Thalassery Rocks...

2012-01-18T03:02:00.000-08:00

Tellicherry is in Kannur District.
The palm-fringed geography of Tellicherry is adorned with four rivers, canals, hills with orange hued rock and a long scenic coastline. One of the four rivers is the Mahe River (Mayyazhi river). During the British Raj, the Mahé River was nicknamed theEnglish Channel, because it separated British-ruled Tellicherry from French-ruled Mahe. Muzhappilangad, a 5 km long beach, is located within 6 km of the City Centre.

History
The British established their presence in Kerala in 1682, when they obtained permission from the Vadakkilamkur Prince of Kolattunad to settle at Tellicherry. 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, that the natives of Tellicherry organised, but this revolt was quickly crushed by the British forces due to its localised, non-nationalistic nature.
Due to its coastal location, the town of Tellicherry was a major commercial centre during the British rule of India. During the British rule, the Malayalam name Thalassery was anglicised into Tellicherry.
The British built a seaport in Tellicherry through which a variety of spices such as pepper and cardamom were exported. (Tellicherry pepper, ground from locally grown pungent black peppercorns, is much sought after by chefs around the world). In 1708, the British built Thalassery Fort by the sea to protect and control the spice trade from the town.
The square fort, with its massive walls, secret tunnels to the sea and intricately carved huge doors, is an imposing structure. The fort was once the nucleus of Tellicherry's development. It is now a 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 Tellicherry. During the British rule, jurisdiction of Tellicherry Court extended up to Mysore.

2012-01-18T02:52:00.000-08:00

Culture

Tellicherry is at times referred to as the City of Cricket where Indians 1st played cricket. First Cakes and Circus. Tellicherry is considered to be the birth place of the Indian Circus. Keeleri Kunhikannan is a legend in the history of Circus. The Circus artist and coaches from Tellicherry are very much in demand. There is also a proposal to start a Circus school, which will give employment opportunity for many persons. This could serve as recruitment ground for Circus companies. There is also scope for earning foreign exchange as the Circuses are very popular in other countries. The cultural exchange programme with Russian performers by Jumbo Circus was well-received.
Rajya Samacharam, the first Malayalam newspaper, was published from Tellicherry.
Older houses in Tellicherry have traditional Kerala architecture, usually large houses with wide verandahs, a well and solid wooden doors . Each house invariably has a few coconut trees, jackfruit and perhaps papaya, mango trees. The many idyllic suburbs are well defined by the rivers and canals that flow past.
Since long time, Tellicherry 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 economy...

The Tellicherry Municipal Ground (Thalassery Stadium) located close to the sea hosts the Ranji Trophy cricket matches quite often. Lord Arthur Wellesley is believed to have introduced this game in Kerala in the 18th century for the British Soldiers who were garrisoned in the Tellichery Fort. It is recorded in the history that the India's first Cricket Club was formed in 1860 at Tellichery, which was later renamed as Town Cricket Club. The Tellichery Cricket ground was the hub of cricket activities those days. It has been reported that an exhibition match was conducted in this ground to raise funds during the First World War. Famous English cricketer Colin Cowdrey's father was a tea planter in Tellicherry and he used to play cricket in Tellicherry during 1890s, and is credited to have laid a decent cricket pitch here, in the early 1900s. Colin Cowdrey, played in Tellicherry during the British regime.
In the year 2002, Tellicherry cricket ground celebrated its 200th birthday by hosting a match between the former cricketers of India and Sri Lanka. In 2008 a new stadium only for Cricket has been inaugurated in Conor Vayal near Venus Junction in Tellicherry which is a project of Kerala Cricket Association...

2012-01-18T02:37:00.000-08:00

Overbury's Folly

One of the popular tourist spots in the town, Overbury's Folly, was built by E. N. Overbury a local British judge in the 1870.

