the linguistic landscape is possible

1. MAPPING A CULTURAL LANDSCAPE: CASE: - PALAKKAD GAP, KERALA
INTRODUCTION
The abundance of natural resources had remained the thriving force for human settlements
to origin and the very lay of land and dependency to nature the fundamental basis for
evolution of civilizations in explicit manner. The study of a cultural landscape starts with
understanding the basis behind the establishment of any human settlement from archaic era
till present. This will help outline the potential of natural resources and determine the extent
and nature of change which the landscape has undergone both natural and man –modified.
The traditional human communities who have evolved through time follow the natural pattern
of social organization and complex survival strategies depending on the natural systems and
natural processes. Just as natural systems evolve and flourish adapting to geological,
climatic or ecological changes and become stable and capable of supporting more and more
evolution of life forms, human communities also grow complex social organizations and very
specific niches that result in the evolution of knowledge systems, skills and livelihood means.
These inter‐dependent systems give humans creativity, autonomy, social status, identity and
meaning in life.
The preliminary study about cultural landscape of a region hence started with understanding
the natural premise and its potential to support cultural systems. The region studied here is
located to the southern peninsula of Indian sub- continent and comes under the political state
of Kerala. This region is endowed with tropical monsoon climate and unique topography that
has moulded its diverse and rich ecosystems. These unique natural systems are the basis of
the decentralized and self‐reliant life strategies of a robust society. As the natural systems
were diverse the survival and evolution of human communities were more sustainable and
viable. Their life was austere but luxuriant and the life vision was based on ecological
prudence and reverence to nature. People with complex knowledge systems and livelihoods
survived on the interdependence and co‐operation of several units in the society and
ecosystems. The harmony that existed between nature and time‐tested traditions gave each
individual the opportunity to be part of some livelihood means. This must be the basis of the
depth and vastness of the survival wisdom and lifestyle of its people. The stability and
sustainability of the society were thus closely linked with the stability and viability of its
natural systems. Limited needs and culturally regulated aspirations and customary laws
checked over‐exploitation of natural resources and human beings alike to a great extent.
The destruction of the ecological foundations of this region, which had thrived on the living
Web of inter‐dependent and diverse relationships of life forms and natural communities, is
one of the biggest crises it is facing today. Along with this crisis comes the destabilization of
the diverse life strategies and livelihood. Taking this basic premise into consideration, the
study further extended in search of specific cultural units within this broader context so as to
develop mapping techniques distinctively suited to understanding of specific cultural
landscapes. The area studied here is located in Palakkad, one of the fourteen revenue
districts of Kerala a beautiful settlement in the foothills of western ghats and is known as the
land of palmyrahs (borasus flabelifer) and Paddy fields. It is often called as the "gateway of
Kerala” as the district opens the State to the rest of the country through the Palakkad gap.
Palakkad derived its name from the words: Pala (Alstonia Scholaris) and kadu (forest),
indicating that this place was once a thick forest covered with the Alstonia trees and now the
rice bowl of the state.
METHODOLOGY
The natural resource of any region which includes climate, geology, hydrology, soils and
vegetation creates the setting for any human civilization to sprout and spread. All human
actions there on induce changes in the landscape and the visible imprint of human
intervention is represented by cultural landscape. To understand the physical and cultural

