Socio-cultural Processes and Livelihood Patterns at Tirurangadi - CDS

Kadavus in the waterlogged areas seem to have been of temporary nature. However,
long-distance water routes from velimukku and Nannambra, carrying both merchandise
and people in boats to places such as Calicut and Feroke appear to have existed until
recently. Small markets appeared near such ferries, and most of them have disappeared
today, along with the ferries, after bridges and other land links began to be made. Major
kadavus disappeared with the appearance of the bridges, but the market centres have
remained. The best example is the market centers of Palathinkal and pallippadi, on either
side of the bridge connecting Tirurangadi and Parappanangadi, and the market at
Parakkadavu, which has a history much longer than the present bridge. The markets at
Poorappuzha, Olipramkadavu, and Thayyilakkadavu can be put in the same category.
The growth of the modern market centers have almost entirely been dictated by the
growth of rail and road traffic. The best example of this transformation is the growth of
modern Parappanangadi, which is actually in the village of Neduva. The reason was the
establishment of the Railway station named Parappanangadi during the beginning of
twentieth century. A number of shops began to appear in the present Parappanangadi
road, which was originally a minor by-line of the Tipu sultan road. Gradually, Tipu
Sultan road was abandoned, and entire commercial activities shifted to the present
Parappanangadi town. However, similar transformation has not occurred near
Vallikkunnu railway station, which is almost as old as Parappanangadi. Vallikkunnu has
remained a rural Panchayat with only minor marketing centers. Another case is the
development of Chemmad, where there was only a small market earlier, but now has
developed into a commercial center. Access of Chemmad via road with nearly every
region in the field area is a possible reason for its growth. This accessibility is indicated
by the number of buses and mini-buses passing by Chemmad linking the entire field area
and the adjoining parts. Another growing market center is Chelari, which started as a
cattle market. A plant of the Indian Oil Corporation was established later, and then there