Malappuram district
Malappuram district Malapuram district | |
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Clockwise from top: Kottakkunnu, Adhyathmaramayanam Kilippattu preserved at Tirur, Maha Kavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Smarakam, Oppana, Karipur International Airport, Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala. | |
Nickname(s): | |
![]() Location of Malappuram district in Kerala | |
Coordinates: 11°N 76°E / 11°N 76°ECoordinates: 11°N 76°E / 11°N 76°E | |
Country | ![]() |
State | Kerala |
District formation | 16 June 1969 |
Headquarters | Malappuram |
Talukas | |
Government | |
• District collector | Jaffer Malik, IAS[4] |
• District Panchayath President | A. P. Unnikrishnan (IUML)[5] |
• Members of Lok Sabha | |
• Niyamasabha constituencies | 16 |
Area | |
• Total | 3,550 km2 (1,370 sq mi) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 4,112,920 |
• Rank | 1 |
• Density | 1,200/km2 (3,000/sq mi) |
Languages | |
• Official | Malayalam |
• Additional official | English |
Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
ISO 3166 code | IN-KL(KL-10, KL-53, KL-54, KL-55, KL-65, KL-71, KL-84) |
Vehicle registration | Malappuram: KL-10, Perinthalmanna: KL-53, Ponnani: KL-54, Tirur: KL-55, Tirurangadi: KL-65, Nilambur: KL-71, Kondotty: KL-84 |
Sex ratio | 1096 ♂/♀ |
Literacy | 93.55% |
Website | malappuram |
Malappuram (/mələppurəm/ (listen)), located in the southern part of former Malabar district, is a revenue district of the Indian state of Kerala. The city of Malappuram, the district headquarters, gives the district its name.
It is the most populous district in Kerala, which is home to about 12.3% of the total population of the state.[6]The district was formed on 16 June 1969 spanning an area of about 3,550 km2 (1,371 sq mi). Today it is the third-largest district in Kerala in terms of area.
Malappuram district was carved out by combining some portions of the former Palakkad and Kozhikode districts- Eranad taluk and portions of Tirur taluk in the former Kozhikode district, and portions of Perinthalmanna taluk and Ponnani taluk in the former Palakkad district (before 1969).
Contents
- 1 Etymology
- 2 History
- 3 Geography
- 4 Flora and fauna
- 5 Demographics
- 6 Administration of Malappuram
- 7 Economy
- 8 Transport
- 9 Major cities
- 10 Educational institutions
- 11 Notable people from Malappuram
- 12 Demand for bifurcation of Malappuram
- 13 Tourism
- 14 Photo gallery
- 15 See also
- 16 References
- 17 External links
Etymology[edit]
The term, Malappuram, which means "terraced place atop the hills", is derived from the geography of Malappuram city, the district headquarters.
History[edit]
Before the district's formation, the region was known as Eranad, Valluvanad, Vettathunad etc.
Ancient and Medieval era[edit]
The district has a rich cultural and political heritage. The port of Ponnani (known as Tyndis in the ancient period) was a centre of trade with Ancient Rome. During Sangam period, the region was included in the Kudanadu, a province in the Ancient Tamilakam. After the Chera Dynasty, a number of dynasties controlled the area, and by the ninth century the region was ruled by the Kulasekharas of Mahodayapuram. After the disintegration of the Kulasekhara kingdom a number of Nair city-states emerged, including Valluvanad, Vettattunadu (Tanur), Parappanad and Nediyiruppu (ruled by the Zamorins). During the 13th century, the Samoothiri of Calicut expanded their territories to Malabar. Thirunavaya, the seat of Mamankam, is located at the present-day Tirur Taluk in Malappuram district.
A number of medieval Malayalam poets hailed from Malappuram, including Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri who composed the Narayaneeyam in Sanskrit, Poonthanam Nambudiri and Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan. Among them, Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan is known as the father of modern Malayalam language. Today the district includes Tirunavaya, the classic medieval centre of Vedic learning and Kottakkal, home of Ayurveda medicine.


In the field of astronomy and mathematics also, Malappuram has dedicated its talented persons during the medieval period. The ancient Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics though mainly centered in Thrissur also had Namboodiri and Nair scholars coming from Malappuram. The Parameshvara, the Nilakantha Somayaji, the Jyeṣṭhadeva, the Achyutha Pisharadi, and the Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri, who were the main members of the Kerala School of Astronomy and Mathematics hailed from Tirur area in the district.