2. interactions and in general to understand the intricacies of cultural landscapes, their
characteristics must be seen as the result of the constant natural and anthropogenic changes
of the past through present.
The mapping of cultural landscapes such as the one discussed here which is gamut of rural
and urban fabrics with its roots in elementary ways of living and a half-minded shift towards
recent urban trends hence becomes a challenging concern. The study is basically
approached in three parts. The first being the analysis of natural layers, second the cultural
frame and last the socio- economy and settlement pattern. All these aspects when read
together will lead to conclusions regarding landscapes how and why cultural landscapes get
moulded and developed in particular manner. Hence any suggestion for upgrading the
quality of environment and living of people will be a resultant of synthesizing data directly
from the inferences drawn making it very specific to the context.
The first part of the study tries to understand the physical constituents of the region in terms
of natural resources and the present day land use patterns. Here on a particular settlement
grain with respect to distribution of these natural layers is identified. This sub- region selected
is further studied in detailed with respect to anthropogenic aspects such as land use, infra
structure, occupational patterns and settlement grains. Further the study moves into
understanding the continuing landscape closely associated with the traditional way of life,
and in which the evolutionary process is still in progress. It examines the ways of living
adapted by various local communities within these cultural units and its shift from past to
present in terms of economic parameters, occupational tendencies and dependency to
natural resources to derive clues towards the reasons behind the decline of socio-cultural
values leading to abandonment of such rich cultural landscapes.
The concluding part includes inferences acknowledging both tangible and intangible values
of its cultural landscapes which are closely associated to the present day society which will
help derive development strategies for socio- economic and environmental progress in a
sustainable manner which will help conserve and protect such indigenous landscapes from
getting modified in a reckless manner.
A GLANCE INTO THE STUDY AREA
The story here begins with a Gap in the otherwise long and continuous stretch of Western
Ghats. There are several hypothesis evolved behind the geological formation of the Gap.
1. Tectonic origin
2. Block faulting
3. Erosion consequent to crustal wrap
4. Collusion thickening followed by erosion processes
Whatever be the reason this major breach opened a connection of west coast with rest of
peninsula, resulting in amalgamation of various rich cultures to form one complex cultural
fabric to the natural landscape.
Steeped in history, Palakkad has had settlements from the Paleolithic age; a fact
substantiated by the discovery of megalithic relics and urn and stone burials from this region.
The burial practice is believed to be of native tribes namely Cholanaickes and Kattunaickes.
The natural landscape is believed to be comprised of impenetrable rain forests. These tribes
used to wander around the forest and live in deep rock shelters to protect themselves from
heavy rainfall. Rock shelters with narrow opening were usually selected and the entrance
was closed with tree trunks to protect themselves from elephants and other wild animals. No
stone tools other than river worn pebbles for breaking nuts were used. Slowly they started
making huts of bamboo along river beds as seasonal shelters, make tools for hunting,
cooking fire, and many more signs of a civilization thus emerged very slowly.

3. The political history of the Gap started with the invasion of the princely state kings and
establishment of kingdoms in the hither to aboriginal territories later strengthened into
smaller provinces by many inter family nuptials between royal descendants from south of the
region between tribes. (ref Appendix 1)
Over centuries the Gap being major breach in Western Ghats evolved into one of the most
prominent migratory routes for the later day political and trade associations the region had
and also became home to many wandering populations of diverse cultures who settled down
and merged their way of living with the aboriginals to form a unique cultural fabric.
Fig -#, Survival dependency glorified by ritualistic offering to nature – 250 AD to 600 AD
Conclusion from the preliminary studies of history and evolution of gap suggested the
following.
The unusual geological condition of the breach leading to a varied climatic zone determined
the evolution of a particular way of living and society. Due to heavy rainfall and impenetrable
rainforest the settlement pattern emerged did not follow any definite standard as it was easy
to survive as a nomad than building a township. The tribal who were the original occupants of
the region faced major cultural conflict between Konkan coast and western trades and
eastern side due to the many migrations, political invasions and reforms that happened
through gap. Natural ecological condition with cultural advantage developed a pattern of
dealing with agriculture which became the primary basis for organization of societies and
cultural values. Changes in socio‐political system affected agriculture and skills and man
‐power for the type of land which was difficult to manage. History tells us that Tamil
Brahmins who came from the east side of the breach not only built temples but cleared
lands, made irrigation canal and with high local labour input practiced agriculture The
socio‐political conditions, bifurcation of land between various political provinces and the
political reforms changing ownership pattern of land together with better economic
opportunities due to new developments in east and west coast of Indian Peninsula and
decreasing economic values of agriculture products made agriculture as a livelihood to not a
very attractive preposition. This changed the entire agriculture pattern. The exploitation of
natural resources at an alarming rate due to population increase lead to depletion in quality
of environment and availability of water and land resources. Lack of market opportunities and
the backwardness of society in using innovative and modern agriculture practices gave way
to economic decline of the region.

