Vellakkattu Mana holds a treasure of history

KOZHIKODE: The researchers from Calicut University history department have discovered rare manuscripts and diaries from Vellakkattu Mana in Vaniyambalam, Malappuram. The documents throw light on the life  of Brahmins in Malabar and others  during the final years of British Raj. Vellakkattu Mana was a vassal of Zamorins and the Bhattathiris of the house were considered as  experts in Yajur Veda practices who were even invited for the Murajapam function of Travancore royals.

The researchers also found magazines like ‘Keralam’ published by Kadathanadu Rajah, ‘Janmi’ published by Kerala Janmi Sabha, ‘Sivaji’ published from Nilambur and old newspapers which required scientific preservation. “The Vallikkattu Mana and surrounding areas are rich in historical documents with the scope for research.  Whatever we have found so far will  give us details about the society in British Malabar and the entry of European modernisation into the orthodox Brahmin life,” said Dr P. Sivadasan, head of the history department.

Some of the interesting documents among the collection detail the foodgrain stock mode and ration system that existed in the 1940s in the region. The palm leaves detailing the various tantric practices are also among the documents. “Another interesting finding was the diaries written by Vellakkattu Narayanan Bhattathirippad in the 1930s and 1940s. The diaries provide us vast information about the society and the transformation that happened in the families,” Dr Sivadasan added.

Calicut University will soon conduct a camp at the Mana  to study the documents and also  preserve them.  The research team visited the house on the invitation of Dr Dinesh Bhattathiri of the Mana. Recently, the department had conducted a three-day residential  archives clinic and local history workshop at Karikkad Subrahmania Swami Temple,  nearby institutions and ancient houses in Manjery with the help of Kerala state archives department.