mahe with a present population of around 200,000.
Thalassery Assembly Constituency
The Thalassery assembly constituency consists of Thalassery Municipality and four neighboring Panchayats namely Eranholi, Kadirur, New Mahe and Chokli. Dharmadam has been excluded from Thalassery recently, becoming a separate constituency.
Thalassery is known as the political and cultural capital of Malabar. Its the centre of progressive political and literary movements. In the colonial era itself Thalassery was the centre of learning in north Kerala. The first Malayalam newspapers, novels and short stories in Malayalam were born here. Earlier, the well known romantic poem in Malayalam, "Veenapoovu" (Fallen Flower) of Kumaran Asan was published from Thalassery. It's also the birthplace of the Communist movement in Kerala. Thalassery has a composite cosmopolitan culture. Rajya Samacharam, the first Malayalam newspaper, was published from Thalassery.
Thalassery is at times referred to as the city of 3 C's, namelyCricket (where Indians first played cricket), Cakes and Circuses.
Thalassery is considered to be the birthplace of the Indian Circus. Keeleri Kunhikannan, born in the city, is known as "the father of Kerala Circus". Circus artists and coaches from Thalassery are very much in demand. India's premier Circus Academy was inaugurated in Thalassery.
Older houses in Thalassery have traditional Kerala architecture, usually large houses with wide verandas and solid wooden doors. Each house invariably has coconut trees, jackfruit, and perhaps papaya, and/or mango trees. The many idyllic suburbs are well defined by the rivers and canals that flow past.
Since long ago Thalassery residents, like other Keralites, have gone abroad, or all over India, in search of work, and to seek their fortunes. It is quite common to find one or more persons from each household living overseas or in other states. This has led to a somewhat dependent money-order economy. It is a matter of concern for the residents on how to diversify and have a self-sustainable and independent local economy. Thalassery is also famous for its cuisine, the Thalassery biryani is famous for its distinguishing taste. The influence of Arabian culture is evident in Thalassery dishes.
Heritage City
The Government of Kerala declared Thalassery a heritage city. A Rs.200 crore project for Thalassery Heritage Tourism Circuit has been announced by the Department of Tourism, Govt.of Kerala. With heritage conservation as the main aim, the new circuit would cover the heritage sites such as the Thalassery Fort, the Sree Rama Temple at Thiruvangad, St. John's Anglican Church, Arakkal Kettu, Jagannatha Temple, Thalassery Pier, Ezhimala Fort, Madayi and Neeliyar Fort, the Annapoorna Temple, Thrichambaram Temple, Sree Rajarajeswari Temple at Thalipparambu, Kanjirangad Temple, Thrikkaikkunnam Temple, Soorya Narayana Temple, Perlasserry Temple, Makreri Temple, Thiruvattoor Temple, Nadal Oorparassikkavu, Thrikkaikunnu Temple, Dharmadam Andaloorkkavu, Thodeekkulam Temple, various mosques in the Arakkal area and the Kakkulangara Mosque.
The project also includes the preservation of the residence of Herman Gundert, the home of renowned communist leader Late A.K. Gopalan at Perlasserry, the historical monuments in Chirackal area and the handloom village at Azhikode. A museum of traditional arts in Thalassery is also envisaged in the project.
Sree Gnanodayayogam, the prominent social organisation of North Malabar and the governing body of Sree Jagannath Temple, Thalassery, was consecrated in 1908 by his Holiness Sree Narayana Guru, in light of centennial celebrations. Sree Varadur Kunhi Kannan visited Guru Dev in December 1904 and suggested that Thiyya Community should have a Temple at Thalassery. Sree Narayana Guru Dev allowed Varadur to invite Kumaran Asan as his representative, and to convene meetings with citizens to ascertain the feasibility of a Temple for the community. Kumaran Asan, who was residing in Bangalore, accepted the invitation, and on his arrival the first meeting was convened at ‘Parambath House’ of Sree Cheruvari Shirastadar on 9 July 1905.The temple is open to people of all religion. (A board on the road leading to the temple, however, reads "Muslims not allowed".)
Sree Andaloor Kavu
Andaloor kavu is well known for the variety of theyyams, the ancient ritual of North-Kerala. It is believed to be the early Buddhist shrine in Kerala. During the festival season the entire Dharmadam village accepts vegetarian diet, they purchase new utensils, clothes and paint their homes. Everyone will be accepted as guests at homes in Dharmadam during the temple feast season, which is also the festival of the village. The guests will be cordially treated with rice flakes and plantains. Villoppikkal (presentation of arrow), meyyalu koodal, kuluthattal etc. are some the rituals performed by the men of the village.
Odathil Palli
In the heart of Thalassery stands the 200-year-old Odathil Palli and the Garden Mosque. The site of the Odathil Palli used to be a sugarcane garden of the Dutch. It changed hands to the British-owned East India Company. Odathil Palli is a destination that tourists and travelers come to see. The highlights of Odathil Palli are that it has the typical Kerala architecture, and it is in the heart of Tellicherry. The crown on the roof is made of gold. The mosque is still in use for worship today.