THE KOZHIKODE TALI - THE SEAT OF PATTANAM

REVATHI PATTATTANAM 

The origin of this celebrated literary Assembly has on exulting and colourful story. It focuses light on the nature of temple administration that existed in the beginning. And this came into icing as the act of expiation of sin perpetrated by the Zamorins on the priests called porlatiris in charge of temple administration. In the beginning Nambudiri priests held unlimited sway over this temple administration, as it was the case with Kerala temples. The entire Kerala mandalam was split up into temple states with village or gramam as the administrative unit.

The gramam was administered by Kazhakam-an advisory Board with an officer called Taliatiri. These villages were called Talis. Among such 18 talis, Kozhikode Tali was one and it was very famous at it. The presiding deity of the Tali was the head and every thing was done in his name. The territory enjoying the Lord's administration was called Sanketam. The Talitris were carrying on many philanthropic activities including running of Vedapathasalas. 

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