Malappuram district

For the town with the same name, see Malappuram.

Malappuram district Malappuram
district
Population
• Total	3,625,471

Malappuram District is a district in the south Indian state of Kerala. The district headquarters is at Malappuram.

The district was formed on 16 June 1969.It is unique in that it is the only Muslim majority district in south India.

The area was active during the Independence Movement and was the site of the Moplah Rebellion.

History

The district has a rich cultural and political heritage. Malappuram has seen participation in national movements such as Khilafat Movement or Moplah Rebellion, which was a protest by the Muslims of Malabar against the abolition of the Islamic Caliphate in Turkey by the British. At a national level Mahatma Gandhi supported the Khilafat Movement as an opportunity to draw Muslims to the mainstream Independence Movement. However, the Islamic radicals turned it into a violent movement. Leftist historians have associated the Khilafat Movement as a 'peasant uprising' in Malabar.

Before Indian independence in 1947, Malappuram was a part of Malabar District in the Madras Presidency of British India. The area covered by the present district was administered as a part of Kozhikode, Ernad, Valluvanad and Ponnani taluks. Malabar District remained part of Madras state for some time after Indian independence.

On 1 November 1956, Malabar District was merged with Travancore-Cochin to form the state of Kerala. Large-scale changes in the territorial jurisdiction of this tract took place in 1957 and 1969. On 1 January 1957, Tirur taluk was newly formed, taking portions of Ernad and Ponnani taluks. Another portion of Ponnani taluk was transferred to the newly formed Chavakkad taluk. The residuary portion constitutes present-day Ponnani taluk. Perinthalmanna was a new taluk formed out of the erstwhile Valluvanad taluk. Of these, Ernad and Tirur continued under Kozhikode District and Perinthalmanna as well as Ponnani under the Palakkad District.

The new district of Malappuram was formed with four taluks, Ernad, Perinthalmanna, Tirur and Ponnani, four statutory towns, fourteen developmental blocks and 95 panchayats. Two more taluks, namely Tirurangadi and Nilambur, were formed later by bifurcating Tirur and Ernad taluks.

Geography

The district lies in northern Kerala, and is bounded on the north by Wayanad and Kozhikkode districts, on the northeast by Tamil Nadu, on the southeast and south by Palakkad District, on the southwest by Thrissur District, on the west by the Arabian Sea, and on the northwest by Kozhikode District.

At present Malappuram District consists of 2 revenue divisions, 6 taluks, 135 villages, 14 blocks, 5 municipalities and 100 panchayats.

River

1. Chaliyar On North of this District.Chaliyar Agitation under the leadership of K A Rahman is a success story of a people’s environmental movement in the state of Kerala — perhaps the only one - For the fight against river pollution in this land of rivers which continues in other parts of the state.Four important rivers of Kerala, flow through Malappuram district. They are Chaliyar (Beypore river), Kadalundipuzha, Bharathapuzha and Tirurpuzha. Chaliyar has a length of 169 km and originates from Illambalieri hills in Tamilnadu, important tributaries of this river are Chalipuzha, Punnapuzha, Pandiyar, Karimpuzha, Cherupuzha and Vadapurampuzha. Chaliyar traverses through Nilambur, Mampad, Edavanna, Areekade, Vazhakkad and flows into the sea at Beypore in Kozhikode district.
2. Kadalundipuzha is formed by the confluence of two rivers, the Olipuzha and Veliyar. Olipuzha originates form Cherakomban hill and Veliyar from Erattakomban hill. They flow through the Silent Valley and traverse through Ernad and Valluvanad regions, before flowing into the sea at Kadalundi Nagaram. It passes through places like Melattur, Pandikkad, Malappuram, Pankkad, Parappur, Kooriyad and Tirurangadi. Kadalundipuzha has a circuit course of 130 km.Of these rivers, only Chaliyar is perennial. The other rivers dry up in summer. This is one of the reasons that Malappuram district is prone to draught.
3. In Tirur and Ponnani taluks, kayals (backwaters) like Biyyamp, Veliyancode, Manur, and Kodinhi offer fishing and navigation facilities.

Demographics

According to the 2001 Census, the district has a population of 36,29,640. 17,59,479 males and 18,70,161 females, a ratio of 1063 females for every 1000 males (higher than the state average of 1058 females for 1000 males). The population density is reported 819 per km². Literacy as per the 2001 census is put at 88.61%.

Muslims constitute the majority of the population, followed by the Hindu and Christian communities. The Muslims of Malappuram District are known as Mappilas. A great majority of them are traditional Sunnis following the Shafi School of thought. Many of the social reforms in and around Malappuram District is due to the historical renaissence activities lead by Mampuram Sayyid Alavi thangal, Veliyamkode Umer Quazi, Zainuddin Makhdum Ponnani PMSA Pookoya Thangal Panakkad and other Scholars. Malappuram is the birth place of a number of Muslim scholars and orators.

