Socio-cultural Processes and Livelihood Patterns at Tirurangadi - CDS

Parappanangadi, particularly in Alungal beach, where the malikas of old landowning and
merchant families like the Nahas can still be seen. Malikas are large single structures
unlike the nalukettus which do not have auxiliary structures as in an illam and are tiled,
made of laterite stone, and plastered with mortar. Like the taravad houses, the malikas are
also in a state of dilapidation, unless they are renovated by an enthusiastic owner. There
are also a few old buildings called Bungalows, which are evidently of European
Construction. The most important Bungalow is the building that inhabited the katchery at
Tirurangadi, and the building that was the prison house. There was a Bungalow used by
the British who supervised the construction of the railway line in a place called
Bungalowkunnu in Vallikkunnu, and another Bungalow in Thalappara which came into
the hands of a Muslim household, named Illikkal.
However, the pattern of a house-site as described earlier has undergone significant
changes. The concept of a house within more expansive thodi or house-site with several
puras or constructions has become less feasible. The old taravads have been partitioned
and all the parts have built their own houses and divided the parambas and fields.
Nuclearisation of households has been another factor in the increase of houses and house-
sites. Large Muslim households with numerous members are similarly splintered which
have also resulted in the emergence of new house-sites. Apart from this there has been
the normal expansion of population and the increase of in-migrants, particularly
Government servants, college and University employees, schoolteachers and so on.
Numerous parambas have been subdivided into a number of house-sites, and some of
them have passed through several hands before coming into the hands of the present
occupant. This process has resulted in the emergence of a large number of new houses.
Changes taking place in social relations have also resulted in changes in the housing
pattern. A large number of house-sites have emerged as a result of the kudikidappukar
legislation through which a number of agricultural laborers and cultivators received