View source for Thalassery

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
<!--{{Merge from|Thalassery Railway Station|date=March 2009}}-->
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Thalassery City
| other_name               = Tellicherry
| nickname                 =
| settlement_type          = City
| image_skyline            = Thalassery Montage.jpg
| image_alt                = Thalassery Montage
| image_caption            = Clockwise from top: statue of [[Hermann Gundert]], [[Kalaripayattu]], [[Muzhappilangad Beach]], [[Tellicherry Fort]], [[Theyyam]], Thalassery spice market, a cannon inside [[St. Angelo Fort]], [[Thalassery Pier]]
| image_map                = 
| map_alt                  = 
| map_caption              = 
| pushpin_map              = India Kerala#India#Asia#Earth
| pushpin_label_position   = left
| pushpin_map_alt          = 
| pushpin_map_caption      = Thalassery ([[india]])
| coordinates              = {{coord|11|44|56.8|N|75|29|20.4|E|display=inline,title}}[https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Thalassery&params=11_44_56.8_N_75_29_20.4_E_type:city_region:IN-KL]
| subdivision_type         = [[Country]]
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1        = [[States and union territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Kerala]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Kannur district|Kannur]]
| established_title        = Municipality
| established_date         = 1 November 1866
| founder                  = 
| named_for                = 
| government_type          = Municipality
| governing_body           = Thalassery Municipality
| leader_title             = Municipal Chairman
| leader_name              = Jamunarani
| leader_title1            = Member of [[Lok Sabha|Parliament]]
| leader_name1             = 
| leader_title2            = Member of [[Vidhan Sabha|Legislative Assembly]]
| leader_name2             = [[A.N. Shamseer]]
| leader_title3            = [[Assistant commissioner of police|Assistant City Commissioner of Police]]
| leader_name3             = V. Suresh
| unit_pref                = Metric
| area_footnotes           = 
| area_total_km2           = 23.96
| area_rank                = 
| elevation_footnotes      = 
| elevation_m              = 33.02
| population_total         = 92,558<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref>
| population_as_of         = 2011
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_density_km2   = 
| population_rank          = 
| population_demonym       = Thalasserikaran
| demographics_type1       = [[Language]]s
| demographics1_title1     = Official
| timezone1                = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1              = +5:30
| postal_code_type         = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code              = 6701xx
| area_code                = +91490xxxxxxx
| area_code_type           = [[Telephone]] code
| registration_plate       = KL-58
| blank1_name_sec1         = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]]
| blank1_info_sec1         = 1000:1125 [[male|♂]]/[[female|♀]]
| website                  = {{URL|www.thalasserymunicipality.lsgkerala.gov.in|Thalasserymunicipality}}
| footnotes                = 
| demographics1_info1      = [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], [[English language|English]]
| blank2_name_sec1         = [[Lok Sabha|Parliament]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1         = [[Vatakara (Lok Sabha constituency)|Vatakara]]
| blank3_name_sec1         = [[Vidhan Sabha|Legislative Assembly]] constituency
| blank3_info_sec1         = [[Thalassery (State Assembly constituency)|Thalassery]]
| official_name            = TLY
| native_name              =
| population_urban_footnotes = 
| motto                    = 
| area_metro_km2           = 
| population_metro         = 
| leader_name4             = 
| leader_title4            = 
| area_metro_footnotes     = 
}}

'''Thalassery''' ({{IPA|ml|t̪ɐlɐʃ(ː)eːɾi|lang|Thalassery-pronunciation.ogg}}) (also called '''Tellicherry)'''<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Govt-approves-change-in-names-of-25-towns/articleshow/11859587.cms "Govt approves change in names of 25 towns"]. ''[[The Times of India]]''. 12 February 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2015.</ref> is a city and municipality on the [[Malabar Coast]] in [[Kannur district]] in the state of [[Kerala]], India, bordered by the [[List of districts of India|districts]] of [[Mahe, India|Mahe]] and [[Kozhikode district|Kozhikode]]. Thalassery municipality has a population of just under 100,000 as of 2011 [[census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/ |title=Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |website=Censusindia.gov.in |access-date=2016-08-07}}</ref> Thalassery Heritage City has an area of {{convert|23.98|km2}}. Thalassery has an altitude ranging from {{convert|2.5 to 30|m}} above mean sea-level. It is located 25 km (15 mi) from [[Vatakara|Vadakara]], 15 km (10 mi) from [[Mahé, India|Mahé]] and 22 km (13 mi) from [[Kannur]]. 