Legislative constituencies

Mankada, Manjeri, Malappuram, Wandoor, Perinthalmanna, Thirurangadi, Tirur, Tanur, Ponnani, Kottakkal, Vallikunnu, Ernad, Vengara, Thavanur, Kondotty, Nilambur.

Places of Importance

Main article: Places of importance in Malappuram district

There are many places of interest in malappuram district.Some of them are Manjeri,Perinthalmanna,Nilambur,Tanur,Thirunavaya,Kottakkal,Kondotty.

Art and Culture

Malappuram district has a good tradition in the field of art and culture. Many renowned writers and poets hail from this part of the land. Thunjath Ezhuthachan, honoured as the father of modern Malayalam literature was born in Trikkandiyur near Tirur, 400 years ago. Mampuram is a historical place which was involved in anti-British agitation in Malabar in 1921. A grave of Mampuram Thangal who is a leader and scholar of Muslims in Kerala Veliyankode is located here.It is also the birthplace of Omar Qazi, a Muslim scholar and a leader of anti British strikes.The family of Panakkad Thangal is located at Panakkad.

Fairs And Festivals

With a number of Temples, Mosques & Churches Malappuram bounds in fairs and festivals. Some important ones are given below.

Thirumandham kunnu Pooram

Thirumandham kunnu pooram is an important temple festival of central Malabar. Thirumandham kunnu temple is said to be one among the three important Bhagavati temples of Kerala, the others being Kodungallur and Panayarakavu. The pooram festival is during March-April. The cultural feast is the most attractive feature of this festival. The seven day daily pooja attracts thousands of devotees. The famous Mangalya Pooja attracts young women in thousands, who come to pray for a good wedlock. Thirumandham kunnu is 2 Kms of perinthalmanna, in the Kozhikode-Palakkad state highway.

Kottakkal Pooram

Kottakkal, the seat of Ayurvedic treatment is also famous for its temple festival. Kottakkal pooram, celebrated during March-April, is attractive for its cultural festivity. During the seven days, famous classical artists of the country perform here.

Nilambur Pattu

Nilambur Pattu is an ancient festival. Nilambur Kovilakam conducts it during Feburary. Thousands gather to witness this weeklong celebration. The festival is related to ancient war and hunting. Tribal chieftains have important roles in the rituals.

Kondotty Nercha

Kondotty Nercha is a weeklong festival in March. The Nercha is conducted in Pazhayangadi Mosque of Kondotty, constructed in the 18th century AD. The tomb of mohammed shah the Sufi exponent, is close to the mosque. It was constructed in Mughal style. The nercha has an inter religious expression in its ‘Petty Varavu’. Thousands gather during the nercha, which assumes carnival proportion with hectic trade and amusements.

Puthenpalli Nercha

The Andu Nercha of Puthenpalli at Perumpadappu in the southwest border of the district is also famous. Lakhs of devotees attend this annual festival of the mosque. As a part of the festival, Ney Chor (Ghee Rice) is distributed to devotees and the poor.

Omanur Nercha

Omanur Nercha is a famous mosque festival in Malappuram district, celebrated in memory of martyrs. Omaanur is 6 Km away from Kondotty.

Malaparamba Perunnal

The Church festival at Malaparamba near Angadipuram is famous. Church festivals in pariyapuram, Chungathara and Edakkara in summer also attracts plenty of devotees. Small and big religious festivals are conducted in almost all parts of the district during summer. Bakrid, Id-UI-Suha and Muharam of Muslims Thiruvathira and Navarathri of Hindus and Christmas of Christians, along with Onam, common to all are celebrated. An intermingling fragrance of Oppana pattu, Duff, Kaikottikali and Margam kali, prevails all over the district. During Onam, a tourism festival for one week, with a variety of cultural programs is also organized.

• • == Artists ==

• • == CINEMA ==

• • == DRAMA ==

• • == KATHAKALI ==

• VESHAM

• MUSIC

• Kalamandalam Tirur Nambissan
• CHENDA

• MADDALAM

• CHUTTY

• • == CLASSICAL MUSIC ==

• • == MOHINIYAATTAM ==

Industries

As on 31-03-2001, there were 11334 small industrial units with permanent registration. Out of them, 21.21 per cent are agro-based and 22.94 per cent are textile based. These units have a total investment of Rs. 176 cores and they provide employment directly to 45200 people. The average investment per unit is Rs.1.55 lakhs. There are about 696 women’s industrial units and about Rs.1 core is spent annually for various industrial promotion schemes like investment subsidy, interest subsidy, self employment assistance, etc. in the district. There are 25 medium industries of which only 11 are working which provide direct employment to 2,300 people. These units have a total capital investment of Rs. 46 cores. Among the medium undertakings, 3 are spinning mills.

