Thalassery

Thalassery(Malayalam:[t̪ɐlɐʃ(ː)eːɾi]), formerlyTellicherry (colonial name),is a commercial city and municipality on theMalabar CoastinKannur districtin the state ofKerala, India, bordered by thedistrictsofMaheandKozhikode. Thalassery municipality has a population of just under 100,000 as of 2011census.Thalassery Heritage City has an area of 23.98 square kilometres (9.26 sq mi). Thalassery has an altitude ranging from 2.5 to 30 metres (8 ft 2 in to 98 ft 5 in) above mean sea-level. It is located 25 km (15 mi) fromVadakara, 15 km (10 mi) fromMahéand 22 km (13 mi) fromKannur.
Tellicherry municipality was formed on 1 November 1866 according to the Madras Act 10 of 1865 (Amendment of the Improvements in City act 1850)of theBritish Indian Empire, making it the second oldest municipality in the state. At that time, the municipality was known as Tellicherry Commission and Tellicherry was the capital ofNorth Malabar. G. M. Ballard, theMalabarcollector, was the first president of the municipal commission. A European barrister, A. F. Lamaral, would later become the first Chairman of Thalassery municipality.Thalassery grew into a prominent place during European rule, due to its strategic geographic location.Thalassery has played a significant historical, cultural, educational and commercial role in the history of India, especially during the colonial period. On 9 February 2014, Thalassery taluk was split in twoandIrittytaluk was formed. The northeastern hilly region of the former Thalassery Taluk, includingPeravoor, Aralam, Ayyankunnu,Kottiyoor, andKelakam, are within theIrittyTaluk area.
The nameThalasserylikely originated from a combination of theDravidianwordsThala(Head) andcheri(low lying settlement), meaning 'starting place of a settlement' or 'head of a settlement'. It could also have emerged fromTalakkathe cheri, a combination ofTalakkathe(upper or north) andCheri(settlement).
The second volume of the 1885 administration manual of the former Madras Presidency cites, which includes information on the research of regional legends and folklore, indicates that the nameThalasseryin ancientSanskrit literaturewas Shwetaranyapura.
Thalassery was a trade hub whereDutch,British,Portuguese,Chinese,Arab, andJewishtraders had considerable influence in the spice market.
The British established a trading post and built a factory at Tellicherry in 1694, having gained permission from Vadakkalankur, theprince regentof the Raja of Kolathunad. They had already been trading on theMalabar coastfor much of that century, buying pepper from merchants, and had established a similar post atTravancoreten years earlier.
In 1761, the British capturedMahe, which lies adjacent to Thalassery, and the settlement was handed over to the ruler ofKadathanadu.The British restoredMaheto the French as a part of the 1763 Treaty of Paris.In 1779, the Anglo-French war broke out, resulting in the French loss ofMahe.In 1783, the British agreed to restore to the French their settlements in India, andMahewas handed over to the French in 1785.
After the annexation of Malabar, the British called upon Thalassery, the royal families and other major Nair and Namboothiri feudal lords to return, but this was heavily opposed by some local rulers. Along with heavy taxation and laws that curbed free movement, the appeal resulted in multiple uprisings against the British with heavy casualties to British forces. Thousands of soldiers were killed, but the resistance was eventually defeated.
Thalassery lies on the west coast of theIndian subcontinent, in the northern part ofKerala State. The city has Dharmadam Panchayat in the north, Eranholi and Kodiyeri in the east New Mahe in the south and theArabian Seaon the west. The palm-fringed terrain has a scenic coastline and features four rivers, canals and hills with orange-hued rock. One of the four rivers is theMahe River(Mayyazhipuzha). During theBritish Raj, the Mahe River was nicknamed theEnglish Channelbecause it separated British-ruled Thalassery from French-ruledMahe. Other rivers are Kuyyali River, Ummanchira River andAnjarakandi River.Muzhappilangad Beach,the sole beach where driving is possible in Kerala (with a 4 km long drivable area),is located within 6 km from the downtown part of Thalassery.
Unlike southern Kerala, the region of Thalassery does not have lagoons, although many rivers flow through it. Thalassery however has a large area of mangroves, which is now being protected. The coast has no delta formation. The coastal plain is only a few kilometres in width and is bordered by highlands. The north of Thalassery is Dharmadam, an island area surrounded by two rivers and the sea. On the eastern side, hilly areas start from Kuthuparamba.