Tellicherry municipality was formed on 1 November 1866 according to the Madras Act 10 of 1865 (Amendment of the Improvements in City act 1850)<ref name="Ref1">{{cite web |url=http://www.lawmin.nic.in/chronology.doc |title=CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF CENTRAL ACTS (Updated up to 17-10-2014) |website=Lawmin.nic.in |access-date=2016-08-07 |archive-date=7 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107091128/http://lawmin.nic.in/chronology.doc |url-status=dead }}</ref> of the [[British Indian Empire]], making it the second oldest municipality in the state. At that time, the municipality was known as Tellicherry Commission and Tellicherry was the capital of [[North Malabar]]. G. M. Ballard, the [[Malabar District|Malabar]] collector, was the first president of the municipal commission. A European barrister, A. F. Lamaral, would later become the first Chairman of Thalassery municipality.<ref name="munihistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.thalasserymunicipality.in/ml/history |title=ചരിത്രം &#124; Thalassery Municipality |website=Thalasserymunicipality.in |access-date=2016-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808093022/http://www.thalasserymunicipality.in/ml/history |archive-date=2016-08-08}}</ref> Thalassery grew into a prominent place during European rule, due to its strategic geographic location.<ref name="history" /> Thalassery has played a significant historical, cultural, educational and commercial role in the history of India, especially during the colonial period. On 9 February 2014, Thalassery taluk was split in two<ref>{{cite news|title=Chandy inaugurates Iritty taluk|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/chandy-inaugurates-iritty-taluk/article5672227.ece|access-date=20 April 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=10 February 2014}}</ref> and [[Iritty]] taluk was formed. The northeastern hilly region of the former Thalassery Taluk, including [[Peravoor]], Aralam, Ayyankunnu, [[Kottiyoor]], and [[Kelakam, India|Kelakam]], are within the [[Iritty]] Taluk area.

==Etymology==
The name ''Thalassery'' likely originated from a combination of the [[Dravidian languages|Dravidian]] words ''Thala'' (Head) and ''cheri'' (low lying settlement), meaning 'starting place of a settlement' or 'head of a settlement'. It could also have emerged from ''Talakkathe cheri'', a combination of ''Talakkathe'' (upper or north) and ''Cheri'' (settlement).

The second volume of the 1885 administration manual of the former Madras Presidency cites, which includes information on the research of regional legends and folklore, indicates that the name ''Thalassery'' in ancient [[Sanskrit literature]] was Shwetaranyapura.<ref name="history">{{cite web|author=Team Thalassery |url=http://www.thalassery.info/history.htm |title=THALASSERY – History |website=Thalassery.info |access-date=2016-08-07}}</ref>

==Modern history==
{{Moresources|section|date=July 2023}}
{{Main|History of Thalassery}}
[[File:Wellington, soldier and statesman, and the revival of the military power of England (1904) (14593177119).jpg|left|thumbnail|An old map of India in 1804. Note that only Thalassery, [[Kozhikode]], and [[Kochi]], are marked as cities within the present-day state of [[Kerala]].]]
[[File:Vasco da Gama - 1838.png|thumb|left|The trade alliance between Vasco da Gama and Kolathiri gave Portugal direct access to the spice trade, especially for pepper.]]

Thalassery was a trade hub where [[Dutch East India Company|Dutch]], [[British Empire|British]], [[Portugal|Portuguese]], [[Chinese people|Chinese]], [[Arab]], and [[Jews|Jewish]] traders had considerable influence in the spice market.

The British established a trading post and built a factory at Tellicherry in 1694, having gained permission from Vadakkalankur, the [[prince regent]] of the Raja of Kolathunad. They had already been trading on the [[Malabar coast]] for much of that century, buying pepper from merchants, and had established a similar post at [[Travancore]] ten years earlier.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Notes on the Colonial State with Reference to Malabar in the 18th and 19th Centuries |first=Bonaventure |last=Swai |journal=Social Scientist |volume=6 |issue=12 |date=July 1978 |pages=44–65 |doi=10.2307/3516674 |jstor=3516674 }}</ref>

In 1761, the British captured [[Mahe, India|Mahe]], which lies adjacent to Thalassery, and the settlement was handed over to the ruler of [[Kadathanadu]].<ref name="Mahe"/> The British restored [[Mahe, India|Mahe]] to the French as a part of the 1763 Treaty of Paris.<ref name="Mahe"/> In 1779, the Anglo-French war broke out, resulting in the French loss of [[Mahe, India|Mahe]].<ref name="Mahe"/> In 1783, the British agreed to restore to the French their settlements in India, and [[Mahe, India|Mahe]] was handed over to the French in 1785.<ref name="Mahe">{{cite web|url=http://mahe.gov.in/mws/leftmenupages/history.html|title=History of Mahe|access-date=19 April 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230232052/http://mahe.gov.in/mws/leftmenupages/history.html|archive-date=30 December 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Boite aluminium de poivre de Tellichery.jpg|thumbnail|upright|Tellicherry pepper is a [[black pepper]] variety. This is a product of ''Terre Exotique'', France.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.terreexotique.fr/ |title=Terre Exotique – Épicerie fine en ligne |website=Terreexotique.fr |access-date=2016-08-07}}</ref>]]

