Insight: An International Journal for Arts and Humanities Peer Reviewed and Refereed Vol: 1; Issue: 3 ISSN: 2582-8002

Relocating the Nila: A River of Cultural, Social and Topical Versatility

PRIYA.M Research scholar Department of history University of Calicut

Migration is the process of moving from one Place to another with the purpose of setting permanently or temporarily at new locations or geographical area. Man settled down, and settled various places to meet his needs. The movement is often over long distances and across different countries; Migration has spread through the world over the past centuries. From the very beginning of the human society ,human migration has been directly influencing the place of origin and place of destinations the route is basically concerned with place of origin where certain geographical factors inspires migrants to move out and similarly at the place of intention there will be lot a of pull factors. Migration Theories Everett S.Lee‘s law stated that the migration of human beings occur mainly due to two factors namely push and pull factors .both side of the same coin. This approach was formulated mainly due to unpredictable nature of the migrants and thus it is known as situation oriented approach. 1 According to the theory of Everett Lee, (University of Pennsylvania ) , (Push Pull theory), He formulated certain factors for migration 1) Push factors: induce people to move out of their current location , for example , poverty , political instability, religious intolerance .2) Push factors : Induce people to move to new locations , for example , Democratic Government, developed economics, job opportunities , people migrate number of reasons : he describes many such elements for his migration is “Push Pull theory”. British socialist E.G Ravenstien , points out the migration factors 1) Most of the migrants take only short distance towards center for absorption 2) Long distance migrant generally young males 3) Migrants travelling a long distance move to large industrial centers 4) More migration is found where there is more transportation facilities 5) Migrants take “ step by step” or step migration . In short socio- political economic, ecological and cultural factor are responsible for migration.2

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Insight: An International Journal for Arts and Humanities Peer Reviewed and Refereed Vol: 1; Issue: 3 ISSN: 2582-8002

The abundant natural wealth has remained as the thriving forces for human settlements to origin and it is the land and dependency to nature which makes the foundations of progress in civilization in a specific manner. The traditional human communities who have evolved through time follow the natural pattern of social organization and complex survival strategies depending on the natural system and natural process.

Human migration within recorded history has distorted the entire aspects of lands and continent and then racial, cultural, and linguistic compositions of the population. The migration through the Pass paved the way for new trade status and more and more people coming from the farthest places came into for friendly and peaceful trade. Nila’s Cultural roots are developed through these trades. This paper pointed out the geographical importance of Western Ghats, pass and river Nila basin and some social groups migrated to Kerala through the Palakkad pass and settled down the banks river Nila. The following the factors that prompted the migration of these social groups to the shore of Bharathapuzha.

GEOGRAPHY

Bharathapuzha

The river system played an important role in shaping the social historical and material culture of Kerala.

“The connecting arteries between the mountains and the coastal land are the rivers, which runs east to west from their sources in the Ghats, and flows in to the Indian Ocean. The majorities of rivers in Kerala are shorter than 100 kilometers and carry sufficient water from the months of June to November to be navigable. The shipment of goods in a north – south direction relies on the kaayals, known by the British as backwaters which link the rivers together . The nature of these connections so created to run both cross-country and north to south, still makes for an excellent transport system today. In pre colonial times the net work of water routes provided an ideal basis for communication and transport between settlements3.”

The river Nila or Bharthapuzha was the cradle of legendary personalities of “Panthirukulam”. There are many legends myths and folklore connected with the river Nila.

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Insight: An International Journal for Arts and Humanities Peer Reviewed and Refereed Vol: 1; Issue: 3 ISSN: 2582-8002

The Bharathapuzha is originated from a small lake of Anamalai hills in Western Ghats. The banks of Nila are one of the places of early inhabitants of Kerala and the river Nila is major west flowing river in Kerala and is highly dependent on the southwest monsoon for its water resources. It is the only river of Kerala that passes across the Western Ghats through Palakkad Gap. This Gap played a major in the migration of people from to Kerala.

