The Kolathiri kingdom deserves special mention with
regard to the cultural heritage of the State.
In the 14th
and 15th centuries, under the Kolathiri Rajas, Thaliparmaba
became a famous centre of learning, enlightenment and culture. The story
of this place developing into a cultural centre is intimately linked
with the famous Thaliparamba temple.
With the
transfer of the capital of Kolathiri from Thaliparamaba to Chirakkal,
Chirakkal also rose into prominence as a great centre of the arts.
The gift
of the district in the field of art and culture is its folk arts. The
social situation that prevailed here gave rise to various folk art
forms. The assimilation of the different styles of Aryan and non-aryan
culture and the influence of Jain and Budhist philosophies kindled its
growth further.
Though
the social set-up has been effaced by time, the cultural life of the
folk remains unchanged.
