ART
AND CULTURE
The
temple and mosques of this district contain sculptures
and inscriptions which are of considerable interest
to the students of art. Kozhikode town itself has many
temples, the most important of which are the Tali temple,
the Tiruvannur temple, Azhakodi temple, Varakkal temple,
Bilathikulam temple and Bhairagimadom temple. Some of
these temples contain sculptures and paintings of very
high artistic order. The Thiruvilangad temple contains
many ancient sculptures. Its gateway is interesting
because it is built in the same style as the Jain Bastis.
At
Meppayur, 16.09 kms. southeast of Vadakara, is the Elavattara
temple of Durga, in the grove attached to which are
some sculptured images. Southeast of Vadakara by 4.92
kms. is the Lokanarkav, in the vicinity of which there
are rock-cut caves. There is an art gallery and Krishna
Menon Museum at East hill in Kozhikode city. Lalithakala
Academy also has an art gallery adjacent to town hall,
Kozhikode.
In
the field of Malayalam Language and Literature, Kozhikode
has made most significant contributions. The district
is famous for folk songs or ballads known as Vadakkam
Pattukal. The most popular folk songs among them are
those which celebrate the exploits of Tacholi Meppayil
Kunju Othenan, ‘the Robinhood of North Malabar’.
During
temple festivals and important social functions entertainments
like Koothu, Kathakali, Ottanthullal and Kaikottikali
are performed. There are also ritual dances such as
Thira and Theyyam.
One
of the favourite pastimes of the Muslims of the district
is the singing of the Mappilapattu and Oppana. These
songs are sung in a distinctive tune and cover a wide
range of themes. The songs are composed in a composite
language of Arabic and Malayalam.
Festivals
The
important festivals in the district are held at Arakkal
temple, Madappalli, Vadakara (pooram Festival, march/April),
Lokanarkavu Bhagavathi temple, Memunda, Vadakara (two
festivals – (1) March/April (2) November/Decemebr),
Kadappally Kumbhom Thira Puduppanam, Vadakara Shri Pisharikavu
Bhagavathi temple, Viyyur, Thikkody (Kaliatta Mahotsavam
in March), Vettakkorumakan pattu in the Balussery Fort,
Koyilandy, Sreekanteswara temple festival, Kozhikode
(Sivarathri Festival for seven days in February/March),
Thacholi Manikkoth Temple Festival (February), and Appavanibha
Nercha at Idiyangara Sheik Masjid.
Revathy
Pattathanam
The
famous intellectual debate for vedic scholars to win
the coveted position of pattathana takes place at Thali
temple during the month of Thulam. It is said that this
unique intellectual gathering commenced during the fag
end of 13th century. Many stories are attributed
to the beginning of the Pattathanam. The seven-day debate
starts on Revathi day and concludes on Thiruvathira
day of the Malayalam month of Thulam.
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