4. 1. CULTURAL AND TRADITIONAL PRACTICES AND ITS ASSOCIATION TO NATURE
The study tries to find linkages between the way of life of people and associations they had
to nature. The study revealed that most of the rituals have been originated from an ancient
agrarian society which had a deep-rooted stand in farming culture. It was also seen that
these rituals, through myths and beliefs prompted the community to conserve the ecosystem.
Celebration of five elements of Nature
Every matter is constituted of five elements of nature also known as Panchmahaboota as
described in ancient Indian philosophy. Ancient traditions and rituals are always framed to
worship these elements which are the base for natural resources and hence the very survival
of life on the planet.
For instance, consider the case of Haven kund, the most common celebration of symbolic
intend of ‘panchamahabootas’ in Indian tradition. Fire is the representation of the Ultimate
source of energy source – The Sun, hence is represented in physical and spiritual realm
together. A very similar instance can be seen in the daily life, the process of cooking in an
earthen pot on a stone hearth with water as medium for cooking and fire and wind as source
of energy. Association of Ether or space can be considered as the event itself and material
that is cooked. The form and material with its symbolic intend and purpose together with
context remained frozen in time as far as haven kund is concerned, as compared to the
scientific evolution hearth has undergone in modern times.
A similar adaption is seen in the religious rituals of the study region – the festival is called
‘Pongal’ or ‘Pongala’ and is considered to be an auspicious ritual to follow on a new year day
or as a reverence to the Hindu Goddess Shakti (source of Power) .
The sacred groves and guardian
gods
There also existed the concept of guardian gods in many communities. These gods were
symbolized by primary elements of nature such as rocks, big trees, and certain keystone
species in ecosystems that prevailed such as snakes, kite etc. Every community had their
guardian’s shrine usually a very small idol clad in saffron cloth was placed and worshipped.
These shrines also were markers of territories with these ethnic groups and are often placed
near sacred groves, ghats of river, or natural water bodies like lakes or pond. Even in today’s
context people are seen to worship these markers and since ancient times there are
hundreds of myths and beliefs about these and with time had become the shield and key
factor responsible for the protection and conservation of many rich and fragile eco-systems
that prevail in the study region.

5. Fig #, Thara , Stone – static force symbolizing immortal soul and saffron cloth the ceremonial expression to Godly
Power among the cultural groups
Banana ‐ called as Vaazha in the local language and fruit is called pazham or palom,
common plant seen throughout Kerala, fruit is a part of staple diet. The description of this
plant can be seen in many ancient scripts and later stage literature and travelogues of many
a scholars who had visited this region

6. Due to shear form and size of leaf it has got manifold uses in daily life and the resultant links
with culture. Traditional feast is served on one forth portion of banana leaf from tip called as
Thump ila forbidding the people from cutting the entire leaf from the plant. On the other hand
the entire leaf is only removed when it is used for the purpose as base of laying dead body
for offering the last rituals. Hence removal of entire leaves is considered to be a bad omen
due to its association with death.
Similarly Snake represents immortality; the changing skin and clouding of eyes by snakes
are believed to be a transition between life to death and back to life in many cultures. Snake
being the keystone species associated with sacred groves many myths and ritualistic values
are associated to snake. SARPA THARA ‐ Usually placement of serpent gods are seen
between buttress roots of old trees most often Banyans or Peepal, which in turn is a home
for many key stone species. Even today, ‘Chirag’ a small lamp is lit by the virgin girls
(considered to be bearers of the culture) of families at twilight, the girl will be chanting
‘deepam ’ (means the sacred light) loud to avoid stumble upon the snakes and to let family
members know that she is going to the groves signifying that every ritual followed had a
deeper purpose to serve. Such idols are observed in many parts of Palakkad gap acts as
important elements of cultural identity throughout the Gap.
THE NATURAL LAYERS OF THE STUDY REGION
Physiography of the Region
Physiographically, the Palakkad Gap can be divided into two units. Viz. the high land and the
mid land. The high land region is distinguished by high mountain peaks, rivers, valleys,
ridges and dense forest, while the plains and valleys form the mid land. The most important
physiographic feature is the Palakkad gap, which is 30‐40 km in width in an otherwise
continuous mountain chain of 960 km long Western Ghats, with an average elevation of
above 600 m. above msl. The train and road link between Kerala and the rest of the country
passes through this gap. Chittur situated almost in the central part of the Palakkad gap, is
one of the few talukas in the state without coastline. This area is characterized by gently
rolling plains, valleys and isolated low
hills.
Fig-#, Palakkad Gap , Fig-#, Southern tip of
Palakkad Gap , Fig-#, Nilgiris on north of Gap
Relief
The study area may be divided into three
natural divisions viz. The