There is one major industrial Estate (16 Industries and 8 mini industrial estate in the District – 51 working units) in the district. About 1,000 persons were assisted under PMRY scheme every year of self-employment scheme. Preliminary steps for establishing an industrial growth centre in 250 acres (1.0 km²) bear panakkad, has been completed. There is a Kinfra Food Park and IT park have at Kakkancherry. There is also a rubber based common facility centre and industrial estate at Payyanad. The estate is spread in an area of 15.03 acres (60,800 m²), in which 32 plots have been given to entrepreneurs for rubber based units. 17 units function at present .

Wood related business are widely seen in Malappuram district. For e.g. at Kottakkal, Edavanna, Vaniyambalam, Karulai, Nilambur and Mampad; there are more than hundred wood related industries. Saw mills, furniture manufactures and timber sales are the most important business in Malappuram district.

There is also a teak museum at Nilambur.

Transport

Air

The Calicut International Airport is at Karippur, 26 km, away from Malappuram The Calicut International Airport is at Karippur, 26 km, away from Malappuram

Rail

Two railways lines, namely Mangalore-Madras and Nilambur-Shornur pass through the district. The former passes through the coastal areas and the latter through the eastern parts of the district.Vallikkunnu, Parappanangadi, Tanur, Tirur, Tirunnavaya and Kuttippuram (from north to South) are railway stations on the Mangalore-Madras line. Nilambur, Vaniyambalam, Thuvur, Melattur, Pattikkad, Angadipuram and Cherukara are railway stations on the Nilambur Shoranur line.

''Link title''=== Road ===

Bus Services are available to all centres and rural areas in the district. 93 schedules are operated by K.S.R.T.C on the main routes besides the 300 long route buses passing through the district. There are 4 K.S.R.T.C bus Stations (Ponnani, Malappuram, Perinthalmanna and Nilambur).

The District has a good road network. National Highway-17 enters the district at Idimuzhikkal in the north and runs through Calicut University, Kottakkal, Valancherry, Kuttipuram, Thavanur, Ponnani, Puduponnani, Veliyancode and ends at Kadikkad, having a length of 82 km. The road proceeds to Thrissur district in the South. National Highway 213 enters at Iykarappadi near Ramanattukara and pass through Kondotty, Malappuram, Perinthalmanna and ends at Karinkallathani. The NH has a length of 68 km. Important State Highways like Kozhikode-Nilambur-Gudalur road, Thrissur-Kuttippuram, Palakkad-Perinthalmanna, Perumbilavu-Pattambi-Perinthalmanna-Nilambur road, Koilandi-Thamarasseri-Edavanna pass through the district. The district has a total of 208.178 km of State Highway and 1220.202 km of major district roads, 102 km of other district roads and 160 km of rural road.Insert non-formatted text here

The Chaliyar, Kadalundipuzha, Bharathapuzha rivers and their tributaries flow through the district necessitating the construction of a number of road bridges. Some of the bridges across these rivers are Kuttippuram bridge, Thutha bridge and Pulamanthole bridge across Bharathapuzha bridges at Kottakadavu, Parakkadav, Thayyilakadav, Panampuzha, Koomankallu, Nooradi, Kottilangadi, Aanakkayam, Melattur, Kalikavu, Olipram Kadavu, Koomankallu, Kuzhipram Kadavu and Panakkadu bridges across Kadalundi river and bridges at Areekode, Edavanna,Mampad, Vadapuram, Myladi, Karimpuzha, Koorad, Kattadikadavu, Cherupuzha, Kadungallur and Poonkudi across the Chaliyar river and its tributaries and bridges at Edakulam, Thalakadathur, Tirur, Unniyal Mangattiri, Ettirikkadavu across Tirur river, Thanur bridge across T.N Canal.

Post And Telegraph

There are two postal divisions, Manjeri and Tirur. Four Head Post Offices, 120 Sub Post Offices and 284 extra department branch Post Offices function in the district. Speed post facility is available at Manjeri, Malappuram, Perinthalmanna, Calicut University, Karipur, Ponnani, Kottakkal, Kuttippuram, and Edappal.

For Telecom Services, Malappuram revenue district come under Malappuram Secondary Switching Area. There are seven divisional offices at Manjeri, Nilambur, Perinthalmanna, Tirur, Ponnani and Parappanangadi.

Mass Communication

Malayala Manorama, Mathrubhumi and Madhyamam dailies have their editions in the district. Prahelika is the only evening daily. A few periodicals-monthlies, fortnightlies and weeklies-mostly devoted to religion and culture are also published. There are some local cable TV channels too. Doordarshan has two relay stations (at Malappuram and Manjeri). All India Radio has an FM station at Manjeri.

References

• Environmental Movement In Kerala[1]
• Legend of the Chaliyar[2]

External links

• Official website of Malappuram district