Colonial era[edit]
European colonial powers first landed in Malabar during the 15th century, and the Samoothiris often allied with foreign powers. During the 18th century, the de facto Mysore kingdom rulers Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan marched into the Samoothiris’ districts.
This district was the venue for many of the Mappila revolts (uprisings against the British East India Company in Kerala) between 1792 and 1921. Malappuram has been part of movements such as Khilafat Movement and Malabar Rebellion in the early 20th century. Before Indian independence in 1947, Malappuram was part of Malabar District in the Madras Presidency of British India. The present district was administered as parts of Kozhikode taluk, Eranad taluk, Valluvanad Taluk and Ponnani taluk.


After Independence[edit]
Malabar District remained part of Madras state for some time after independence, but on 1 November 1956 it merged with Travancore-Cochin to form the state of Kerala. Large-scale changes in the territorial jurisdiction of the region took place in 1957 and 1969. On 1 January 1957, Tirur taluk was formed from portions of Eranad taluk and Ponnani taluk. Another portion of Ponnani taluk was transferred to the new Chavakkad taluk in Thrissur district, and the remainder is present-day Ponnani taluk. Perinthalmanna taluk was formed from the former Valluvanad Taluk. Of these, Eranad Taluk and Tirur remained in Kozhikode District and Perinthalmanna Taluk and Ponnani taluk remained in Palakkad District. The new district of Malappuram was formed with four taluks (Eranad, Perinthalmanna, Tirur, and Ponnani), four towns, fourteen developmental blocks and 100 panchayats. Later, three more taluks, Tirurangadi, Nilambur and Kondotty were formed from Tirur Taluk and Eranad taluk.
In the early years of Communist rule in Kerala, Malappuram experienced land reform under the Land Reform Ordinance. During the 1970s Persian Gulf oil reserves were opened to commercial extraction and thousands of unskilled workers migrated to the Gulf. They sent money home, supporting the rural economy, and by the late 20th century the region had First World health standards and near-universal literacy.[7]
Geography[edit]

Bounded by the Nilgiri hills on the east, the Arabian Sea on the west, the Wayanad and Kozhikode districts on the north, and the Palakkad and Thrissur districts on the south, Malappuram district possesses a total geographical area of 3,550 sq.km, which ranks third in the state in terms of area. The district is located at 75°E - 77°E longitude and 10°N - 12°N latitude in the geographical map. Similar to the other parts of Kerala, the Malappuram district also have a coastal area (lowland) bounded by the Arabian Sea at the west, a midland at the centre, and a hilly area (highland),bounded by the Western Ghats at the east.
Eranad and Perinthalmanna Talukas are located in the midland. The vast Nilambur Taluk covers the whole hilly area (highland) where the population is less, but the land area (including a lot of forest area) is more.
Coastal region[edit]
Ponnani, Tirur, Tirurangadi, and Kondotty talukas are situated in the most populous coastal region. Malappuram ranks fourth in the length of coastlines among the districts of Kerala having a coastline of 70 km (11.87% of the total coastline of Kerala).[8].Ponnani, Tanur, and Parappanangadi, which lies in the southwest part of the district, are the major coastal cities of the district.
