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Kannur- The Land of Hand- looms and Martial arts. |
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Kannur- The Land of Hand- looms and Martial arts. |
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Kannur- The Land of Hand- looms and Martial arts.Kannur which comes in the northern tip of Kerala was stage of major event that took place in the history of kerala . The rock-cut caves found near Thaliparambu points towards human habitations in this area since megalithic era. As per the available history fron 9th cenury AD The Chera dynasty were ruling this area and the most famous among them was the Kulasekhara Varma. Of late the Kolathiri dynasty were found to have established their superiority. The Kolathiri dynasty which had a love-hate relationship with the Zamorins of Calicut and there were frequent skirmishes between the two. At times both have colluded in confronting the misdeeds of the Portuguese. The Portuguese smart as they were succeeded on clinging in the region until they were cornered by the Dutch in February 1663. Their fort- (fort Angelos) was captured by the Dutch and another era was bourn- gradually the Kolathiri dynasty dis-integrated giving rise a vacuum that was filled by the French. They ( In 1725) captured Mayyazhi and renamed it as Mahe after one of their national hero. Then came the turn of Hyderali and later his son Tippu sultan. (the great conquerors from Mysore) to take central stage in the history of Malabar and both did it with panache. The army of the Sultans ruled the roost by transforming the entire political and religious land - scape of Malabar. The local chieftains were all migrating to far flung areas for fear of their lives. To an extend the repressed class got a relief as their oppressors fled for life. Conditions were rife for another strong man to enter as history allows no vacuum , it was the turn of the British to fill the vacuum. They came for trade but another “trade” more covetable- engaging in local politiking and becoming the rulers.
The above paragraph is only the history of Malabar in the centre of which comes Kannur. Kannur is the land of Kalarippayattu (the local martial art which is supposed to be the mother of “karate” the well known Japanese form of martial art. The former word of karate “kara” means hand in Malayalam – Karate is a fight using hand. The well known schools teaching martial art are still found here and there in Malabar. Folklore Malabar are mostly of the heroes of martial arts who fought great wars some won some dead. The flexible weapon known as the “churika” was so deadly in the hand of an experienced user and at the same time that was suicidal for a novice. Thacholi Othenan, Aromal Chevakar, Unniyarcha etc are names very familiar with even to children of this area. Unniyarcha was a lady yet she fought great battles and secured foremost position in the list of heroes of martial arts of Malabar. Fighting war to an extend has become a habit of the people of this area and they still go on fighting (although fratricidal) between each other in the name of either politics or religion! Kannur comes between Kasargode (the northern-most district) and Kozhikode also known as Calicut at the south. This district has a population of about two and a half lakhs (quarter of a million). Geographically Kannur can be divided in to three regions, the eastern part is hilly with substantial forest coverage. The middle portion is very fertile and well populated. The western part is comparatively narrow thickly populated and fishing is the main source of income. Author: Sasi Kumar Source: Naturemagics.com - website on
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