Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, is the third largest city in Kerala. Its beginnings are rooted in trade and multiculturalism. Established by the Zamorins between the thirteenth and the fourteenth centuries, monsoon winds brought merchants to this port city—placing it at the center of the famed spice trade, connecting East Africa, Arabia, the Indonesian islands and East Asia. 

The discovery of a sea route around the southern tip of Africa paved the way for explorer Vasco da Gama’s arrival on the shores of Kozhikode in 1498, marking the beginning of the Portuguese Crown’s campaign to monopolize the Indian Ocean trade. In 1972, the British gained control of the region after defeating Mysore’s forces, later making Kozhikode the capital of the British Malabar district. It was established as a Municipality in 1866, and became a City Corporation in 1962.

The first article At the Ocean’s Crossroads chronicles this storied history of Kozhikode, while An Architectural Overview presents its built heritage and historic spaces.

The city recently gained recognition as a UNESCO City of Literature. Tracing Kozhikode’s Literary Heritage and A Persisting Love for Stories explore its literary legacy. 

Nostalgia permeates The Era of Music Clubs and Cinema in the City, which reflect on music clubs, single-screen theaters and movie legends, now fading into memory. Performing Arts of the Region shifts the focus to traditional art forms that are still practised.

Kozhikode’s passion for football and food takes center stage in The Religion Called Football and A Culinary Mosaic, respectively.

Finally, we return to the city’s maritime past with The Beypore Uru Prevails, highlighting the 2000-year-old tradition of wooden shipbuilding which endures in Beypore’s boatyards.

Much like the uru, each thread of Kozhikode’s heritage traces back through centuries. The curation seeks to weave together these stories, inviting you to discover the city across time.