Climate[edit]
Malappuram's temperature is almost steady throughout the year. It has a tropical climate. Malappuram has significant rainfall most months, with a short dry season. According to Köppen and Geiger, this climate is classified as Am. The average annual temperature in Malappuram is 27.3 °C. In a year, the average rainfall is 2,952 millimetres (116.2 in). Summer usually runs from March until May; the monsoon begins by June and ends by September. Malappuram receives both southwest and northeast monsoons. Winter is from December to February.[9]
Climate data for Malappuram | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Average high °C (°F) | 32.0 (89.6) |
32.9 (91.2) |
34.0 (93.2) |
33.8 (92.8) |
32.7 (90.9) |
29.3 (84.7) |
28.1 (82.6) |
28.7 (83.7) |
29.7 (85.5) |
30.3 (86.5) |
31.1 (88.0) |
31.4 (88.5) |
34.0 (93.2) |
Average low °C (°F) | 21.8 (71.2) |
22.8 (73.0) |
24.4 (75.9) |
25.4 (77.7) |
25.1 (77.2) |
23.5 (74.3) |
22.8 (73.0) |
23.3 (73.9) |
23.3 (73.9) |
23.4 (74.1) |
23.1 (73.6) |
21.9 (71.4) |
21.8 (71.2) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 1 (0.0) |
9 (0.4) |
16 (0.6) |
101 (4.0) |
253 (10.0) |
666 (26.2) |
830 (32.7) |
398 (15.7) |
233 (9.2) |
281 (11.1) |
140 (5.5) |
24 (0.9) |
2,952 (116.2) |
Source: [10] |
Rivers[edit]
Four important rivers of Kerala flow through the district: The Chaliyar, the Kadalundi River, the Bharathappuzha and the Tirur River. Chaliyar traverses through Nilambur, Mampad, Edavanna, Areekode, Vazhakkad and flows into the sea at Beypore in Kozhikode district. Kadalundi River passes through places like Melattur, Pandikkad, Malappuram, Panakkad, Parappur, Kooriyad, and Tirurangadi. Bharathappuzha flows through Thootha, Elamkulam, Pulamanthole and joins the main river at Pallippuram. After a course in Palakkad and Thrissur districts, the Bharathappuzha again enters Malappuram district at Thiruvegappura and from Kuttippuram onwards, the river belongs entirely to Malappuram. Tirur River is 48 km long, originates from Athavanad hills in Tirur Taluk, flows in a south-west course up to Tirunavaya, deviates to encircle Tirur town and flows south-west parallel to the sea until it joins the Bharathappuzha near Ponnani port.[11]
Flora and fauna[edit]

Malappuram district contains abundant wildlife and a number of small hills, forests, rivers and streams flowing to the west, backwaters and paddy, arecanut, cashew nut, pepper, ginger, pulses, coconut, banana, tapioca, and rubber plantations. The northeast part of the district has a vast forest area of 758.87 sq km. In this, 325.33 sq km is reserved forests and the rest is vested forests. Of these, 80% is deciduous whereas the rest is evergreen. The forest area is mainly concentrated in the Nilambur Taluk, which shares its boundary with the hilly district of Wayanad, Western Ghats and the hilly areas (Nilgiris) of Tamil Nadu. The trees like Teak, Rosewood, and Mahogany can abundantly be seen in this Nilambur forest area. Bamboo hills can be seen anywhere in the forest. A variety of animals, birds, and reptiles are found in the forests. Forest produces like honey, medicinal herbs, and spices are also collected from here. The forests are protected by two divisions- Nilambur north and Nilambur south. About 50 Acre of Mangroves forest is found in Vallikunnu, located in the coastal area of the district.[12]
Demographics[edit]
Historical population | ||
---|---|---|
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
1901 | 682,151 | — |
1911 | 747,929 | +0.92% |
1921 | 764,138 | +0.21% |
1931 | 874,504 | +1.36% |
1941 | 977,085 | +1.12% |
1951 | 1,149,718 | +1.64% |
1961 | 1,387,370 | +1.90% |
1971 | 1,856,357 | +2.95% |
1981 | 2,402,701 | +2.61% |
1991 | 3,096,330 | +2.57% |
2001 | 3,625,471 | +1.59% |
2011 | 4,112,920 | +1.27% |
source:[13] |
In the 2011 census the district had a population of 4,112,920.[14]
General features[edit]
Malappuram is the most populous district in Kerala. It is also the 48th most populous of India's 640 districts, with a population density of 1,158 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,000/sq mi). Its population-growth rate from 2001 to 2011 was 13.39 percent. Malappuram has a sex ratio of 1096 women to 1000 men, and its literacy rate is 93.55 percent.
Religions[edit]
Malappuram is one of two Muslim-majority districts in South India. The Mappilas are the most prominent group among the people of Malappuram.The Hindu temples and Mappila mosques of the region are known for their colorful festivals]. Religions practised in the district include Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism and tribal religions.[15]
Languages[edit]
Malayalam is the district's principal language. Minority Dravidian languages are Allar (350 speakers)[16] and Aranadan, kept alive by the low education level of its 200 speakers.[17] Tamil is also been spoke by partial number of people.