7. valleys, plains and undulating midlands. Isolated hillocks of medium elevation are located in
few places. Extensive valleys are found to be formed on both sides of the major rivers and
other rivers draining this area. Plains are found in the western margin of the study area
(middle of the proper gap region). The east and north eastern portion come under the
midland division. Apart from the hillocks, a large number of sheet rocks and stony wastes
were found in the north eastern portion of the study area.
Fig-#, Schematic section through gap region
Climate and Rainfall
Palakkad gap is the largest convergence zone in the Western Ghats, it influences the
orographic input on wind direction. This major break in the Western Ghats, influences the
rainfall, temperature distribution and wind pattern. Owing to this geographical location the
entire Palakkad gap has been identified as a separate agro‐climatic zone (Government of
Kerala 1979). The study area has a tropical climate with an oppressive hot season and
plentiful and fairly assured seasonal rainfall. Summer starts from February onwards and
temperature rises steadily till the end of May. It is followed by the southwest monsoon which
lasts till September. There is abundant rainfall during the season. The northeast or retreating
monsoon winds blow in October and November months. Due to the orographic influence, the
region experiences heavy rainfall and winds in the northeast monsoon season. The period
from December to February is generally dry. The study area receives on an average 1190
mm of rainfall annually, while it is 2398 mm for the district and 3000 mm for the state. The
normal rainfall is lowest in the geographic centre of the Gap with 93 days. The spatial
distribution of rainfall indicates that the southern and south western parts being adjacent to
the Nelliampathy plateau in Western Ghats will receive higher amount of rainfall as
compared to the other parts of the area.
Geology ,Geomorphology and soils
The gap area is covered mainly by Hornblende biotite gneiss. Pegmatite and quartz are
predominant in the east and north eastern parts. Notable occurrence of crystalline lime stone
is seen. The geological formations of the study area may be classified into two. (1) a narrow
belt of the warkalli beds of Archan group and (2) a broad belt of residual laterite (Source
GSI). The Palakkad gap is a prominent geomorphic feature in the southern part of the
peninsula covered by the Coimbatore ranges of the Nilgiri plateau on the north and the
Anamalai ranges of the south. The elevation of Gap is between 60 to 380 m from west to

8. east sloping westward. The elevation differences of the Gap proper and the Northern side is
1980m and in southern side is 1520 m. Three physiographic units – valleys, plains,
undulating midlands comprise the gap. Gap area is an westward sloping old peneplain.
Erosional remnants, inselbergs are found between 152m and 381m level. Around 50% of
Gap area is covered by flood plain, followed by pediments. The soil types are Alluvial, Black
Cotton, Laterite and Forest Loam. The soils are dark in colour, low in organic matter and
alkaline in reaction. They exhibit mud cracks and have high water retaining capacity due to
higher proportion of clay particles. Lateritic soils are predominant soil type of the area
occupying the mid land and gap area.
Hydrology of the Gap
The gap proper is drained by consequent, broad dendritic higher order rivers namely
Kalpathi, Amaravathi (Chittur river), Kannadiar, and Gayathripuzha in east west direction,
while margins are drained by closely spaced lower order streams. The major river courses
are principally controlled by the shear fractures. All drainage systems are part of the
Bharathapuzha basin, larger drainage system in Kerala. The entire Palakkad Gap region
comes under the Bharathapuzha drainage basin drained by a number of tributaries. The
Chittur puzha, Gayathri puzha and Kalppathi puzha are the three important tributaries in this
region. The Chittur puzha, the main tributary of the Bharatha puzha, takes its origin from
Annamalai hills. It is formed by the confluence of three streams locally named as Palayar,
Aliyar and Uppar.
Fluvial sediment: These are confined to the flood plains of the rivers and tributaries in the
gap. The deposits may be differentiated into (i) Valley fill (ii) Levee (iii) Point bar and (iv)
Swampy deposits.
Land use
Six broad land use classes are observed in the gap proper. The net sown area covers nearly
39% of total area, in which cultivated crops consist of 90%. Area under forest category cover
32% of geographical area, found mostly on side slopes of nilgiri and anamalai ranges on
north and south. Plantations of coffee, tea, cardamon, orange etc. cover 14%, water bodies
including dams, reservoirs, rivers, ponds account for 4% and wastelands and rock outcrop
share 11% of total area.

