Enchanting Kerala

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Burgeoning Heritage

Malappuram- The proud abode of Kerala’s heritage 

Behold the mastery and dexterity of the sculpture etched with microscopic details of every ebb and flow on Deodar woods.  Seek to resurrect the grandiose cultural heritage that seems to have left its footprints peppered throughout the God’s Own Country, then venture into the heart of Malappuram which lies at the northern part of Kerala. 

Breeze into the Nerunkaithakotta at Vallikunnu near Kadalundi and find yourself enchanted with the exactness of the sculptural elegance carved on Deodar woods. The Baalakaandam at Nerunkaithakotta is an absolute wonder, inspired by the Great Indian epic, Ramayana. It captures vividly each moment of the epic into a sculptured cinema frame. The very curls and pearls are etched out in perfection that Rama, Sita, Ravana, and the epic battle quickens to life here. 

The Thunchan Parambu, Melpathur Smarakam, and Poonthanam Illam boast of the rich scholastic amplitude that escalated through these three great literary geniuses. Walk into these symposiums of literature, art and architecture, and explore the lives of these mighty minds. 

Located at Tirur, 32 km from Malappuram Thunchan Parambu, erected in memory of the divine poet, Thunchath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan who has been hailed as the father of Malayalam Language. The memorial has been carefully preserved for posterity with items like the iron stylus used by the poet kept on display. The ancient Kanjira tree (Nux vomica), the bronze sculpture of Thunchan’s ‘Payinkili’ and the granite Saraswathi Mandapam along with a library of rare manuscripts are some of the treasured exhibits here. 

The white marble statue of Melpathur Narayana Bhattathirippadu smacks of an enigmatic aura and a divine serenity at Kurumbathur near Puthanathani. Melpathur Narayana Bhattathirippadu was a renowned Sanskrit grammarian, astrologer, astronomer and mathematician of his time. Here you can discover the enchanting story of this poet behind his creation of Narayaneeyam, a quintessence of Bhaagavatham and considered to be a milestone in the Malayalam literature. 

On the way to Nilambur to Perinthalmanna at Keezhattur stands the temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the backdrop of abundant Palmyra trees. Adjacent to this is the Poonthanam Illam which is a feast to the eyes with its temple style architecture amidst the golden streak of paddy fields. Poonthanam Namboodiri, a popular devotional poet and a contemporary of Melpathoor who is remembered for his great work Jnanappana, literally means the song of wisdom. 

Plunge into awe at the spacious front yard, ootupura and naalukettu, mysteriously unravished by time at the Elamkulam Mana, on the banks of the Kundhi River, which fostered the great Communist leader E.M.S. Namboodiripad, the first Chief Minister of Kerala. At Vallikkappatta 7 km off from Manjery awaits you the Poonkudil Mana, which gleams the legacy of Naraanathu Bhranthan who was  a mysterious figure in Malayalam folklore it remembered for his supposed eccentric activity of rolling a stone up a hill and letting them roll down. His lunacy was an allegorical way of social critiquing. One can assure a fleeting delight to the curious and the exciting minds at the Poonkudil Mana. 

Seep into an intense spiritual experience at the Aazhavancheri Mana through the Aazhavancheri Thambrakkal, who are deemed to be the custodians of justice, divinity and culture. Aazhavancheri Thamprakkal enjoyed the status as the supreme religious head of the Namboodiri Brahmins of Kerala and for every Raja to be formally crowned, his blessings were required. Boasting of the age old cultural legacy and the austerity of life the Mana now stands majestically as a symbol of many rituals, religious or dynastic practiced in the yester years. 

Enjoy the unique Ishals of Mappila Pattu celebrating a distinct cultural identity at Mahakavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Smarakam at Kondotty. Moyinkutty Vaidyar is historically considered as one of the most renowned and authentic poets of the Mappila pattu genre of Malayalam. This cultural centre conducts the Vaidyar Mahotsavam annually, a two or three day festival that includes cultural and literary programmes related to all Mappila art forms. 

The grand cultural legacy of Malappuram is matchless and a visit to the rare architectural wonders of this land will blaze the golden sands of history into life.