After the annexation of Malabar, the British called upon Thalassery, the royal families and other major Nair and Namboothiri feudal lords to return, but this was heavily opposed by some local rulers. Along with heavy taxation and laws that curbed free movement, the appeal resulted in multiple uprisings against the British with heavy casualties to British forces. Thousands of soldiers were killed, but the resistance was eventually defeated.

[[File:Water-colour painting of Tellicherry.jpg|thumb|Watercolour painting of Tellicherry]]

==Geography==
[[File:Aerial view of thalassery.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of Tellicherry coast]]

Thalassery lies on the west coast of the [[Indian subcontinent]], in the northern part of [[Kerala|Kerala State]]. The city has Dharmadam Panchayat in the north, Eranholi and Kodiyeri in the east New Mahe in the south and the [[Arabian Sea]] on the west. The palm-fringed terrain has a scenic coastline and features four rivers, canals and hills with orange-hued rock. One of the four rivers is the [[Mahe River]] (Mayyazhipuzha). During the [[British Raj]], the Mahe River was nicknamed the [[English Channel]] because it separated British-ruled Thalassery from French-ruled [[Mahe, India|Mahe]]. Other rivers are Kuyyali River, Ummanchira River and [[Anjarakandi River]]. [[Muzhappilangad Beach]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maps.google.co.in/maps?q=muzhappilangad+beach&ie=UTF-8&hl=en |title=Google Maps |website=Maps.google.co.in |access-date=2016-08-07}}</ref> the sole beach where driving is possible in Kerala (with a 4&nbsp;km long drivable area),<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130928194236/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-12/kozhikode/35068344_1_kannur-tourist-inflow-electrification-work Neglect ruins Muzhappilangad beach]. ''[[The Times of India]]''. (12 November 2012).</ref> is located within 6&nbsp;km from the downtown part of Thalassery.

Unlike southern Kerala, the region of Thalassery does not have lagoons, although many rivers flow through it. Thalassery however has a large area of mangroves, which is now being protected. The coast has no delta formation. The coastal plain is only a few kilometres in width and is bordered by highlands. The north of Thalassery is Dharmadam, an island area surrounded by two rivers and the sea. On the eastern side, hilly areas start from Kuthuparamba.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/malabar-coast |title=Malabar Coast – India Environment Portal &#124; News, reports, documents, blogs, data, analysis on environment & development &#124; India, South Asia |publisher=India Environment Portal |access-date=2016-08-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.terrestrial-biozones.net/Paleotropic%20BioProvinces/Malabar%20BioProvince.html |title=Malabar Biodiversity |website=Terrestrial-biozones.net |access-date=2016-08-07}}</ref>

==Demographics==
As of the 2001 India census,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Thalassery had a population of 92,558, making it Kerala's eighth largest city in population. Males constituted 47% of the population and females 53%. The city had an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Both male and female literacy were 86%. In Thalassery, 10% of the population were under 6 years of age.

The Thalassery urban agglomeration consists of the Thalassery municipality and panchayaths of [[Eranholi]], [[Kadirur]], [[Dharmadam]], [[Muzhappilangad]], [[Pinarayi]] and [[New Mahe]] with a present population of around 300,000.

Hindus made up 61.37% of the population, followed by Muslims (34.30%), and Christians (3.64%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref>

==Culture==
{{Moresources|section|date=July 2023}}
{{Main|Culture of Thalassery}}
Thalassery is nicknamed the city of three Cs -- Cake, Cricket and Circus. The first bakery in Kerala was established in the city and cricket was first played in India here. The British had considerable impact on local culture. As an ancient trade center, the trading and business relations that existed with the Europeans and the Arabs brought people and ideas from many other lands. The European [[Christian missionary|Christian missionaries]] and the educational reforms they brought played an important role in transforming society.