Thalassery Beach lies 22 kilometers from Kannur. The town of Thalassery is famous as the First British settlement in West India. The Thalassery Beach is the site of the magnificent Thalassery Fort. Other attractions of this quiet beach are the St. Rosario Church, the Lighthouse, and the collector's mansion. The quiet sandy beach is an ideal spot for a romantic picnic, or just some frolic with friends.

The quiet Brennen cemetery holds the remains of many British administrators and their family members. The Sree Ramaswamy temple is another landmark you will come across on your Thalassery Beach Tours. The stone carvings of the temple are 4 centuries old, and are widely known for their exquisite craftsmanship and technique. The Trichambaram Temple, close to the Thalassery Beach, is devoted to Lord Krishna. Also visit the Gundert Bungalow, once the residence of the missionary Herman Gundert. Spend the day playing beach sports, swimming in the warm waters of the sea, or taking in the sight of the magnificent sailboats cruising off on their business of fishing.

2012-01-18T02:29:00.000-08:00

Notable citizens

Herman Gundert, a German missionary who lived in Thalassery, wrote the first Malayalam dictionary (Malayalam-English) in 1872.
C. V. Devan Nair, the third president of Singapore, hailed from Thalassery.
Oyyarathu Chandhumenon, author of the first Malayalam novel, Indulekha, was also from Thalassery.
Keeleri Kunhiraman: Tellicherry is considered to be the birth place of the Indian Circus; Keeleri Kunhikannan is a legend in the history of the circus.
Moorkoth Kumaran, a disciple of Sree Narayana Guru, wrote a biography of that guru.
Moorkoth Kunhappa, was associate editor of Malayala Manorama.
Sanjayan (M. R. Nair), a Malayalam satirist, was from Thalassery.
Koramban Mestry, was a very big landlord and businessman, and a great friend of Gundert. His descendents (Kambil's) are spread all over the globe and are extremely successful in their respective fields.
Moozhikara Unni, eldest of the Unni brothers, famous cloth merchants with exports to South East Asia was from Thalassery.
A.K. Gopalan, (A.K.G) Communist party of India (Marxist), one time opposition leader in the Lok Sabha, was from Thalassery.
V.P. Sathyan, former captain of Indian national Football team, hailed from Thalassery.
Pattiam. K. Kumaran, one of the early communist leaders who worked with many prominent leaders during his time, hailed from Pattiam. Founder of first parallel college in Thalassery under the name 'Pattiams College' in 1950's. He was the teacher of Pattiam Gopalan.
Nettur P. Damodaran, author, freedom fighter, recipient of 'Thanrapatra', social worker, member of Parliament in the Ist Lok Sabha from Tellichery constituency, Chairman - Backward class reservation commission later known as Nettur Commission. Contributed to the liberation of Mahe from French Colonial Empire's rule. He is the brother of Payyan Karunakaran, one of the most colorful characters of Nettur.
Dr. TVN Nair, Eminent leader of the freedom movement in Indian history as well as a distinguished personality in the social, cultural and political arena of Tellicherry. He paved the way for the freedom movement in North Malabar and Old Kottayam Taluk, with specific focus on Tellicherry. He hailed from the renowned "Thalassery Veedu" family and was a doctor by profession.

2012-01-18T02:04:00.000-08:00

Thalassery Beach

The Meenkunnu Beach is another refreshing stopover on your Thalassery Beach Tours. 12 kilometers from Kannur, the Meenkunnu Beach is a very popular tourist destination owing to miles and miles of golden sands washed by the gentle ocean waves.

The areas around the Thalassery Beaches are as fascinating as the beaches themselves. Valapattanam,7 kilometers from Kannur, is a major center of timber trade. Close by is the Azhikkal Beach and Port, where you can see many fishing vessels anchored to the harbor, ready to move off at dawn, bearing with them fishermen from the nearby hamlets. The gently swaying palm trees seem to whisper secrets to each other, as you let the lovely scenery soothe your mind and invigorate your body.

Thalassery looking very beautiful.

2010-01-03T17:32:00.000-08:00