Administration of Malappuram[edit]
Malappuram District has four types of administrative hierarchies:
- Revenue Division - Taluk - Village administration managed by the state government of Kerala
- Local body (Gram Panchayat/Block Panchayat/District Panchayat/Municipality) Administration managed by the local bodies
- Parliament Constituencies for the Parliament of India
- Assembly Constituencies for the Kerala Niyamasabha
Malappuram Revenue district is divided into 2 revenue divisions, Tirur and Perinthalmanna. In these two divisions there are 138 villages included in 7 talukas. For the sake of rural administaration, 94 Gram Panchayats are comprised in 15 Block Panchayats, which together form the Malappuram District Panchayat. Besides this in order to perform urban administration better, 12 municipal towns are there. For the representation of Malappuram in Kerala Niyamasabha, there are 16 Niyamasabha constituencies in the district. These 16 are included in 3 Lok Sabha constituencies.[18]
Taluks and Villages[edit]
Malappuram district is divided into 138 villages which together form 7 taluks.[19]
Sl.no | Taluk | Villages |
---|---|---|
1 | Eranad | 23 |
2 | Nilambur | 21 |
3 | Perinthalmanna | 24 |
4 | Tirur | 30 |
5 | Tirurangadi | 17 |
6 | Kondotty | 12 |
7 | Ponnani | 11 |
Villages in Eranad Taluk (23)[edit]
Malappuram, Panakkad, Melmuri, Payyanad, Elankur, Karakunnu, Trikkalangode, Kavanoor, Areekode, Vettilappara, Urangattiri, Kizhuparamba, Pulpatta, Narukara, Perakamanna, Pookkottur, Vettikattiri, Pandikkad, Chembrasseri, Anakkayam, Panthalloor, Edavanna, and Manjeri.[20]
Villages in Nilambur Taluk (21)[edit]
Vazhikkadavu, Nilambur, Edakkara, Pullipadam, Karulai, Chungathara, Thiruvali, Karuvarakundu, Amarambalam, Mampad, Kurumbalangode, Akampadam, Tuvvur, Porur, Vellayur, Kalikavu, Kerala Estate, Pothukal, Moothedam, Wandoor, and Chokkad.[20]
Villages in Perinthalmanna Taluk (24)[edit]
Nenmini, Angadippuram, Valambur, Vadakkangara, Moorkkanad, Aliparamba, Puzhakkattiri, Kuruva, Thazhekkod, Koottilangadi, Pathaikara, Edappatta, Mankada, Perinthalmanna, Kuruvambalam, Kodur, Elamkulam, Keezhattur, Melattur, Vettathur, Karyavattam, Arakkuparamba, Anamangad, and Pulamanthole.[20]
Villages in Tirur Taluk (30)[edit]
Tirur, Thalakkad, Triprangode, Mangalam, Vettom, Purathur, Thirunavaya, Ananthavoor, Thrikkandiyur, Tanalur, Tanur, Ozhur, Ponmundam, Cheriyamundam, Valavannur, Kalpakancheri, Perumanna, Niramaruthur, Pariyapuram, Kottakkal, Ponmala, Athavanad, Kattiparuthi, Edayur, Irimbiliyam, Melmuri, Kurumbathur, Marakkara, Kuttippuram, and Naduvattom.[20]
Villages in Tirurangadi Taluk (17)[edit]
Parappur, Abdu Rahiman Nagar, Thenhipalam, Peruvallur, Oorakam, Nannambra, Vengara, Kannamangalam, Othukkungal, Vallikunnu, Moonniyur, Ariyallur, Tirurangadi, Neduva, Parappanangadi, Thennala, and Edarikode.[20]
Villages in Kondotty Taluk (12)[edit]
Cheekkode, Cherukavu, Chelembra, Kondotty, Kuzhimanna, Morayur, Muthuvallur, Nediyiruppu, Pulikkal, Vazhakkad, Pallikkal, and Vazhayoor.[20]
Villages in Ponnani Taluk (11)[edit]
Ponnani Nagaram, Maranchery, Nannamukku, Alamkode, Vattamkulam, Edappal, Perumpadappa, Thavanur, Ezhuvathiruthy, Veliyankode, and Kalady.[20]
Niyamasabha Constituencies[edit]
Before the 2008 delimitation, the district had 12 assembly constituencies. As a result of delimitation, one among them, Kuttippuram assembly constituency defuncted and five new constituencies came into existence- Eranad, Vengara, Vallikunnu, Kottakkal, and Thavanur. Now the district has the highest number of assembly constituencies in the state - 16. [21] Among these, 12 seats are bagged by the UDF and 4 are bagged by the LDF since 2016 Kerala Legislative Assembly election.[22]