[[File:Muchilottu Bhagavathy Theyyam.jpg|thumbnail|"Mukathezhuthu", the face painting of Theyyam, a religious ritual art form in Thalassery]]

The Government of Kerala has included Thalassery in its heritage city project. The project includes the preservation of historical structures.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralatourism.org/news/206/thalassery-heritage-circuit |title=Archived copy |access-date=24 October 2010 |archive-date=23 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823021130/https://www.keralatourism.org/news/206/thalassery-heritage-circuit |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kannuruniversity.ac.in/index.php?option%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D155%26Itemid%3D134 |title=Thalassery Campus, Palayad |access-date=2013-05-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530021507/http://kannuruniversity.ac.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=155&Itemid=134 |archive-date=30 May 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Celebrating the culinary legacy of Thalassery|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/celebrating-the-culinary-legacy-of-thalassery/article13374820.ece|access-date=25 September 2018|newspaper=The Hindu|date=21 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Thalassery serves a slice of its history|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/thalassery-serves-a-slice-of-its-history/article13377668.ece|access-date=27 September 2018|newspaper=The Hindu|date=23 January 2012}}</ref>
[[Thalassery cuisine]] (a blend of Arabian, Persian, Indian and European styles of cooking) is popular around the world. Thalassery biryani is popular as an ethnic brand, and Tellicherry pepper is also used in Europe.

Painting and sculpture exhibitions are frequently held at the [[Kerala Lalithakala Akademi]] art gallery located in Keezhantimukk, Thiruvangad. 

===Theyyam===
[[Theyyam]] (or Thirayattam) is a ritual performance art form<ref>{{cite web|title=The Science of "Theyyam" |url=http://www.theyyamcalendar.com/history/thaiparadevatha |publisher=theyyamcalendar |access-date=28 July 2013 |year=2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927171018/http://www.theyyamcalendar.com/history/thaiparadevatha |archive-date=27 September 2013 }}</ref> that depict the cultural heritage of North Malabar, especially of ancient [[Kolathunad]]. Theyyam depicts [[Ganas|Shiva bhutaganas]], [[Kali]] and other deities and cultural heroes and ancestors of the region. The drama is enacted based on ancient stories and the language used is "Tottam pattu", north Malabar dialect of Malayalam. Theyyam is usually held from October to May every year. The colour of Theyyam,  is typically red. [[Religion in ancient Tamilakam#:~:text="Veriyattam" refers to spirit possession,men as well as women.|Velan]], a reporter and prophet endowed with supernatural powers in Veriyatal is described in the [[Sangam literature]] 500 CE. It could have been a tribal ritual art which evolved under Buddhism and the Brahminic revival of Hinduism. This art form is called, variously, "Kaliyattom" or "Theyyam" or "Tirayattom", depending on the locality.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Theyyam|url=http://www.keralatourism.org/bekal/theyyam-history.php|publisher=Kerala Tourism|access-date=28 July 2013|year=2012}}</ref>

==Literature and journalism==
{{Moresources|section|date=July 2023}}
The first Malayalam short story [[Vasanavikriti]] was written by [[Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar]] in Thalassery. [[Indulekha (novel)|Indulekha]], the first major Malayalam novel was published from Thalassery. [[Veena Poovu (poem)|Veenapoovu]], the poem by [[Kumaran Asan]] was also published from Thalassery. Thinker and orator [[M N Vijayan]] spent a lifetime in Thalassery. Thalassery is also home to writer [[N. Prabhakaran]]. Actor and screenwriter [[Sreenivasan]] hails from Thalassery.

[[William Logan (author)|William Logan]] was said to be fluent in [[Malayalam]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Telugu language|Telugu]]. He is remembered for his 1887 guide to the [[Malabar District]], popularly known as the ''Malabar Manual''.

[[Rajyasamacharam]] and Paschimodayam (the first two Malayalam newspapers) were published from Illikunnu, Nettoor in Tellicherry in 1847 by [[Hermann Gundert]], who was the editor of the journal and was a religious propagator from the [[Basel_Mission|Basel Evangelical Mission Society (BEMP)]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Gundert was foster father of Malayalam, says MGS|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/gundert-was-foster-father-of-malayalam-says-mgs/article8186281.ece|access-date=19 September 2018|newspaper=The Hindu|date=3 February 2016}}</ref> Rajyasamacharam started publishing from Illikkunnu in Thalassery City.