9. SELECTING A STUDY AREA FOR DETAILED ASSESSMENT OF HUMAN
SETTLEMENTS AND ITS IMPACT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.
The selection has been preliminarily done from the analysis of above mentioned natural
layers. The geology and soils of the region show uniformity in distribution other than a few
minor variations depending on the reliefs and hydrology. The geomorphology of the region
displays a diverse range of features such as denudation hills, pediments, fertile valley floors
and presence of inselbergs. The land use pattern studied replicates the distribution of these
geomorphologic features with agriculture lands spread across the valley floors, forest areas
in steep slopes and foothills and settlements spread along pediments and ridges. As
abundance of the resources has always been the root cause for human settlements to
establish with river banks as nuclei of development the major river and its watershed which
occupies the geographic centre of the Palakkad gap has been considered as the sub- region
for further assessment of settlement patterns and socio economic aspects of study area.

10. The physical and geographical conditions of the region vary from one end to another end.
Due to unequal distribution of rainfall as a resultant of peculiar oro-graphic forces acting upon
the gap some areas are affected by drought conditions. In the gap region the primary
occupation is agriculture with paddy, millets, pulses, groundnut, coconut, plantain, tapioca,
sugarcane, cotton, soybeans and other oilseeds as major crops the distribution of which is
highly based on two major parameters – type of soil and the rainfall pattern. Hence apart
from the preliminary analysis of natural factors a detailed study of the soil distribution, rainfall
and irrigation pattern and cropping pattern and cycle has been considered to understand the
dependency of the community with their primary occupation that is agriculture. Further the
study moved into mapping of mapping of socio- economic aspects such as distribution of
infrastructure facilities, markets, public spaces, economic distribution, occupational statistics
etc to attain a primary understanding on the living standards of the present and also to look
into reasons for various collective issues such as unemployment, migration of young people
from the region to nearby urban hubs.
( Add maps of sub- region)
A BROAD OVERVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTAL PATTERN OF SETTLEMENTS IN THE
STUDY REGION
The next set of the mapping was conducted to understand the overall settlement pattern,
their origins and nature of distribution. The preliminary data for this has been collected from
Ariel maps and on site observations.
From the analysis of distribution of settlements certain typologies of settlements were
identified on the basis of natural conditions where the settlements started sprouting up and
their growth pattern.
Nucleiatic development
The ridges or elevated plateaus nearer to a river or lake or any natural source of water is
chosen for settlements to establish. The key factors for this selection are availability of
resources and safety from floods. The introvert settlements oriented towards a Temple as
core had high sense of territory. The livelihood practices of the aboriginals changed and
became associated to agriculture where they were not the primary beneficiaries and were
used only as labourers. Temples were usually placed near rich ecological centres such as
groves and riparian corridors as acted as protectors of the same. Later the settlement pattern
deviated from being nucleitic and become linear and started spreading along various infra
structure facilities such as canals and road networks.

11. Linear developments
These settlements developed along the ridgelines and converged around areas of natural
abundance. Initially the preferences for such settlements where determined by the class and
caste hierarchy existed in the society and later these started to spread and trail along the