Key
Sl.no | Constituency | Reserved for (SC/ST/None) |
Local segments | Member of the 14th Niyamasabha |
Party | Alliance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
33 | Kondotty | None | T. V. Ibrahim | IUML | UDF | |
34 | Eranad | None | P. K. Basheer | IUML | UDF | |
35 | Nilambur | None | P. V. Anvar | Independent | LDF | |
36 | Wandoor | SC | A. P. Anil Kumar | INC | UDF | |
37 | Manjeri | None | M. Ummer | IUML | UDF | |
38 | Perinthalmanna | None | Manjalamkuzhi Ali | IUML | UDF | |
39 | Mankada | None | T. A. Ahmed Kabir | IUML | UDF | |
40 | Malappuram | None | P. Ubaidulla | IUML | UDF | |
41 | Vengara | None | List
|
K. N. A. Khader | IUML | UDF |
42 | Vallikunnu | None | P. Abdul Hameed | IUML | UDF | |
43 | Tirurangadi | None | P. K. Abdu Rabb | IUML | UDF | |
44 | Tanur | None | V. Abdurahiman | Independent | LDF | |
45 | Tirur | None | C. Mammutty | IUML | UDF | |
46 | Kottakkal | None | K. K. Abid Hussain Thangal | IUML | UDF | |
47 | Thavanur | None | K.T. Jaleel | Independent | LDF | |
48 | Ponnani | None | P. Sreeramakrishnan | CPI(M) | LDF |
Lok Sabha Constituencies[edit]
Eranad, Nilambur and Wandoor Niyamasabha constituencies are included in the Wayanad (Lok Sabha constituency) whereas Tirurangadi, Tanur, Tirur, Kottakkal, Thavanur and Ponnani form a major part of Ponnani (Lok Sabha constituency). The remaining seven assembly constituencies together form the Malappuram (Lok Sabha constituency).
Key
Sl.no | Constituency | Reserved for (SC/ST/None) |
Member of the 17th Lok Sabha |
Party | Alliance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 | Wayanad (portion) | None | Rahul Gandhi | INC | UDF |
6 | Malappuram | None | P. K. Kunhalikutty | IUML | UDF |
7 | Ponnani (portion) | None | E. T. Mohammed Basheer | IUML | UDF |
Economy[edit]
Malappuram has the highest number of emigrants in the state. According to the 2016 economic review report published by the Government of Kerala, every 54 per 100 households in the district is emigrants.[23] Most of them work in the Middle East. They are the major contributors to the district economy. They also contribute much to the state economy.
About 1,000 people are aided annually under a self-employment program. There are KINFRA food-processing and IT industrial estates in Kakkancherry[24], Inkel SME Park at Panakkad for Small and Medium Industries and a rubber plant and industrial estate in Payyanad. MALCOSPIN, The Malappuram Spinning Mills Limited is one of the oldest industrial establishments in the district under state Government. Wood-related industries are common in Kottakkal, Edavanna, Vaniyambalam, Karulai, Nilambur and Mampad. Sawmills, furniture manufacturers and the timber trade are the most important businesses in the district. Employees' State Insurance has its branch office at Malappuram. Wood-related industries are in Kottakkal, Edavanna, Vaniyambalam, Karulai, Nilambur and Mampad. Sawmills, furniture manufacturers and the timber trade are the most important businesses in the district. Employees' State Insurance has a branch office in Malappuram.
Transport[edit]
Air[edit]

Malappuram is served by Calicut International Airport (IATA: CCJ, ICAO: VOCL) located at Karipur in the Malappuram district. The airport started operation in April 1988. It has two terminals, one for domestic flights and second for international flights[25]. There are direct buses to the airport for transportation. Other than buses, Taxis, Auto Rickshaws available for transportation.