==Circus==
Vishnu Pant Chhatre's Great Indian Circus, established in 1880 in Bombay, was the first circus establishment in India. A tour of Thalassery led to the meeting of Chhatre with [[Keeleri Kunhikannan]], a martial arts trainer.{{sfn|Menon|2007|p=436}} Keeleri Kunjikannan established the first dedicated circus school in India in 1901. He is known as "the father of Kerala Circus". A circus academy was inaugurated in Thalassery in 2010.<ref>{{cite news|title=Circus is trying to regain its lost sheen in Thalassery|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-08-17/news/27572035_1_indian-circus-cinema-hall-academy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928193028/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-08-17/news/27572035_1_indian-circus-cinema-hall-academy|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 September 2013|access-date=11 September 2013|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=17 August 2010}}</ref>

==Cuisine==
{{Main|Thalassery cuisine}}
<!-- The picture is moved back to cuisine section -->
[[File:Ripe jackfruit.jpg|thumb|Jackfruit from Dharmadam]]
[[File:Thalassery Falooda.jpg|thumbnail|[[Thalassery cuisine]]]]

Thalassery is known for its [[biryani]] (in local dialect, biri-yaa-ni)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mysingaporekitchen.com/2012/11/thalassery-biriyani.html |title=My Singapore Kitchen........: Thalassery Biriyani |access-date=4 July 2013|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055629/http://www.mysingaporekitchen.com/2012/11/thalassery-biriyani.html |archive-date=21 September 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pandit to add might to Thalassery biryani|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2012/dec/11/pandit-to-add-might-to-thalassery-biryani-432906.html/article8186281.ece|access-date=19 September 2018|newspaper=The New Indian Express|date=11 December 2012}}{{dead link|date=February 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Unlike other biriyani cuisines, [[Thalassery biryani]] uses [[Kaima]]/[[Jeerakasala]] rice instead of the usual [[basmati rice]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://myexperimentswithfood.blogspot.in/2011_09_01_archive.html |title=My Experiments With Food |website=Myexperimentswithfood.blogspot.in |access-date=7 August 2016}}</ref> [[Porridge]]s such as {{transliteration|ml|mutaari kachiyatu}} (ragi porridge) are also popular.<ref name=cuisine1>{{cite news|title=Thalassery to Kochi via food|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/thalassery-to-kochi-via-food/article5397538.ece|access-date=17 December 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=27 November 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Thalassery biriyani in dining table.jpg|thumb|Thalassery biriyani]]

The spice trade from the Malabar coast which began around 1500 BC is still active.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spiceography.com/tellicherry-pepper/|title=Tellicherry Pepper: Black Pepper from the Malabar Coast|date=13 November 2017}}</ref>

==Cricket==
[[File:Stadium tly.jpg|thumb|top|right|Thalassery Municipal Stadium]]

In 1800, [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington]] made Thalassery (then Tellicherry) his base. Wellesley and his colleagues played cricket in the town maidan, often watched by bystanders, who would help the English officers whenever they were short of players. They played were from the [[dhobi]] community and the fishermen who lived along the beach. In 1830, the Tellicherry Cricket Club (TCC) was formed. By the 1930s Thalassery had become a major cricket centre. Many teams used to visit the town for matches. The earliest record of a cricket match in Thalassery is a report in ''[[Malayala Manorama]]'' in 1890. It's about a match between Thalassery and the neighbouring town of Kannur.<ref>{{cite news|last=Radhakrishnan|first=M. G.|title=A coastal town in Kerala celebrates the bicentenary of its cricket tradition|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/offtrack/story/20020520-a-coastal-town-in-kerala-celebrates-the-bicentenary-of-its-cricket-tradition-795246-2002-05-20|access-date=27 November 2020|work=[[India Today]]|date=20 May 2002}}</ref>

[[Thalassery Stadium]], located close to the sea, hosts [[Ranji Trophy]] [[cricket]] matches quite often. Wellesley is believed to have introduced this game in Kerala in the 18th century for British soldiers garrisoned in the Tellichery Fort.<ref name="keralacricketonline.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.keralacricketonline.com |title=Welcome on server s4! |access-date=2010-10-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014130705/http://www.keralacricketonline.com/ |archive-date=14 October 2010 }}</ref> India's first cricket club, which was later named the Town Cricket Club, was formed in 1850 at Tellichery by Wellesley.<ref name="keralacricketonline.com"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/sportsmain.htm |title=Official Website of Information And Public Relation Department of Kerala |website=Prd.kerala.gov.in |access-date=2016-08-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060428081830/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/sportsmain.htm |archive-date=28 April 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://hindu.com/2002/03/31/stories/2002033104841800.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123082232/http://hindu.com/2002/03/31/stories/2002033104841800.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-23 |title=Thalassery celebrates a 'double century' |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=2002-03-31 |access-date=2016-08-07}}</ref> The Tellichery Cricket ground was the hub of cricket activities during this period. An exhibition match was conducted in there to raise funds during the [[First World War]].<ref name="keralacricketonline.com"/>{{better source needed|date=May 2019}}

==Education==
{{Main article|List of educational institutions in Thalassery}}
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The educational renaissance of Malabar started from Thalassery due to the influence of European missionaries. [[Government Brennen College, Thalassery]], founded in 1862, is one of the oldest educational institutions in India.