Palakkad Gap and Western Ghats

Palghat Gap is the most prominent physiographic feature in Bharathapuzha basin that controls the climatic variations of this area. The highlands of Western Ghats got an average which bordered the eastern boundary of the area play a major role in receiving heavy rain at silent valley. It acts as an important trade, migrate and transport corridor between the states by linking Kerala to TamilNadu.

The 32 to 40KM Gap in the 960 km Western Ghats function as an inlet for north east monsoon and dry winds. The district at the foot of the colossal Western Ghats has only midland and high land area.4 Palakkad gap being the only opening in western hats has led to migration of several cultures to the proper gap region.5

In Western Ghats evolved one of the most important migratory routes for the later day. The region had many political and trade associations and also became the home to many nomadic people from diverse culture that settled down and merged the way of living with aboriginal to form of unique cultural significances 6.

Most of the Anthropologists suggested that, a culture is the way of life of a group of people, the configuration of all the more or less stereo typed patterns of behavior which are handed down from one generation to the next through the means of languages and limitations.7

Migration Trade Settlements and Social Groups

Kerala’s atmospheric condition was suitable for the development of different types of caste, religion and cultural section even thousands years ago. According to the historians, since the arrivals of the Aryans the Dravidians were marginalized from society in many places. 8

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Insight: An International Journal for Arts and Humanities Peer Reviewed and Refereed Vol: 1; Issue: 3 ISSN: 2582-8002

The immigrant waves of the so-called Parasurama, Brahmin might have established their thirty two settlements to the south of Netravathi between the 3rd and 8th centuries of Christian era in the fertile valleys of the west coast. Some of the early scholars had speculated about the possibility of Aryan conquest of Kerala and the subjugation of the Nayars and other tribes. The Keralolpathi myth is now exploded. Today the consensus of opinion among the scholars would favour a theory of socio- cultural infiltration rather than military conquest. .9

The Vedic tradition of Nila basin, which was once confined to the original Brahmin settlements later on was spread to several village. Village like , Kalpathy , Mundur , Mannampatta, Valampilimangalam , Cherpulassey, Chelakkara , Killimangalam , Mayannur Mannanur , Kavalappara , Panjal ,Cheruthuruthi, Shornur , Karalmanna , , Etappal , Kannanur , Kumaranallur , Alangode ,Karikkattu , and were include in the vast Vedic belt belonging to this area. 10

Some of the social groups who migrated through the Palakkad gap is introduced here the Iyers of Palakkad in Kerala are unique community, be it their slang of language, customs or their life style of living they always reserved their own way of life, different from that of Kerala. Their art and cultural activities contributed a cultural history of Kerala. For example music and dance forms.

“The incessant flow of the people from across the Ghats through the Palakkad gap significantly changed the socio-cultural profile of Palghat and its environs to their enormous advantage. It was not the migration, but the composition that resulted in the reaction of the immigrants with the local people that led to the emergence of the linguistic (polyglot) society that turn remained a major reckoning factor of the history. There are few recorded evidence about the origin of migration and the rest is drawn from popular literary works of the period, legends, ballads, folklore and some in cases archaeological findings11.”

“Indeed Brahmins from Tamizhakam had been a dominant groups and remained so in their adopted land richly and largely contributing to its socio-economic and cultural life not to be confused with the Namboothiris popularly known as Brahmins who effortlessly combined In the local social milieu, The Tamil Brahmins, Nevertheless retained much of their cultural, linguistic and religious and exclusivity and yet became part of the social main stream”.12

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Insight: An International Journal for Arts and Humanities Peer Reviewed and Refereed Vol: 1; Issue: 3 ISSN: 2582-8002

There are several opinions about the migration of this community. One version goes that the Raja of Palghat invited them. .Another opinion is that a group of settlers from Madurai came to conduct Poojas at Kalpathy. A third opinion states that different socio- politico- agitation also initiated migration .The collapse of the Cholas and fading of the Pallava Empire etc. . Natural Calamities also forced people to migrate to better living conditions. Population movements and movements of trade goods and pack animals used take place across the western Ghats along passes , such as Iritty, Peria, Thamarassery , Gudalur, Palakkad, Chittur, Kumili, Ariyankavu, and Aruvaymozhi, . Other routes also connected the resources regions in Western Ghats with the coast. Routes connected major centers along the coast such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kayamkulam, Thiruvalla, Kottayam, Thripunithura, Paravur, and Kodungallur; Routes also existed from Thirunavaya and to Calicut and from there to Kannur and Payyannur. Routes also linked centers in Wayand. Most of urban centers have been traced along these routes. All the rivers transported goods in boats and catamarams, and coastal water routes along lagoons and estuaries were also used.13