12. infrastructure facilities that developed
.
Clustered Development
Basically such patterns where of the agrarian communities with strong marks of territories as
natural water bodies and guardian gods. They started spreading across the landscape with
little reference to the existing topography and started extending later to the densely
vegetated valley floors. The fertile soil prompted them into cultivating a lot of household
varies and started determining the staple food of the society as a whole. The transport
corridors were sometimes canals and sometimes dusty trails and clearings in forest.
SETTLEMENT STUDY BASED ON THE SOCIETAL TRANSFORMATIONS
The mapping of societal transformations are done based on site observations and statistical
information attained from secondary sources. Also an attempt was made to evaluate the
dependency and interaction of these communities with the natural resources so as to
estimate the nature of change these cultural landscapes are undergoing.
TAMIL BRAHMIN SETTLEMENT – Nuclei of cultural development (Economic conditions –
wealth and wisdom)
“The agraharams of Thekkethara” (Vedic study centre to derelict edifices)
The mass migration of “Tamil Brahmins” a class of nobles and priests from the South -
Eastern coast of India to the region about 600 years ago was prompted by Muslim invasion,
restructuring of the territorial limits and the continuous drought over many years in the Kaveri
Delta. The relentless hostility between the thus far Priest and Noble class and the rulers
relating to a royal marriage feud with the tribal community led to easy acceptance of these
migrants into the societal structure of then. They established a number of Agraharams –
traditional homesteads with a temple as the focal element. They integrated and adapted
themselves to their newfound territory and consciously created an identity of their own –
popularly categorized as Palakkad Brahmins, Palakkad Iyers or Pattars.

13. Plan of a typical Tamil Brahmin settlement – Thekkegramam, Chittur
A garland of houses was the simplest synonym to an ‘Agraharam is a derivative of grid
pattern settlement’. The word could also be interpreted as a grant of land given by the kings
for sustenance. These pieces of land were granted generally on the banks of rivers where
the Brahmins built row houses (two rows facing each other) with the upper end culminating in
a temple with a flag post – ‘Dwaja sthampa’ , being the tallest element ,whose visibility
marked the extend of territory. The priests were Vedic scholars who attached themselves to
the religious activities. The temple tank formed an interactive community space with the
Peepal tree (ficus religiosa) known as ‘Sthala Vriksha’ as a identifying feature of these village

14. commons. Farming on the lands given by the royal family was the tradition that was followed
in the past, later the lands were leased out (kanam – a lease of 12 years) to the labour class
on the basis of “Paattam” (an age old leasing method that existed in these parts of the
Country). Such scholastic and prominent footholds gradually vanquished, enumerated by a
lot of changes pertaining to nature, technology and socio- economy. This strong foothold in
history is slowly being vanquished by the ravages of modern times. Though the agraharams
retain much of their original character, the spatial organization of the newly grown offshoots,
outgrowths, facades and interior spaces have changed with time. Adaptive manifestations
are the new, transformed face of these settlements. With technological interventions and
urbanisation spreading its tentacles, rows of apartments, modern houses and additional
storeys with no reference to the traditional architecture echo the constant change. Elements
and spaces that rendered imageability, character and style to these Agraharams are no
longer evident. The sthalavriksham (sacred tree) and the Kaavus (habitat of the serpent
gods) have rapidly declined in terms of the territoriality. The public wells – a key community
element in these village commons has lost its purpose. Somehow as an untold reverence to
the Gods, the flag post - ‘dwajasthamba’ of the temple stills holds reign to the settlement
with the heights of the houses rising only up to the line of control specified by this vertical
element. The Vedic schools ‘Veda paatashala’ have lost its ethnic charm and the settlements
are caught in the quagmire of Change.
Typical plan of a House hold
The onnamkettu is the smallest housing unit. It comprises of a semi open verandhah
(Thinnai) opening on to the street. From there onwards there is a linear organisation of utility
rooms one after another. Immediately after the entrance is the granary to store harvested
paddy. Following that is Nilavara (sump for storage of goods to use at the time of famine and
also to store excess produce from farm, seeds etc) this is also the pooja room. The narrow
corridor connects different spaces. Kitchen opens into the backyard consisting of well and a
bath. The rear end of kitchen yard is cattle shed with a Tulsi planter.
Sthala vriksham, the sacred tree is usually a element of identity which is repeated throughout
the cultural landscapes of Kerala. This is a place of public and cultural interaction. Vedic
schools of ancient times would have been conducted under such tree, with time the purpose
and values associated with such elements changed and evolved.