Rail[edit]
The Malappuram City is served by Angadipuram railway station (17 km away), Parappanangadi Railway Station and Tirur Railway Station both (26 km, 40 minute drive away). Other railway stations are Kuttippuram and Tanur. However Ministry of railways have included the railway line connecting Kozhikode-Malappuram-Angadipuram in its Vision 2020 as socially desirable railway line. Multiple surveys have been done on the line already. Indian Railway computerised reservation counter is available at Friends Janasevana Kendram, Down Hill. Reservation for any train can be done from here.
Distance through road[edit]
Distances from major places to Malappuram in kilometers are given below:
City/Town | Distance (km) | City/Town | Distance (km) | City/Town | Distance (km) | City/Town | Distance (km) | City/Town | Distance (km) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kochi | 161 | Kollam | 295 | Guruvayur | 75 | Kottayam | 224 | Kozhikode | 50 |
Nedumbassery Airport | 147 | Palakkad | 89 | Thrissur | 92 | Thiruvananthapuram | 360 | Ooty | 140 |
Bangalore | 355 | Coimbatore | 138 | Kanyakumari | 458 | Kodaikanal | 239 | Alappuzha | 218 |
Mangalore | 254 | Mysore | 203 | Chennai | 627 | Salem | 301 | Kannur | 141 |
Major cities[edit]
Malappuram has the second highest number of municipalities in the state (12) followed by the Ernakulam which has 13.
No. | Municipal town | Taluk | Wards | Images | No. | Municipal town | Taluk | Wards | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ponnani | Ponnani | 51 | ![]() |
7 | Tirurangadi | Tirurangadi | 39 | ![]() |
2 | Manjeri | Eranad | 50 | ![]() |
8 | Tirur | Tirur | 38 | ![]() |
3 | Parappanangadi | Tirurangadi | 45 | 9 | Perinthalmanna | Perinthalmanna | 34 | ![]() | |
4 | Tanur | Tirur | 44 | ![]() |
10 | Nilambur | Nilambur | 33 | ![]() |
5 | Malappuram | Eranad | 40 | ![]() |
11 | Valanchery | Tirur | 33 | ![]() |
6 | Kondotty | Kondotty | 40 | ![]() |
12 | Kottakkal | Tirur | 32 | ![]() |
Source:[26][27] |
Educational institutions[edit]

Malappuram district plays a significant role in the higher education sector of Kerala. The district is home to two of the main universities in the state- the University of Calicut centered at the Thenjipalam which was established in 1968 as the first university in the Malabar region and the second university in Kerala[28], and theThunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University centered at Tirur which was established in the year 2012. [29]One of the three off-campus centres of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is situated near Perinthalmanna in the district, which was established by AMU in 2010[30] . [31]The Government Medical College, Manjeri, established in 2013, is the apex medical college in the district. [32]The Govt Ayurveda Research Institute for Mental Disease at Pottippara near Kottakkal is the only one Ayurveda mental hospital in Kerala.
Notable people from Malappuram[edit]
Dead[edit]
- E. M. S. Namboodiripad - was an Indian communist politician and theorist, who served as the first Chief Minister of Kerala state in 1957–59 and then again in 1967–69. As a member of the Communist Party of India (CPI), he became the first non-Indian National Congress chief minister in the Indian republic. In 1964, he led a faction of the CPI that broke away to form the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)).[33]
- C. H. Mohammed Koya - was an Indian politician and journalist[34] who served as the eighth Chief Minister of Kerala from October 12 to December 1, 1979. A long-time Secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League, he is the only Muslim to be chosen as the Chief Minister of Kerala.
- Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan- was a Malayalam devotional poet and linguist from around the sixteenth century. Today he is known as the father of modern Malayalam language – the principal language of the Indian state Kerala and the union territory of Lakshadweep – and its literature.[35][36]
- Vallathol Narayana Menon - was a poet in the Malayalam language, which is spoken in the south Indian state of Kerala. He was one of the triumvirate poets of modern Malayalam, along with Kumaran Asan and Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer. The honorific Mahakavi (English: "great poet") was applied to him in 1913 after the publication of his Mahakavya Chitrayogam.[37]
- Poonthanam Nambudiri - was a poet and a devotee of Guruvayurappan, who lived in Keezhattoor. He is remembered for his masterpiece, Jnanappana which means "the song of divine wisdom" in Malayalam.[38]
- Moyinkutty Vaidyar - often referred to as Mahakavi (great poet), is historically considered as one of the most renowned poets of the Mappila pattu genre of Malayalam language.[39]
- Vaidyaratnam P. S. Warrier - was an Ayurvedic physician. He is well-regarded as the founder of Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala, a major Ayurvedic treatment centre in Kerala. In 1902, Varier founded Kottakal Arya Vaidya Sala for the manufacture and sale of ayurvedic medicines which later became synonymous with ayurvedic treatment in India.[40]
- Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri - third student of Achyuta Pisharati, was a member of Madhava of Sangamagrama's Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics. He was a mathematical linguist (vyakarana). His most important scholarly work, Prakriya-sarvasvam, sets forth an axiomatic system elaborating on the classical system of Panini. However, he is best known for his masterpiece, Narayaneeyam, a devotional composition in praise of Guruvayoorappan (Krishna) that is still sung at Guruvayoor Temple.
- Achyutha Pisharadi - was a Sanskrit grammarian, astrologer, astronomer and mathematician who studied under Jyeṣṭhadeva and was a member of Madhava of Sangamagrama's Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics. He is remembered mainly for his part in the composition of his student Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri's devotional poem, Narayaneeyam.
- Edasseri Govindan Nair - was an Indian poet and playwright of Malayalam literature. Known as one of the major poets of Malayalam, Edasseri was a recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry. He was also a recipient of Asan Smaraka Kavitha Puraskaram, which was awarded posthumously.
- Uroob - was an Indian feminist writer of Malayalam literature. Along with Basheer, Thakazhi, Kesavadev, and Pottekkatt, Uroob was counted among the progressive writers in Malayalam during the twentieth century. He was known for his novels such as Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum and Ummachu, short stories like Rachiyamma and the screenplays of a number of Malayalam films including Neelakuyil, the first Malayalam feature film to receive the National Film Award. He was a recipient of several honours including Kendra Sahithya Academy Award and the inaugural Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel.
- Pulikkottil Hyder - was a poet who composed short songs in Arabi-Malayalam on topics of common interest, often attacking social evils. His simple lyrics on the ordinary life of the Mappilas defied the traditional patterns of Mappilappattu thus giving him the name "The Kunchan Nambiar of Mappilappattu". In Vellappokka Maala, he describes a heavy flood that affected all throughout the Malabar, Mysore, and Travancore. The sufferings of common men in the flood are depicted using ordinary Malayalam vocabulary.[41]

- Syed Muhammedali Shihab Thangal - was a Muslim religious leader and politician from Kerala,[42] and one of the most famous Islamic scholars from the Indian state of Kerala.[43] He was the President of the Kerala state committee of the Indian Union Muslim League. Shihab Thangal was a member of the Thangal family,[44][45]
- Mankada Ravi Varma - was an Indian cinematographer and director who worked in Malayalam cinema. He is exclusively known for his association with renowned film-maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan.[46][47][48] He has associated with other major directors such as G. Aravindan and P. N. Menon. He has also directed two films. He has won two National Film Awards and seven Kerala State Film Awards in various categories.
- C. Karunakara Menon - was an Indian journalist and politician from the erstwhile Madras Presidency. He was the second editor of The Hindu after G. Subramania Iyer and the founder of the Indian Patriot. He served as a sub-editor of The Hindu till 1898 and as editor from 1898 to 1905. In 1905, he started the Indian Patriot which was closed in 1924.
Alive[edit]
- Shweta Menon - is an Indian model, actress and television anchor. She won Femina Miss India Asia Pacific 1994. She has predominantly acted in Malayalam and Hindi language films, besides appearing in a number of Tamil productions.
- Gopinath Muthukad - is a magician, and motivational speaker. He employs magic as a medium to convey his messages to public. He founded the first magic academy of Asia at Thiruvananthapuram. In 1995, he became the first magician in the world to perform an escape act in the style of Harry Houdini's act of 1904.[49] In the same year, he was awarded the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy award. He is the winner of the International Merlin Award instituted by the International Magicians' Society.[50]
- Aneesh G. Menon - is an Indian actor in films, theatre and television. He predominantly works in Malayalam cinema.[51][52] His career started at KPSC as a drama artist and has done almost 1000 stages in India.