As of the 2001 India census,Thalassery had a population of 92,558, making it Kerala's eighth largest city in population. Males constituted 47% of the population and females 53%. The city had an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Both male and female literacy were 86%. In Thalassery, 10% of the population were under 6 years of age.
The Thalassery urban agglomeration consists of the Thalassery municipality and panchayaths ofEranholi,Kadirur,Dharmadam,Muzhappilangad,PinarayiandNew Mahewith a present population of around 300,000.
Hindus made up 61.37% of the population, followed by Muslims (34.30%), and Christians (3.64%).
Thalassery is nicknamed the city of three Cs -- Cake, Cricket and Circus. The first bakery in Kerala was established in the city and cricket was first played in India here. The British had considerable impact on local culture. As an ancient trade center, the trading and business relations that existed with the Europeans and the Arabs brought people and ideas from many other lands. The EuropeanChristian missionariesand the educational reforms they brought played an important role in transforming society.
The Government of Kerala has included Thalassery in its heritage city project. The project includes the preservation of historical structures.Thalassery cuisine(a blend of Arabian, Persian, Indian and European styles of cooking) is popular around the world. Thalassery biryani is popular as an ethnic brand, and Tellicherry pepper is also used in Europe.
Painting and sculpture exhibitions are frequently held at theKerala Lalithakala Akademiart gallery located in Keezhantimukk, Thiruvangad.
Theyyam(or Thirayattam) is a ritual performance art formthat depict the cultural heritage of North Malabar, especially of ancientKolathunad. Theyyam depictsShiva bhutaganas,Kaliand other deities and cultural heroes and ancestors of the region. The drama is enacted based on ancient stories and the language used is "Tottam pattu", north Malabar dialect of Malayalam. Theyyam is usually held from October to May every year. The colour of Theyyam,  is typically red.Velan, a reporter and prophet endowed with supernatural powers in Veriyatal is described in theSangam literature500 CE. It could have been a tribal ritual art which evolved under Buddhism and the Brahminic revival of Hinduism. This art form is called, variously, "Kaliyattom" or "Theyyam" or "Tirayattom", depending on the locality.
The first Malayalam short storyVasanavikritiwas written byVengayil Kunhiraman Nayanarin Thalassery.Indulekha, the first major Malayalam novel was published from Thalassery.Veenapoovu, the poem byKumaran Asanwas also published from Thalassery. Thinker and oratorM N Vijayanspent a lifetime in Thalassery. Thalassery is also home to writerN. Prabhakaran. Actor and screenwriterSreenivasanhails from Thalassery.
William Loganwas said to be fluent inMalayalam,TamilandTelugu. He is remembered for his 1887 guide to theMalabar District, popularly known as theMalabar Manual.
Rajyasamacharamand Paschimodayam (the first two Malayalam newspapers) were published from Illikunnu, Nettoor in Tellicherry in 1847 byHermann Gundert, who was the editor of the journal and was a religious propagator from theBasel Evangelical Mission Society (BEMP).Rajyasamacharam started publishing from Illikkunnu in Thalassery City.
Vishnu Pant Chhatre's Great Indian Circus, established in 1880 in Bombay, was the first circus establishment in India. A tour of Thalassery led to the meeting of Chhatre withKeeleri Kunhikannan, a martial arts trainer.Keeleri Kunjikannan established the first dedicated circus school in India in 1901. He is known as "the father of Kerala Circus". A circus academy was inaugurated in Thalassery in 2010.
Thalassery is known for itsbiryani(in local dialect, biri-yaa-ni)Unlike other biriyani cuisines,Thalassery biryaniusesKaima/Jeerakasalarice instead of the usualbasmati rice.Porridgessuch asmutaari kachiyatu(ragi porridge) are also popular.
The spice trade from the Malabar coast which began around 1500 BC is still active.