15. Peepal tree adjoining temple
AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY - Change in life style due to social and political reforms
“Aryanpallom” Agriculture village (Sustainable communities to fragmented population)
Usually the settlement shows a very
scattered typology, Developed along
foot of ridges along valleys due to
availability of water and wetlands for
farming. Due to unawareness about
scientific agriculture practices and
large scale migration of population to
other jobs of daily wages and has
resulted in the decline of economic
status of these communities.
Due to unequal and very small
landholdings as a result of various
land reform acts, many agriculture
lands have turned into wastelands.

16. A very temporary built form with walls and roof made of cadjan (matted coconut leaves), floor
is just a mud base finished with cow dung. At the entry the roof is extended to cover the goat
shed. The goat shed consist of a raised platform over stones by wooden planks and bamboo
support. Small wooden support to hang fodder and tie goats. The kitchen is extended to rear
yard, utensils mostly of terracotta and some of stone. Together with agriculture many other
traditional vocational skills like reed mats, handicrafts out of coconut husk, coir products,
pottery etc, are also dying out due to non availability of market base.

17. WEAVERS COMMUNITY – Transformations due to Technical invasion and trade revival
“Devangapuram” (Migrated communities to lost traditions)
The weaver community consist of people migrated from the east of the gap, a few hundred
years back. Their living style has modified to meet the existing living conditions in Kerala
even though rituals and customs have remained true to their origins. The religion followed
being Hindu, their temple architecture is unique and very different from the rest of the state.
The invading of power looms has affected the economy of this community greatly. Even
though the social interaction is very high in this community, unity in the process involved in
weaving at a community level is very low as this works as small scale units within individual
families.
Typical settlements are organized in a linear manner. The verandah in front of the every
house has got a place for the spinning wheel, an extended work space promoting interaction
among community. Most of the houses have a small garden consisting of one or two fruit
trees and small flooring shrubs, with creepers over bamboo fence. Even thought the
settlement along street is a linear within the plan grain there are a lot of built in niches which
in turn is has turned into small front yard gardens or some time public hand pump (water
facility) or a small tea stall (chayakada) typical Kerala style, which will also be a point of
public interaction.

18. 4. SCHEDULE TRIBE SETTLEMENT – Primary users of Nature (Change in relationship with
nature)
The “Nayadi” tribe (primitive hunters and holders of the land to meagre wayfarers)
The name of this people group comes from the word nayattu, meaning "hunting." Once
skilled hunters and trappers, modern Nayadis are known as scavengers and beggars. The
Nayadis a worship "regional deities" such as Mallan, Malavarhy and Parakutty
A Thatched shed, with palm leaf walls, a few earthen pots, and a chopper, constitute the
Nayadi’s property. They occasionally collect honey, bee wax and gum matti pasai (from
ailanthus malabarica) in exchange they get toddy or money to purchase salt, chillies, tobacco
and liquor.