According to William Logan, “one of the most striking features in the country is the great Palakkad gap, a complete opening some twenty miles across in this great backbone of the peninsula. Here, by whatever the great natural agency the break occurred the mountains appear thrown back and heaped up as if some overwhelming deluge had burst through, sweeping them to left and right. On either hand tower the giant Nilagiris and Anamalas, over- topping the chains of Ghats by several thousand feet while through the gap the south –west winds brings pleasant moist air and grateful shower to the thirsty plains of , and roads and railway link the Carnatic to Kerala .through this the thousands streams the higher mountains find their way to the sea, and the produce of the eastern and western provinces is exchanged. The unique character –as a point of physical geography –of this gap in an otherwise unbroken wall of high mountains, six hundred miles along long, is only equaled by its great economic value to the countries lying on either hand of it. ”14

The Ecological uniqueness , Geographical positions , River banks , Natural resources , Royal patronage , Port facilities , Ghats , Palakkad Pass and trade routes etc were helped to emerge internal and external centers on the banks of river Nila. A considerable amount of

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Insight: An International Journal for Arts and Humanities Peer Reviewed and Refereed Vol: 1; Issue: 3 ISSN: 2582-8002

agrarian development led to the emergence of markets or trade centers the availability of surplus can be taken as an indicator or evolutionary change in society. 15

Various trading communities settled down on the banks of river Nila. For example chetties from Andhra Pradesh, chaliya chetties, and other trading communities. There was Rawthers , Moothans , the chettis , and Andis, the Pandaram and the Vadugas .they migrated to Palakkad with their supporting groups of the people who must have come either by them as their supporting staff some of them. Chettis and Moothans for the example have been engaged in trade and commerce, while others were used for cliché jobs such as the drawers of water and hewers of wood. 16 “Regular demand for spices and various other artifacts of Kerala with the long history of exchange had already been part of a large network bodies of the previous regime, financing in the epigraphs of the ninth to twelfth century period, Such as ancvvannam, Manigramam, Nanadesikal, Narapaltennayiravar, pattiennbhum, tisai, ayirattu. Ainnurruvar and Valanchiyar continued their activities cutting across the boundaries of the various political region of south “17.

The migrants were majority from Tamil Nadu and Andhrapradesh. From the earliest times there was a trade through the Palakkad Pass. This continued in to the medieval period also. Place names such as Angadi, Athani, chunkam, and information provided by the Grandhavaries indicate that these paths were not only the corridors trades but also make religious pilgrimage possible.18

Chettis and Moothan community are the two main communities that settled in Palakkad and Valluvanadan region. The Moothan communities were known as Mannadiar or Guptas. Gupthan is a Hindu forward caste from Palakkad districts of Kerala. The majority of the Gupthans are located in Valluvanad. Many scholars, land owners and astrologers originated from this community. There are lots of myths and legends behinds their settlements in Palakkad region.

These were the people the discontent of Chola King they escaped from Chola kingdom. Finally they came to Kerala and settled in the region of Valluvanad like Mangattudesam, Thiruvazhiyode, Vayillayamkunnu and Thachanattukara area with the permission of and gave permission to build “Nagaram”19. Tharakan communities were sub -caste of

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Insight: An International Journal for Arts and Humanities Peer Reviewed and Refereed Vol: 1; Issue: 3 ISSN: 2582-8002

Guptha Community. Tharakan community was ancient traders. The Tharakan can be believed as the one who that intermediates between manufacturer and buyers. They were ancient traders’20 .A “part of Tharakan community settled down in the Angadipuram region21. Their profession was trade and agriculture.

