Socio-cultural Processes and Livelihood Patterns at Tirurangadi - CDS

more detailed archeological and geological investigation into the area, which appears to
have had commercial significance.
Apart from the mainland Kadalundi there are a number of thiruttis in the azhimukham,
and the river takes several twists and turns around several land formations before it
finally joins the sea. One of these formations might have become the earlier habitat. And
later the entire area came to be called Kadalundi. The tradition among the local people
that the original Kadalundi was the nagaram to the south of the river, and the central area
shifted to the north of the river only recently, after the coming railway station and the
bridge will have to be taken seriously. Unfortunately, unlike Musiri or Kodungallur
which had a long historical and cultural tradition and hence has attracted the attention of
archeologists and historians alike, Thondi has just remained a name found in the early
Tamil songs and roman notices, which has since disappeared. The historian and the
archeologist are yet to make a serious study of the region.
A few geological features of the area seem to be significant in this context. Geologists
have shown that the coastal area and a part of the interior region mainly consist of
riverside alluvial soil that has been formed recently. (Resource based perspective plan for
2020AD, Karalla Land Use Board, 1997). The sea appears to have advanced and receded
several times, and the river has also changed its course. Discovery of river sand and
seashells and other objects while digging wells may signify the early layers left by such
advance and withdrawal. Hence it is not impossible to visualize a coastal formation
different from that of today and the existence of a port that was located at the confluence
of the river and the sea, of which Kadalundi Nagaram is the area that has remained today.
Perhaps the thiruttis that we see today were also part of the same formation.
Another feature also appears to be significant. Adjacent to Kadalundi and in between the
rivers of Chaliyar and Kadalundi, there appears to be a number of places where early
terus or market centers may be located. Thus we have Idimuzhiikkal, Pallikkal