19. Inferences
Natural resources
a. Geology: Deccan trap, Rock types gneisses, mica and residual laterite
b. Elevation: Between 75m to 225 m from west to east, sloping westward
c. Geomorphic unit: Mainly consist of valley floor and the piedmont plain
d. Climate: Totally varied from the rest of the state, as the gap influences the orographic
input, wind direction and temperature
e. Water resources: The midland area is rich in surface water resources comprising of major
rivers which are tributaries of Nila, the larger drainage system of Kerala, a lot many streams
and numerous ponds are present in study region.
f. Rainfall: The rainfall is highly seasonal. The dependability of region on rainfall is fairly high
Soil: Soil differs greatly in their morphological property and the intensive agricultural practices
had affected the fertility of soil to a great extend
g. Land use: The once thick tropical forests of region are completely converted to agriculture
lands now
Conclusion
The natural resource of the Major water shed region of Chittur river (Sokanashini) reveals
that there is a very rich and uniform distribution of resources other than a very small pocket
on south east with low water table, but this area as intensely irrigated solves the issue of
productivity of crops. Unscientific use of resources and unavailability of labour to do the
tedious rice cultivation in deep clay fields had lead to environmental degradation as well as
economic declination in the region.
Social factors
Settlement hierarchy: The region studied comes in first grade as far as human resource is
concerned and hence the rejuvenation of this area to a sustained nucleus will prove
beneficial to the development of the Gap region to certain extent
Population density: Population density distribution shows a direct relation to availability of
infrastructure facilities mainly irrigational facilities for agriculture lands proving the high
dependency of community to Agriculture as their primary occupation even in today’s context.
Economic structures: Presence of major urban nodes ‐Palakkad, Coimbatore and the
markets of Pollachi and the present status of poor economic growth and infrastructure
availability together with unemployment and lack of good educational facilities had lead to
large scale migration of people from the region.
Agriculture: The area has a varied cropping pattern. At present among the various crops
widely cultivated tapioca, sugarcane, coconut and vegetables show positive trend in their
growth and rice and cotton which are the traditional crops are getting rapidly replaced by
other quick benefiting cash crops which requires less skilled labour and investments. But this
is leading to rapid decline of natural conditions like soil degradation. If cropping pattern is
modified to best suite the conditions together with scientific approaches of farming and
irrigation, the study region has the potential for intense and economic cultivation practice with
less ecologic impact. The western part of study area has soils with high water holding
capacity and the rainfall pattern reveals that this region receives maximum rainfall ‐ 1700 to
1800 mm in comparison to the rest of the region. This region is the most intensely irrigated
as well. Due to the faulty methods of irrigation wild flooding done by most of farmers has
done a significant damage to the wetlands of the region
Conclusion
The level of agricultural development implies maximum utilization of land. Together with
agricultural practices alternate potential of the cultural landscape like tourism hub, research
institutions, satellite development for adjoining urban areas etc has to be incorporated and
properly planned into the present system of living. From the analysis of natural resources
and hierarchy of settlements it is evident that nature and degree of interdependency with

20. community and natural resources is the base for disparity in socio economic status of
communities. Hence specific location of each function has to depend on several factors such
as level of development, demand and supply of various facilities required for each function,
degree of accessibility and culture and traditions associated with the particular communities.
Cultural factors
Palakkad gap: Being the only opening in Western Ghats had led to migration of several
cultures to the proper gap region. Thick forests, terrain, rainfall: Impenetrable forests with
heavy rainfall and water stagnancy due to undulated terrain prevented a large centralized
settlement pattern hence the evolution show scattered settlements, majorly located on ridges
where availability of water in form of river or natural ponds and streams were present.
Rivers, fertile flood plains: The availability of rich natural resources and fertile flood plains
has attracted settlements in the region creating a mosaic of various cultures and associated
livelihood practices and customs. The land forms ‐ridges and valleys, water resources was
the governing factor behind evolution of each cultural pocket with its own customs ,traditions,
settlement pattern
livelihood practices.
Agriculture is the major occupation of most of the communities. The level of interaction with
natural resources show a comparative analysis of dependency of various communities
existing in the study region with natural resources
Ancient wisdom: Ancient wisdom on survival is carried to future generations through myths,
folklores and festivals. The region is presently under great economic stress and low
development issues and hence facing large scale migration of the communities to other
areas and hence the values associated with the cultural landscape is dissolving and
disappearing.
Shifting cultural practices: The community shows a intense and direct interaction and huge
dependency to its natural resources in day to day life whether it being occupation, staple
foods or religion and rituals because of diversity in availability of existing natural resources a
particular cultural pattern was evolved. The changing attitude towards hither to systems of
survival is leading to loss of traditional values attached to nature hence leading to natural
resource depletion
E.g.: Conversion of RICE fields to coconut groves are posing a threat to all the harvest
festivals carried on the vast open cracked mud fields of paddy in summer.
Conclusion
Shifting agricultural practices mainly conversion of rice fields to coconut, mining of top soil
from wetlands by newly sprouting brick industries and pollution are turning rich wetlands and
paddy fields into wastelands and are posing huge threat to the associated festival, customs
and even lifestyle of community. Economic crisis due to failure in agriculture practices is the
resultant of ignorance towards the traditional knowledge and practices of sustainable
livelihood and a revival based on these principles together with scientific management of
resources will prove to be advantageous. Attaching interim values to all underutilized
potentials both natural resources and infrastructure can bring a sudden boost in economic
status of community
Pending – Map of India showing kerala, map of Palakkad showing chittur, Coimbatore,
Palakkad and pollachi
Acknowledgement

21. Bibliography
Published data
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