[[Kannur University]] Thalassery Campus is located at Palayad, 6&nbsp;km north of Thalassery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kerala.gov.in/dept_collegiate/list.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2008-07-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080810221656/http://www.kerala.gov.in/dept_collegiate/list.htm |archive-date=10 August 2008 }}</ref> The [[Basel Evangelical Mission Parsi High School, Thalassery|Basel Evangelic Mission Parsi High school]] is an English Medium school (established 1856) in Malabar. Dr. [[Hermann Gundert]] was a tutor there. Kaikose Ruderasha, a [[Parsi]], donated funds to build the institute with the assistance of German missionaries.<ref>{{cite web|author=Team Thalassery |url=http://www.thalassery.info/education/bemp.htm |title=THALASSERY – Education – BEMP Higher Secondary school |website=Thalassery.info |access-date=2016-08-07}}</ref>

Other educational institutions include [[Sports Authority of India]] Centre, [[Nettur Technical Training Foundation]], [[St Joseph's Higher Secondary School, Thalassery|St Joseph's Higher Secondary School]], [[Sacred Heart Girls High School, Thalassery|Sacred Heart Girls High School]], and [[Basel Evangelical Mission Parsi High School, Thalassery|Basel Evangelical Mission Parsi High School]].

==Transport==
[[Thalassery Railway Station]] operates under the Palakkad Railway Division of the Southern Railway. It is a Class 'A' railway station. It is on the [[Shoranur]] – [[Mangalore]] line. No direct line connects Thalasery to Mysore, although a feasibility study for such a route was funded in 2013.<ref>[https://epaper.newindianexpress.com/198723/The-New-Indian-Express-Kannur/16122013#page/2/1: Thalassery-Mysore Rail Link: Survey Via Long Route Raises Eye Brows]. "[[The New Indian Express]]". (16 December 2013).</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130928094245/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-04/kozhikode/33581573_1_mysore-and-thalassery-thalassery-mysore-railway-line-resurvey Thalassery-Mysore rail link: Railways to conduct resurvey]. ''[[The Times of India]]''. (4 September 2012).</ref>

The nearest airport is [[Kannur International Airport]], located 24&nbsp;km east from the town.<ref>[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/kerala-cm-to-flag-off-inaugural-flight-from-kannur-airport-on-december-9/articleshow/66509514.cms]. "[[The Times of India]]". (5 November 2018).</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kannurairport.org |title=Kannur Airport |access-date=2010-11-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127061215/http://www.kannurairport.org:80/ |archive-date=27 November 2010 }}</ref> [[Calicut International Airport]] 100&nbsp;km, [[Mangalore International Airport]] 170&nbsp;km and [[Cochin International Airport]] 235&nbsp;km could be alternate choices.

Kanyakumari-Mumbai [[National Highway 66 (India)|NH-66]] passes through Thalassery. Kozhikode is 66&nbsp;km from Thalassery. Mangalore is 150&nbsp;km from Thalassery. Interstate highway, Thalassery-Coorg Road ([[State Highway 30 (Kerala)|SH-30]]) is a major road linking Kerala to [[Kodagu]] district of [[Karnataka]] State.  Interstate buses ply on this route in a frequency of one in an hour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.keralapwd.gov.in |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-03-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721161422/http://www.keralapwd.gov.in/ |archive-date=21 July 2011 }}</ref> The hill stations [[Virajpet]] in [[Kodagu]] and [[Mananthavady]] in [[Wayanad]] are 82&nbsp;km away from the town. Regular buses to [[Bengaluru]], which is at a distance of 310&nbsp;km from Thalassery, operate on a daily basis.

The Thalassery-Mahe bypass, a six-lane highway inaugurated by Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] in March 2024, significantly enhances connectivity between [[Muzhappilangad|Muzhapilangad]] in [[Kannur]] district and Azhiyoor in [[Kozhikode]] district.<ref>{{cite news |title=Prime Minister inaugurates Thalassery-Mahe bypass, political showdown between LDF and BJP follows |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/prime-minister-inaugurates-thalassery-mahe-bypass-political-showdown-between-ldf-and-bjp-follows/article67939555.ece |access-date=21 August 2024 |work=The Hindu |date=11 March 2024}}</ref>

==Tourism==
{{Main|Tourist attractions in Thalassery}}
[[File:NTTF TLY.jpg|thumb|right|Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF), established by the Christian missionaries of Switzerland]]

The Thalassery carnival, the beach fest in Muzhappilangad beach and Dharmadam beach are notable attractions.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/muzhappilangad-beach-fest-from-april-12/article4605005.ece |title=Muzhappilangad beach fest from April 12 - KERALA |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=2013-04-11 |access-date=2016-08-07}}</ref> The area's four rivers (Anjarakkandi, Dharmadam, Koduvally and Mahe) around Thalassery town and other beaches in the area also attract visitors.