The weavers community consists of people from migrated from the east of the Gap A few hundred years back their living conditions in Kerala, the role of chettis in this inland trade needs to be studied in detail. Chetties in different groups are settled down in the Vaniyamkulam region. Various subs –caste of this community can also found here, for example Anduran chetties, kaikolas, saliyas, kumbara chetties etc.

The five hundred years old story explains this transition to Mysore, the royal family of Kollengode and Cochin invited weavers from Mysore. They were settled down the region of , at Kuthampully on the banks of river Nila, their customs and practices closely resembles in Tamil culture. Many of them belong to Devanga chetty community. These communities reside in different parts of Palakkad.

Athanis , it was the resting place of chetties of outside of the neighboring state, one who supplied essential commodities like oil, ,textiles , jaggery and other products to keralites. The entire routes are significant; the interval of every one or two kilometer there was a presence of the Athani or good’s stands. There were used by the traders from TamilNadu and to take as support to their community. Vaniyamkulam is an important center of commerce between Ponnani Port and Palakkad Gap.

There are many cantas (market) “Kavus” on the both sides of the banks of Bharathapuzha. Morning cantas were called Nalangadi and evening markets or cantas were called “Allangadi or Aanticanta. Another category or markets were the weekly cantas for which particular day and place was fixed. It seems that these weekly markets were conducted and joining spots of various routes linking long distance place and coastal markets with agricultural linter land. Reference on literature they dramatize the economic interdependence of village and provide refutation of the idea of economic self-sufficiency22.

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Insight: An International Journal for Arts and Humanities Peer Reviewed and Refereed Vol: 1; Issue: 3 ISSN: 2582-8002

Some of the cantas were specialized centers of various items. Vaniyamkulam and Koyalmandam were famous cattle cantas in Valluvanadu, Vaniyamkulam was a famous center of commerce.23 People from different parts of TamilNadu (Pazhani, Dindigul, Madhura ) came here to sell livestock. Other market place at that time was Koonathara Angadi. It was under the rule of Kavalappara swaroopam .Moopil Nair was brought Tolpavakoothu from Tamil Nadu to Kerala and promoted it. It is performed during the time of Aryankavu pooram Festival.24

Another folk community of the Bharathapuzha is kumbara Community. L.A.Krishna Iyer stated that they were immigrants from the Thiruchirapalli of Tamil Nadu. The Kumbhara community is one of the main communities which intermingle with the banks of Bharathapuzha River. It is believe that they migrated from Andhra Pradesh years back. They were settled in the interior villages of Bharatahpuzha river basin. They generally use a mixed language of Telugu. It has no particular script. 25 The availability of water and the clay on the banks of river Nila helped the potters and some materials of the river banks are very useful for the various artisans community.

Understanding the material conditions of the river basin, a number of artisanas communities determined to settle around the river Nila over a long time ago. Many of the artisans’ communities depend on the clay from the river Bharathapuzha. For special craft, For example, Adakkaputhur kannadi .The musaries generally make household vessels, like Uruli, Vilakku, Kolambi.etc. The clay on the banks of Nila is very smooth the metal craft beauty on the strength and quality of clay mould. The artisans’ communities say that their life and livelihood were closely associated with river Nila.

The areas either side of river Nila are fertile farm land the commercial importance of the river Nila is a huge when the transportation is limited the presence of Ponnani, a major port of Calicut, increased the importance of Thirunavaya, the competition between the Zamorin and Valluvakonathiri gave it historical significances. 26.

Mamankam was a big historical and trade festival on the Thirunavaya on the banks of Bharathapuzha there merchants came even for faraway places converged to exchange goods. The kings of outsides of the Valluvanad had known the economic resources of the

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Insight: An International Journal for Arts and Humanities Peer Reviewed and Refereed Vol: 1; Issue: 3 ISSN: 2582-8002

Valluvanad aimed to achieve it. One of the most important examples of this is The Zamorin’s conquest of Valluvanad. The Zamorin ‘s marketing strategies by conducting Mamankam was to acquire paddy, coconut and commercial crops for port trade and Zamorin had a clear direction when it conquered the basin of Nila . The paddy fields of Valluvanad and Palakkad were essential for the survival of the Zamorin’s port city, but is less fertile land area. So the Zamorin was attracted the resources of Nila river basin.