- Azad Moopen - is an Indian doctor and philanthropist, and a developer of healthcare facilities in Asia-Pacific. He is the chairman and managing director of Aster DM Healthcare, a healthcare conglomerates in the Middle East and India founded in 1987.[53] In 2010 and 2011, he was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman and Padma Shri by the Government of India, respectively.[54] Forbes ranked him 6th in the "Top 100 Indian Leaders in UAE" list,[55] and according to Arabian Business named him as 29th in the "50 Richest Indians in the GCC". His total wealth was estimated at approximately $5.9 billion by Forbes in 2017.[56]
- Zakariya Mohammed - is an award-winning Indian Film director, screenwriter and actor who works in Malayalam Films. Zakariya is best known for his directorial debut Sudani from Nigeria,[57] The movie won Audience Choice Award at Russian film festival[58]
- Anas Edathodika - is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Indian club ATK and the India national football team.
- Iqbal Kuttippuram - is an Indian screenwriter and homeopathy physician. He has written screenplays for popular films such as Niram, Swapnakoodu, and 4 the people.[59]
- K. T. Irfan - is an Indian athlete from Malappuram.[60] He qualified for the London 2012 Olympics in the 20 km walk event.[61]Irfan[62] had previously competed in the Federation Cup at Patiala, clocking a personal best of 1:22:09. At the London 2012 Olympics he set the Indian national record in the 20 km walk with a timing of 1:20:21 and ranked 10th. In March 2013, Irfan finished 5th in the IAAF 20 km Race Walking Challenge event held at Taicang, China.
- Shahabaz Aman - [63] is an Indian playback singer and composer. He is also a stage performer of Ghazal music. Shahabaz is known for his soulful, romantic voice and unique style of singing. He has released many music albums of various genres and performed across India and Persian Gulf countries.[64][65]
- Nirupama Rao - served as India's Foreign Secretary from 2009 to 2011, as well as being India's Ambassador to the United States, China and Sri Lanka (High Commissioner) during her career. In July 2009, she became the second woman (after Chokila Iyer) to hold the post of India's Foreign Secretary, the head of the Indian Foreign Service. In her career she served in several capacities including, Minister of Press, Information and Culture in Washington DC, Deputy Chief of Mission in Moscow, stints in the MEA as Joint Secretary, East Asia and External Publicity, the latter position making her the first woman spokesperson of the MEA, Chief of Personnel, Ambassador to Peru and China, and High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.[66][67]
- U. Sharaf Ali - is a former Indian International football player.[68][69] His playing position was defender. Sharaf played for Calicut University during his college days.[70]
Demand for bifurcation of Malappuram[edit]
For a few years, the demand for bifurcating the district into two districts by carving out a new one called Tirur district, centered at Tirur is being strengthened.[71] They argue that it is imperative from the development perspective to split the district, with double the population and size of Alappuzha district, into two. No other district in Kerala has seven talukas, 94 village panchayats, and 12 municipalities. As for its extent, if one travels from Perumbadappu which borders Thrissur district to Vazhikkadavu bordering Tamil Nadu, normally it takes four hours to cover that distance of 126 km. They also point out that the problems in the health and educational sectors that require solutions are not trivial. The Government Medical College in Manjeri has not yet overcome its teething troubles. The hospital functioning with it has also not been raised from the level of a district hospital. A significant section of the children who came out with flying colours in their SSLC examination lacks the facilities for higher education. The imbalance in allocating higher secondary schools still continues unresolved. All the same, it is a fact that the government policy of increasing without restriction the number of students in class XI is adversely affecting their educational standard and discipline. But the demand was rejected by the two successive governments who ruled Kerala in 2013 and in 2019.[72][73]
Tourism[edit]
- Kottakkunnu
- Arimbra Hills, also known as 'Mini-Ooty'.
- Nilambur Teak Museum
- Bharathappuzha
- Kodikuthimala
- Cherumb eco tourism village, Karuvarakundu
- Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
- Adyanpara Falls in Nilambur
- Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala
- Nedumkayam forests located in Karulai
- Biyyam Kayal in Ponnani
- Maha Kavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Smaraka in Kondotty
- Nilambur Kovilakam [74][75]
Photo gallery[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
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External links[edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Malappuram district. |
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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Malappuram District. |