Muzhappilangad beach is a 5.5&nbsp;km long beach where it is possible to drive vehicles. This beach was listed as one of the top 10 drive-in beaches in the world by a BBC survey.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20160617-the-worlds-best-beaches-for-driving | title=The best beaches for driving | last1=Gibson | first1=David K. }}</ref>

It is an important center of Kalari Payattu and health tourism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustankalari.com/kalarippayattu3.htm |title=Welcome to Hindustan Kalari Sangam :: Kalarippayattu :: |publisher=Hindustankalari.com |access-date=2014-07-22}}</ref> Other visitors come to experience Theyyam and explore the area's history, such as [[Tellicherry Fort]].

[[Thalassery Pier]] (''Kadalpaalam''), [[Overbury's Folly]], [[Pazhassi Dam]] and Reservoir garden<ref>{{cite web|url=http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title%3DPazhassi_Irrigation_Project_JI02676 |title=Pazhassi Irrigation Project JI02676 - |access-date=2012-12-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928024323/http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Pazhassi_Irrigation_Project_JI02676 |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref> and Malayala Kala Gramam, New Mahe,(7&nbsp;km from Thalassery)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.keralatourism.org/destination/destination.php?id=199 |title=Malayala Kalagramam – renowned centre form arts & Culture at New Mahe, Kannur |publisher=Kerala Tourism |access-date=2016-08-07 |archive-date=23 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023035011/http://www.keralatourism.org/destination/destination.php?id=199 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kannurtourism.com/malayala_kala_gramam.html |title=Places – Malayala Kala Gramam |publisher=Kannur Tourism |date=2010-09-09 |access-date=2016-08-07}}</ref> are other attractions. A shipwreck is visible near the Thalassery shore.<ref name="Kurup1985">{{cite book|first=K. K. N. |last=Kurup|title=History of the Tellicherry Factory, 1683-1794|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=tQ8oAAAAMAAJ}}|year=1985|publisher=Sandhya Publications}}</ref>

==Political violence==
The area is an epicenter of political violence between the RSS and Communists. [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] (CPI(M)) and the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS) have been fighting in this area for supremacy for the last 50 years.  Clashes in 2008 left seven people dead, and many have been injured. The [[High Court of Kerala]] called this manslaughter a "compelling sport" and suggested permanent deployment of [[Central Armed Police Force|Central forces]] in the affected areas.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/12/stories/2008031250410100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315053323/http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/12/stories/2008031250410100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 March 2008 |title=Only Centre can end Kannur violence: High Court | location=Chennai, India |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=12 March 2008}}</ref>

==Notable residents==
{{Main|List of people from Thalassery}}
*[[Pazhassi Raja|Veera Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja]]
*[[Hermann Gundert]]
*[[William Logan (Malabar Manual)|William Logan]]
*[[Janaki Ammal]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/science/features/dr-e-k-janaki-ammal-botanist-1.8016858 | title=ഡോ. ഇ.കെ. ജാനകി അമ്മാൾ; മലയാളികൾ ഇനിയും അറിയാത്ത ശാസ്ത്രപ്രതിഭ | date=4 November 2022 }}</ref>
*[[Vainu Bappu]]
*[[Ayyathan Gopalan]]
*[[Ayyathan Janaki Ammal]] 
*[[Sanjayan|Sanjayan (Prof. Mannikoth Ramunni Nair)]]
*[[Oyyarathu Chandu Menon]]
*[[M. N. Vijayan]]
*[[Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar]]
*[[Moorkoth Ramunni]]
*[[Moorkoth Kumaran]]
*[[Vagbhatananda]]
*[[Keeleri Kunhikannan]]
*[[:ml:ആനന്ദതീർത്ഥൻ|Anadhatheerthan]]
*[[K. Raghavan]]
*[[Pinarayi Vijayan]]
*[[V. Muraleedharan]]
*[[Kodiyeri Balakrishnan]]
*[[N. Prabhakaran]]
*[[V. P. Sathyan]]
*[[C. K. Vineeth]]
*[[Sreenivasan]]
*[[Eranjoli Moosa|Eranholi Moosa]]
*[[Shaan Rahman]]
*[[Deepak Dev]]
*[[Vineeth Sreenivasan]]
*[[Dhyan Sreenivasan]]
*[[Sushin Shyam]]
*[[Chundangapoyil Rizwan]]
*[[Kakuzhi Kunjibappu Gurukkal]]
*[[Salman Nizar]]

==Climate==
Thalassery experiences a [[tropical monsoon climate]] under the [[Köppen climate classification]]. The [[wet season]] starts in June as the southwest monsoon first hits the coastal Kerala and continues until the end of September. A brief pre-monsoon [[mango showers]] interval occurs sometime during April. Precipitation from the northeast monsoon sets in during the second half of October through November.

