Muhammed Luqman O P
Journey and Arrival
My journey to Perumathura began with a pre-booked general 2-seater train ticket from Tirur to Thiruvananthapuram on the 5th of December....
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Perumathura Days
A Gram Fellow's Exploration of a
Coastal Village in Kerala
Overview
The last three weeks of 2023 marked a profoundly memorable period in my life, providing a remarkable conclusion to the year. As a Gram Fellow from IIT Gandhinagar, I had the privilege of residing in the enchanting coastal village of Perumathura, nestled in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, located 340 km away from my hometown during the winter break. While initially disheartened about missing out on spending the vacation with my family while my friends did, my time in Perumathura was so fulfilling that it mitigated the longing for my home and village. As an M.A. Society and Culture research student, I am particularly grateful for the invaluable ethnographic experience gained during this stint, made possible through the generosity of the remarkable individuals in this coastal haven. This blog recounts my journey, capturing the essence of my experiences during these weeks in Perumathura.
IITGN Gram Fellowship
Gram Fellowship of IIT Gandhinagar aims to encourage students to immerse themselves in the experience of village life. During the fellowship stay, students are expected to engage with the village community to understand their concerns, welfare, values, and beyond. The students also have the opportunity to comprehend prevailing socio-political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian factors in the community. They are encouraged to earn their livelihood and meet their needs by working for the community during their stay in the village. Gram fellows are required to spend three weeks during the winter break experiencing the life of common rural people who may not have access to sufficient resources. It is considered an opportunity for fellows to think beyond technological interventions and address the concerns of the community. Beyond that, fellows are free to conduct fieldwork with specific objectives aligned with their academic research interests.
My Road to Perumathura
In the heart of Kerala's marine richness lies a disregarded community, the skilled fisherfolk integral to the state's identity yet often ignored in the acclaimed "Kerala model of development". Despite being the lifeline of Malayali diets, the fisherfolk face social prejudices based on caste and class. Nevertheless, the resilience and selflessness exhibited by fishermen in times of crisis are truly remarkable. I vividly recall their heroic efforts during the devastating 2018 flood when they brought their boats to rescue those stranded in the affected hinterland areas, including my own locality. These aspects have instilled in me a desire to delve further into the intricacies of the lives of a coastal community, thereby proposing it for the Gram Fellowship.
Additionally, I am interested in studying more about the Muslim fisherfolk community, which led me in search of a suitable field. As I hail from Malabar, I first thought of selecting a coastal village in North Kerala. However, the Fellowship commitee suggested exploring beyond my familiar space, leading me to the southernmost district, Thiruvananthapuram, the heart of Kerala's coastal region with the largest fishing population. Following thorough digital surveying and inquiries, I chose Perumathura, a lush hamlet nestled between Kadinamkulam backwaters and the Arabian Sea, flourishing with fishing, coir production, and a significant Muslim heritage tied to the legendary Chera King Cheraman Perumal.
Perumathura is situated as a serene coastal hamlet, resembling a peninsula, nestled between the Kadinamkulam backwaters in the east, the Arabian Sea in the west, Muthalappozhi estuary in the north, and Mariyanadu in the south. Despite not being officially recognized as a single administrative unit, the people of Perumathura identify themselves within these distinct boundaries, often referring to it as "Akhila Perumathura" (All Perumathura).
The village is scattered across three local gram panchayats: Chirayinkeezh, Azhoor, and Kadinamkulam, dividing between Chirayinkeezh and Thiruvananthapuram taluks. With their headquarters located quite a distance away from the village, the need for proper decentralization has arisen, prompting discussions about establishing a separate panchayat for Perumathura to address common challenges. Due to the absence of a vehicle, most of my exploration was conducted on foot. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed strolling through the length and breadth of Perumathura, which consistently offered picturesque visuals, providing ample material for my phone camera.
Mapping Perumathura
Perumathura Diaries
Read through the pages of "Perumathura Diaries", where I chronicle daily encounters, experiences, and activities, with pictures, weaving a vibrant narrative of my life in this coastal village.
Stories from Perumathura
Dive into captivating moments and engaging encounters as “'Stories from Perumathura” a collection of intriguing incidents and engaging interactions that I experienced in this coastal village.
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