Context: Kozhikode has recently earned the distinction of being recognized as the City of Literature within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. The city in North Kerala stands as a cradle for numerous influential figures in the state's literary and cultural sphere.
More information from the news article:
- The UNESCO recognition places Kozhikode in the prestigious position of being India's first City of Literature.
- UNESCO' recognition extend beyond literature to various creative domains, including film, crafts, folk arts, and design. Gwalior, this year, joins the ranks as a City of Music, adding to the list that includes Varanasi (2015) and Chennai (2017).
- Kozhikode's journey to UNESCO recognition is a result of meticulous planning and dedication. The presence of numerous libraries, publishing houses, and events like the Keral Literature Festival (KLF) played pivotal roles.
- Kozhikode holds the distinction of being the birthplace of the first Malayalam novel, Kundalatha, penned by Appu Nedungadi in 1887.
- The KLF, since its inception in 2016, has become a grand celebration of creativity and literature.
- Kozhikode boasts a rich literary heritage, home to iconic writers like M.T. Vasudevan Nair, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, and S.K. Pottekkatt.
- Kozhikode has been historically celebrated for its love of music, football, and delectable cuisine. The city's rich football culture, producing Olympian Rahman, and its culinary delights contribute to its multifaceted cultural identity.
Kerala's Literary Legacy:
- UNESCO's recognition of Kozhikode is not an isolated event; it reflects the broader literary fervour in Kerala.
- Cities like Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, and Kottayam, the first 100% literate town in India, also celebrate literary tradition.
- Despite the digital age, publishing thrives in Kerala, with a growing trend of translating Malayalam literature and embracing translations from diverse languages.
UNESCO's acknowledgment not only crowns Kozhikode as a City of Literature but also highlights Kerala's enduring love for the written word across its diverse cities.
About Kozhikode
- Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, stands along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala.
- Throughout ancient and the medieval period, it earned the name ‘City of Spices’ due to its pivotal role as a major trading hub for Indian spices.
- Historically, it was the capital of an autonomous kingdom governed by the Samoothiris (Zamorins).
- The port of Kozhikode played a crucial role as the entry point to the medieval South Indian coast, attracting traders from China, Persia, Arabia, and eventually Europe.
Under Zamorins
- Kozhikode was initially part of the Polanad kingdom, a vassal state to the Kolathunadu of North Malabar ruled by the Porlatiri.
- The Eradis of Nediyiruppu at Kondotty in Eranad sought a trade outlet to the sea, leading to the conquest of the area around Panniankara.
- Following this, Kozhikode emerged as a prominent city in the 13th century CE, with the Eradis relocating their headquarters to Kozhikode.
- The title ‘Zamorin’ is derived from the European interpretation of ‘Swami Nambiyathiri Thirumulpad’ or ‘Samuri’.
- During the zenith of their reign, the Zamorins ruled a region stretching from Kollam to Panthalayini Kollam.
- The discovery of the sea route from Europe to Kozhikode in 1498 marked a turning point, leading to Portuguese territorial expansion and control of the seas between Ormus and the Malabar Coast.
Portuguese conflicts
- First battle of Cannanore in 1502 initiated Portuguese conflicts in the Indian Ocean, culminating in their dominance of the spice trade.
- Continuous wars with the Zamorin navy, led by Kunjali Marakkars, reduced Kozhikode's significance as a trade centre.
Dutch intervention
- In the early 17th century, the Zamorin expelled the Portuguese with the assistance of the Dutch East India Company.
- The Dutch presence in Kozhikode commenced in 1604, marked by a treaty that facilitated trade and mutual cooperation against the Portuguese.
Advent of British influence
- The British presence in Kerala traces its origins to 1615, marked by the arrival of a group led by Captain William Keeling at Kozhikode.
- Among them was Sir Thomas Roe, a British envoy, who visited Jahangir, the fourth Mughal emperor.
- In 1755, Travancore established dominance in Kerala by defeating the Zamorin of Kozhikode in the Battle of Purakkad.
- Subsequently, Kozhikode fell under British rule following the Mysorean conquest of Malabar in the late 18th century CE.
- Kozhikode served as the capital city of the Malabar district, one of the two districts along the western coast (Malabar Coast) of the Madras Presidency.
- In 1866, the Kozhikode municipality was established under the Madras Act X of 1865 (Amendment of the Improvements in Towns Act 1850), becoming the first modern municipality in the state.
The early history of Kozhikode and the prevailing conditions can be known from the accounts of foreign travellers:
- Ibn Battuta visited Kozhikode and portrayed it as ‘one of the great ports of the district of Malabar,’ attracting merchants from around the world.
- A Chinese sailor under the imperial fleet, Ma Huan (1403) lauded Kozhikode as a significant emporium of trade frequented by merchants worldwide. He observed the city's unique religious diversity, finger-and-toe counting system still in use, and the matrilineal system of succession.
- Abdur Razzak (1442–43): As the ambassador of Persian Emperor Shahruhk, Abdur Razzak (1442-23) found Kozhikode's harbour perfectly secured and noted active trade with maritime nations, including Abyssinia, Zirbad, and Zanzibar.
- An Italian traveller, Niccolo de Conti (1445), described Kozhikode as rich in pepper, lac, ginger, cinnamon, myrobalans, and zedoary.
- In 1498, Vasco Da Gama reached Kozhikode, establishing a trading route with Europe that later contributed to Portugal's colonization of the region.
- Russian traveller Afanasy Nikitin (1468-74), along with Italians Ludovico di Varthema (1503–1508) and Duarte Barbosa, contributed to the diverse accounts of Kozhikode from foreign visitors.
About UNESCO's City of Literature in the Creative Cities Network:
- The UNESCO City of Literature program is an integral component of the expansive Creative Cities Network, a global initiative aimed at fostering creativity and cultural innovation.
- Launched in 2004, this network encompasses member cities spanning seven diverse creative fields, including Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Media Arts, and Music.
Criteria for Cities of Literature:
Cities aspiring to attain the esteemed title of City of Literature must adhere to a set of criteria established by UNESCO. These criteria serve as benchmarks to evaluate the city's commitment to promoting literature and cultural diversity.
- Quality, quantity, and diversity of publishing: Presence of high-quality, diverse publishing within the city.
- Educational programs, focusing on domestic and foreign literature at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
- Cultural significance of literature, drama, and poetry
- Literary events and festivals: Active participation in hosting literary events and festivals that celebrate both domestic and foreign literature.
- Infrastructure for literary preservation: The existence of libraries, bookstores, and public or private cultural centres actively involved in preserving, promoting, and disseminating domestic and foreign literature.
- Publishing sector involvement: Engagement of the publishing sector in translating literary works from diverse national languages and foreign literature.
- Media involvement: Active participation of traditional and new media in promoting literature and bolstering the market for literary products.
City candidacy process:
- Cities aspiring to receive the City of Literature designation undergo a formal process of submitting bids to UNESCO.
- This involves a comprehensive presentation of the city's cultural and literary assets, demonstrating its commitment to meeting the established criteria.
UNESCO's monitoring and review mechanism:
- To ensure the continued adherence to the set standards, the UNESCO City of Literature designations undergo meticulous monitoring and review every four years.
- This periodic evaluation ensures that designated cities maintain their cultural and literary vibrancy, contributing to the overall success and impact of the Creative Cities Network.