Ponnani

Ponnani Ponnani
city
Population  (2001)
• Total	87,356

Ponnani is a coastal town and a municipality in Malappuram district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the smallest Taluk in Malappuram district. This tiny, picturesque town is bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west. It is the only port in Malappuram district and one of the oldest ones in Kerala. This tidal port, mainly used by the fishing industry, is at the mouth of Bharathapuza, the longest river of Kerala. This place is an important fishing centre.

Ponnani has a population which is a blend of almost equal percentage of Hindus and Muslims and has set an example for tolerant and peaceful co-existence. Malik Ibn Dinar, the first Islamic missionary to come to Kerala, is believed to have visited Ponnani. William Logan, the British historian, records in his Malabar Manual that the Ponnani Juma Masjid was built in 925 Hijrah Era. Ponnani was considered as the second capital of Malabar during the reign of Zamorins of Calicut and was the headquarters of Kunjali Marakkar, the naval chief of Zamorin.

History of Ponnani

Ponnani is a very old port city with a rich history for centuries. It was a very strategic place for import and export business for the Arabs, the Portuguese, and the British. During the rule of the Zamorins. Ponnani was under the control of the Nair family known as "Ullanat Panickers".

Ponnani enjoyed a status as an important centre for education in the philosophy of Islam. In the early period, Ponnani was considered the Al Azhar University of Kerala, for its great religious schools and teachers. Ponnani was called the 'small Makkah' of South India.

Hyder Ali of Mysore conquered Malabar in 1766 and established an outpost in Ponnani. During his son Tipu Sultan’s regime Ponnani became an important centre for Islamic studies. Tipu developed the port at Ponnani for trade and security reasons. After Tipu’s defeat in 1799, the British took the territory of Malabar under their control.

Ponnani is a name very much associated with the nationalist movements in the freedom struggle. A number of prominent leaders from this taluk had contributed in soul and spirit towards realizing the dream of Independent India. Role of great freedom struggle leaders like Zainuddin Makhdoom II, who wrote a book Tuhafat Ul Mujahideen, which is the first authentic book on Kerala history, to inspire people to fight British invasion is remembered for ever. Ponnani has also contributed a great deal to the cultural and literary heritage of Kerala.

EK Imbichibava has played a tremendous role in its development. He is known as 'The Soul of Ponnani'. He was a great Communist Leader and former Member of Indian Parliament and Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly.

Society and Culture

Ponnani is famous among Keralites for its mosques. There are number of mosques situated in Ponnani municipality. It is also famed for its Hindu temples such as Thrikkavu Temple in downtown Ponnani and the NavamukundaTemple in Thirunavaya, located near Ponnani.

Ponnani has an important place in the cultural history of Kerala. Thunjath Ezhuthachan, who is considered as the ‘Father of Modern Malayalam language’, Vallathol Narayana Menon (1878-1958), Kuttikrishna Marar, Krishna Panikkar, illustrious novelists like Uroob (pseudonym of P.C.Kuttikrishnan), M.T.Vasudevan Nair, Kamala Surayya (Kamala Das)and C. Radhakrishnan the poets like Edasseri Govindan Nair etc. are from Ponnani taluk. The well-known painters like K.C.S.Panikkar, Namboothiri too are from here. Trikkavu in Ponnani was the summer capital of Zamorins of Calicut, the rulers of Malabar.

The role of EK Imbichibava is remembered for his contribution to the town and people. Adv. Koladi Govindan Kutty, K. Krishna Warrier , Justice. Kunhammad Kutty, Fatima Teacher, Prof. A.V. Moideen Kutty, Prof. M.M. Narayanan, Prof.K.V.Abdurahiman, Prof. Kadavanad Mohammad, etc. have contributed a lot for the cultural development of Ponnani.. It has an average elevation of 5 metres (76 feet).

Administration

There are two administrative systems prevailing in Ponnani taluk:

• Revenue
• Local self-government.

The local self-government system constitutes the Municipality and Block Panchayat. Ponnani Municipality has 50 wards. Each ward is represented by an elected member in the Municipal council. Under the revenue system, the taluk is divided into 11 villages. Ponnani taluk is constituted of the following villages.

• Alankode
• Edappal
• Ezhuvathiruthy
• Kalady
• Maranchery
• Nannam Mukku
• Perumpadappu
• Ponnani
• Thavannur
• Vattamkulam
• Veliyancode.

Parliamentary constituency and assembly segments:

Ponnani is one among the 20 parliament constituencies of Kerala. The constituency is rural in character, with agriculture and fishing being the main means of livelihood. The area boasts a few NRI pockets, wherein foreign remittances have created an aura of prosperity. The Ponnani constituency comprises the assembly segments of Tirurangadi, Tanur, Tirur, Ponnani, Mankada, Kuttipuram and Perinthalmanna.

Between 1957 and 1977, when Ponnani was a reserved constituency, it was held by the Marxists. Once it was re-labeled a general constituency in 1977, the balance of power shifted to the IUML. General Statistics ( Municipality as per 1991 Census)

• Area - 199.42 sq. Km
• Population - 320,888
• Literacy 71.3%

Tourism

The tidal mouth of Bharathappuzha in Ponnani, where 'Bharathapuza' and 'Tirur-PonnaiPuzha' join together to traverse into the Arabian Sea, is a seasonal home to hundreds of migratory birds and attracts a large number of bird watchers and ornithologists. If one crosses the ferry of Chamravattom in March-May period one cannot but miss the lovely flock of birds. Nearly 25 varieties of birds have been identified in this area.

Another tourist attraction is 'Biyyam Kayal'. This placid, green fringed waterway has water sports facilities. A boat race is conducted here annually, during Onam celebrations. A permanent pavilion is built for the spectators and nearly two dozen country boats, including some rowed by women, participate in the race. A big scheme is underway to develop a tourist complex here, with hotels, parks, etc. Today, a rest house situated on the banks of the lake, welcomes the tourists for a comfortable and cozy stay.

As Chamravattom project become reality, a landmark growth is expected in tourism, irrigation and transportation sectors. The foundation for this ambitious project was laid down in 1982.

Demographics

As of 2001 India censusTemplate:GR, Ponnani had a population of 87,356. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Ponnani has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 71%. In Ponnani, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Land Marks

• Ponnani Lighthouse: Ponnani Lighthouse is situated close to the South bank of Bharathapuza River joining the sea on the outskirts of Ponnani town. The nearest Railway station is in Kuttipuram and is 21 KM away. The NH-17 connects Ponnani to Kuttipuram. Ponnani is also linked by an inland water navigation system of canals to south Kerala.

• Bharathapuza: Joins in Arabian Sea at Ponnani.