{{Weather box
| location = Thalassery
| metric first = Y
| single line = yes
| year record high F = 110
| Jan high C = 32.2
| Feb high C = 32.6
| Mar high C = 33.3
| Apr high C = 33.5
| May high C = 32.8
| Jun high C = 30.1
| Jul high C = 29
| Aug high C = 29.2
| Sep high C = 30.2
| Oct high C = 31
| Nov high C = 31.9
| Dec high C = 32.1
| Jan low C = 22.9
| Feb low C = 23.8
| Mar low C = 25.5
| Apr low C = 26.3
| May low C = 26
| Jun low C = 24.4
| Jul low C = 23.7
| Aug low C = 23.9
| Sep low C = 24.2
| Oct low C = 24.2
| Nov low C = 24.1
| Dec low C = 22.8
| Jan rain mm = 3
| Feb rain mm = 3
| Mar rain mm = 11
| Apr rain mm = 70
| May rain mm = 285
| Jun rain mm = 900
| Jul rain mm = 1078
| Aug rain mm = 544
| Sep rain mm = 267
| Oct rain mm = 227
| Nov rain mm = 103
| Dec rain mm = 21
| rain colour = green
| source 1 = WWO<ref name= WMO >{{cite web
| url = http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Thalassery-weather-averages/Kerala/IN.aspx | title = Thalassery | access-date =2 August 2012
| publisher = World Weather Online}}</ref>
| date=August 2012
|source 2 = Climate-Data.org<ref name= Climate-Data.org>{{cite web
| url = http://en.climate-data.org/location/30569/
| title = Climate: thalassery
| website= En.climate-data.org
| access-date = 18 February 2016}}</ref>
}}

==See also==
<!-- Please do not add locations based on personal interest. This section is for people who are interested to know more about the location-->
{{Portal|India|History}}
* [[Culture of Thalassery]]
* [[Jagannath Temple, Thalassery]]
* [[Koorara]]
* [[Thiruvangad Sree Ramaswami Temple]]
* [[Kannur district]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|first=A Sreedhara |last=Menon|title=A Survey of Kerala History|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=FVsw35oEBv4C|p=246}}|date=1 January 2007|publisher=DC Books|isbn=978-81-264-1578-6 }}
* {{Cite book|editor=Renjith, Moorkoth|title=Thalassery Millennium Manual|year=2000}}
* {{Cite book|editor=Skaria Zacharia|title=Thalassery Rekhakal|location=Kottaym|publisher=DC Books}}
* ''Thalassery Arivukal'' K. M. Govi. Thalassery: Sanjayan Samskarika Vedi, 2011

==External links==
* [https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Thalassery&params=11_44_56.8_N_75_29_20.4_E_type:city_region:IN-KL GeoHack - Thalassery]

{{Wikivoyage|Thalassery}}
{{Commons category|Thalassery}}

* Thalassery – Land of 3Cs Town: [http://www.thalassery.info Thalassery]
* The Map of Thalassery Town: [https://www.google.co.in/maps?ll=11.762167,75.483971&spn=0.084869,0.1478&gl=in&t=m&z=13 Google Maps]
{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Thalassery
|North     = [[Taliparamba]], [[Kannur district]]
|Northeast = [[Iritty]], [[Virajpet]]
|East      = [[Kodagu district|Kodagu (Coorg) district]] ([[Karnataka]])
|Southeast = [[Wayanad]]
|South     = [[Mahe, India|Mahe]], [[Kozhikode]]
|Southwest = [[Laccadive Sea]], [[Arabian Sea]]
|West      = [[Arabian Sea]]
|Northwest = [[Kannur]] (Town)
}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=Kottayam Province of [[Chirakkal Raja|Chirakkal Kingdom]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Tellicherry, Madras Presidency, British India|years=1 November 1866 according to the Madras Act 10 of 1865<br />(Amendment of the Improvements in Towns act 1850)}}
{{s-aft|after=Thalassery taluk, [[Kerala]] state, India<br />([[States Reorganisation Act, 1956]])}}
{{s-end}}

{{Kerala}}
{{Municipalities of Kerala}}
{{North Malabar}}
{{Malabar}}
{{Kannur district}}
{{Palakkad Railway Division}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Thalassery| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Kannur district]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in India]]