In 1800,Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellingtonmade Thalassery (then Tellicherry) his base. Wellesley and his colleagues played cricket in the town maidan, often watched by bystanders, who would help the English officers whenever they were short of players. They played were from thedhobicommunity and the fishermen who lived along the beach. In 1830, the Tellicherry Cricket Club (TCC) was formed. By the 1930s Thalassery had become a major cricket centre. Many teams used to visit the town for matches. The earliest record of a cricket match in Thalassery is a report inMalayala Manoramain 1890. It's about a match between Thalassery and the neighbouring town of Kannur.
Thalassery Stadium, located close to the sea, hostsRanji Trophycricketmatches quite often. Wellesley is believed to have introduced this game in Kerala in the 18th century for British soldiers garrisoned in the Tellichery Fort.India's first cricket club, which was later named the Town Cricket Club, was formed in 1850 at Tellichery by Wellesley.The Tellichery Cricket ground was the hub of cricket activities during this period. An exhibition match was conducted in there to raise funds during theFirst World War.
The educational renaissance of Malabar started from Thalassery due to the influence of European missionaries.Government Brennen College, Thalassery, founded in 1862, is one of the oldest educational institutions in India.
Kannur UniversityThalassery Campus is located at Palayad, 6 km north of Thalassery.TheBasel Evangelic Mission Parsi High schoolis an English Medium school (established 1856) in Malabar. Dr.Hermann Gundertwas a tutor there. Kaikose Ruderasha, aParsi, donated funds to build the institute with the assistance of German missionaries.
Other educational institutions includeSports Authority of IndiaCentre,Nettur Technical Training Foundation,St Joseph's Higher Secondary School,Sacred Heart Girls High School, andBasel Evangelical Mission Parsi High School.
Thalassery Railway Stationoperates under the Palakkad Railway Division of the Southern Railway. It is a Class 'A' railway station. It is on theShoranur–Mangaloreline. No direct line connects Thalasery to Mysore, although a feasibility study for such a route was funded in 2013.
The nearest airport isKannur International Airport, located 24 km east from the town.Calicut International Airport100 km,Mangalore International Airport170 km andCochin International Airport235 km could be alternate choices.
Kanyakumari-MumbaiNH-66passes through Thalassery. Kozhikode is 66 km from Thalassery. Mangalore is 150 km from Thalassery. Interstate highway, Thalassery-Coorg Road (SH-30) is a major road linking Kerala toKodagudistrict ofKarnatakaState.  Interstate buses ply on this route in a frequency of one in an hour.The hill stationsVirajpetinKodaguandMananthavadyinWayanadare 82 km away from the town. Regular buses toBengaluru, which is at a distance of 310 km from Thalassery, operate on a daily basis.
The Thalassery-Mahe bypass, a six-lane highway inaugurated by Prime MinisterNarendra Modiin March 2024, significantly enhances connectivity betweenMuzhapilangadinKannurdistrict and Azhiyoor inKozhikodedistrict.
The Thalassery carnival, the beach fest in Muzhappilangad beach and Dharmadam beach are notable attractions.The area's four rivers (Anjarakkandi, Dharmadam, Koduvally and Mahe) around Thalassery town and other beaches in the area also attract visitors.
Muzhappilangad beach is a 5.5 km long beach where it is possible to drive vehicles. This beach was listed as one of the top 10 drive-in beaches in the world by a BBC survey.
It is an important center of Kalari Payattu and health tourism.Other visitors come to experience Theyyam and explore the area's history, such asTellicherry Fort.
Thalassery Pier(Kadalpaalam),Overbury's Folly,Pazhassi Damand Reservoir gardenand Malayala Kala Gramam, New Mahe,(7 km from Thalassery)are other attractions. A shipwreck is visible near the Thalassery shore.
The area is an epicenter of political violence between the RSS and Communists.Communist Party of India (Marxist)(CPI(M)) and theRashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh(RSS) have been fighting in this area for supremacy for the last 50 years.  Clashes in 2008 left seven people killed and many have been injured. TheHigh Court of Keralacalled this manslaughter a "compelling sport" and suggested permanent deployment ofCentral forcesin the affected areas.
Thalassery experiences atropical monsoon climateunder theKöppen climate classification. Thewet seasonstarts in June as the southwest monsoon first hits the coastal Kerala and continues until the end of September. A brief pre-monsoonmango showersinterval occurs sometime during April. Precipitation from the northeast monsoon sets in during the second half of October through November.