Cultural Impact The peculiar geographical position which fostered the origin of a unique culture comprising the foreign and indigenous cultural traits led to the cultural progress of Valluvanad. There are lots of local festivals in this region. All these festival many trade groups were joining in these occasions for sharing products and their cultural performances also. Through this social activists take place. The migration through the Palakkad paved the way for the cultural and economic contributions. The contribution of Nila to the socio- religious and cultural life of Kerala is very important. Many prominent writers lived on the banks of river Nila .Many cultural and religious centers also existed in this area.

Conclusion There are many cultural rituals practiced in the shores of Nila. some of these rituals like Tholpavakoothu, Chettivela, Thaipooyam, and other Kavuthattaaka Festivals etc are celebrated by then migrants as well as the natives of Valluvanad . These festivals enhance the cultural traditions of this area and at the same time helps to retain the cultural tradition of Valluvanad. The rich heritage of Valluvanad region is the result together culture through the migration.

End Notes

1 Ernest George Ravenstien, The law of Migration, Ayer Company, England, 1885, p, 23. 2 Ibid, pp, 23- 24. 3 Margret Frenz , From Contact To Conquest Transition To British Rule In Malabar 1790-1805,Oxford University Press, New Delhi , 2003p,7 4 District Census Handbook, Palakkad, Village and Town Directory, Series -331, Part Xii, A DIRECTORATE OF CENSUS OPERATION, KERALA, 2011, p.4. 5 Ibid, p.4.

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6 Ibid, p,.5. 7 Victor Barnouw , Culture And Personality , The Dorsey Press Inc. Homewood ,Illinois ,1963,P,5. 8 Ajith Kumar, Kerala Samskaram, (Mal), Department of Cultural Publications, Thiruvananthapuram, 2004, pp.99-112. 9 Ibid, p. 112. 10 Dr. Jamal Muhammed, (Edited) Perspectives of Kerala studies, Sree Sankara University of Sanskrit Kalady, 1999 Pp, 152,153. 11 M.K Das , The Saga Of Kalpathy The Story Of Palghat Iyers Ahalia Publications , Palakkad , An Imprint Prism Books Private Ltd , Benguluru, .2017,p.34. 12 Ibid, p. 34. 13. K .N. Ganesh, Reflection on Pre-Modern Kerala, Cosmo Books, , 2001, p.155-153. 14 William Logan, M.C.S., Malabar, vol-1 Government Press, Madras, 1951, p.3.

15 Karl Polayani (Ed) ,Trade and Market in the Early Empire, New York, 1957, p, 21. 16 M.K .Das, op.cit, p.34. 17 Rajan Gurukkal and RaghavaVarrier, (Ed) History Of Kerala Pre- Historic To Present, Orient Black Swan Pvt.Ltd, 2015, p.146. 18 .Gopalankutty, Konganpada, Onam, Thoppi, Charithrathile Adayalapeduthaukal (Mal), Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-Operative Society, Kottayam 2012, p.24. 19 E.P Bhasakara Gupthan ,Desayanam (Mal)Samabhavini Books ,Katampazhipuram 2004,p.55 20 Ibid. p. 63. 21 Ibid, p.50. 22 M.N.Srinivas , Village Caste Gender and Method; Essays in Indian social Anthropology, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 1996, p,18. 23 William Logan, Malabar Manual, Vol-1, Asian Education society, New Delhi, 1989, p. 181. 24 O.P. Balakrishnan, Kavalappara Charithravum Paithrikavum (Mal), Geethanjal Offset Prints, Calicut, 2012, pp. 46-50. 25 Vaniyamkulam Panchayath Vijnaniyam, Ottappalam Taluk, , PART -1, (Mal) Kerala Council for Historical Research, Thiruvananthapuram, 2001.p, 91. 26V.VHaridas, Mamankavum Chaverum (Mal), Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-Operative Society, Kottayam, 2015, Introduction Page.

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