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Fixed a typo found with Wikipedia:Typo_Team/moss.

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{{more citations needed|date=July 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
[[File:Thrissur Townhall.JPG|thumb|right| The colonial building, which houses Trichur Public Library and also [[Thrissur]] Town Hall, is one of the oldest buildings in [[Thrissur]], which was built in 1873]]
'''Thrissur''' {{audio|Thrissur.ogg|pronunciation}} ({{lang-ml|തൃശൂര്‍}}) formerly known as Trichur, is a city in the [[Kerala]] state of [[India]]. It is the headquarters of the [[Thrissur District]]. It is known as the 'Cultural Capital of [[Kerala]]'. The culture of the city can be termed as predominantly South Indian. Residents of Thrissur are known as '''Thrissukkar'''; they are an important part of the South Indian weltanschauung. [[Thrissur]], the cradle of culture of [[Kerala]] is decorated with [[Vadakkunnathan Temple]], from where the name derived. The old name was 'Thrishivaperur' derived from "Thiru Shiva Perur" or "Land of Lord Shiva". The [[Thrissur]] Pooram, celebrated during April–May is top on the list of cultural attraction of South India.

[[Thrissur]] is referred to as the cultural nerve center of the state of [[Kerala]]. Representing the rich cultural heritage and traditional legacy of the state of [[Kerala]], [[Thrissur]] houses several literary and cultural societies that impart training in performing arts of the region. [[Thrissur]] celebrates numerous religious and social festivals with much pomp and glory. Onam, Pooram and Pulikkali are some of the prominent festivals of the local population of Thrissur. The unique culture of the beautiful place of [[Thrissur]] is reflected through the various festivities of the place. During the Onam festival, the artists of [[Thrissur]] perform the traditional dance of Kathakali. The cultural hub of [[Kerala]], [[Thrissur]] maintains a harmonious balance between traditional arts and modern values.<ref name=TSR>{{cite web
|url=http://www.tsr.kerala.gov.in/gen.htm
|title=General Information
|publisher=Government of Kerala
|accessdate=2010-04-07
|url-status=dead
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208205700/http://www.tsr.kerala.gov.in/gen.htm
|archivedate=2011-02-08
}}</ref> [[Thrissur]] is widely acclaimed as the land of elephant lovers.

==Thrissur Pooram==
[[File:ThrissurPooram-Kuda.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Elephants in Kerala culture|formation]] of [[gold]]-caparisoned [[Asian elephant|elephant]]s at the Thrissur Pooram. [[Pooram]]s are [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[Temple]]-centered festivals popular among both Keralites and tourists.]]

The world-renowned Thrissur Pooram, arguably called the 'pooram of all poorams,' is celebrated in [[Thrissur]] city of [[Kerala]]. Celebrated in the [[Malayalam calendar]] of Medom (April–May) in every year, it consists of processions of richly caparisoned elephants from various neighbouring temples to the [[Vadakkunnathan Temple]], [[Thrissur]]. The most impressions are those from the [[Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple]] and the Devi temple at [[Paramekkavu]]. Pooram is an assemblage of suburban deities before the presiding deity at the Siva temple in down town [[Thrissur]]. The Pooram celebration is held at the [[Thekkinkadu Maidan]].

Since the word pooram literally means a group or a meeting, it was believed that every year the dynastic gods and goddesses of neighbouring province met together for a day of celebration. This usually happened on the pooram asterism of one of the spring months. The gods and their entourage arrived for the meeting on colourfully decorated tuskers. Even today, the converging of these divine processions at the festival venue is an awe inspiring sight. The pooram draws to a close with mind-blowing fireworks displays in the evening and in the wee hours of the next morning.

The Pooram festival is also well known for the magnificent display of fireworks. It is celebrated by two rival groups representing the two divisions of [[Paramekkavu]] and [[Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple]] vying with each other in making the display of fireworks grander and more colourful. Each group is allowed to display a maximum of fifteen elephants and all efforts are made by each party to secure the best elephants in [[South India]] and the most artistic parasols, several kind which are raised on the elephants during the display. The commissioning of elephants and parasols is done in the utmost secrecy by each party to excel the other. Commencing in the early hours of the morning, the celebrations last till the break of dawn, the next day.

Of the rival groups participating in the Pooram, the most important ones are those from Pramekkavu and Thiruvambadi. At the close of the Pooram both these groups enter the temple through the western gate and come out through the southern gate to array themselves, face to face, one from the round and other form the Municipal Office road. This spectacle is highly enchanting. Although this grand festival is known as [[Thrissur Pooram]], it is in fact the conclusion of the eight-day Utsavam of nine temples. The procession of the Thiruvambadi to the grounds of [[Vadakkunnathan Temple]] and back is not only important, but also quite enlivening. The marvelous as well as magical effect of the Panchavadyam, a combination of five percussion and wind instruments, is to be felt and enjoyed.

Thousands of people from all walks of life gather at the Thekinkadu Maidanam at [[Thrissur]] to celebrate the pooram or festival. The festival highlights include among other things a spectacular pageant of 30 caparisoned elephants and Kudamattom, a competition in the swift rhythmic changing of brightly coloured and sequined parasols. Dazzling fireworks, and a variety of musical performances including the Chendamelam and the indispensable Panchavadyam are also conducted. The [[Thrissur Pooram]], arguably the most famous festival of [[Kerala]], is a heady mixture of pomp and pageantry.

==Puli Kali==
[[File:Pulikali.jpg|thumb|right|[[Swaraj Round, Thrissur]] is the place to watch [[Puli Kali]] in [[Kerala]]]].
Puli Kali also known as Kaduvakali is a colorful recreational folk art from [[Thrissur]]. It is performed by trained artists to entertain people on the occasion of Onam, an annual harvest festival, celebrated mainly in [[Kerala]]. On the fourth day of Onam celebrations (Nalaam Onam), performers painted like tigers and hunters in bright yellow, red, and black dance to the beats of instruments like Udukku and Thakil. Literal meaning of Pulikali is the 'play of the tigers' hence the performance revolve around the theme of tiger hunting.

On the fourth day of Onam, the Pulikkali groups or 'sangams' as they are called, from all four corners of [[Thrissur]] move in a procession, dancing, pouncing and shaking their bellies to the beat of the drums through the streets to the [[Swaraj Round, Thrissur]] situated in the heart of the city. Scenes such as the tiger preying on an animal, and a tiger being hunted by a game-hunter are enacted beautifully in between. Thousands of spectators line the streets enjoying the dance, cheering the dancers some of them even trying to join in.

The groups assemble at Naduvilal in the [[Swaraj Round, Thrissur]] in front of the [[Vadakkunnathan Temple]] and offer a coconut each to the deity of the Ganapati shrine (Naduvilal Ganapati Kovil) here, before going on a procession around the ground. The procession also include floats from each village. The different troupes vie with each other to make the best floats as well as the best dressed tigers.

A striking feature of this folk art is the colorful appearance of the performers. A particular combination of tempera powder and varnish or enamel is used to make the paint. First of all, the dancers remove the hair from the body, and then, the base coat of paint is applied on them. It takes two to three hours for the coating to dry. After that, the second coat of paint is applied with enhanced design. This entire procedure takes at least five to seven hours. A large number of artists gather to apply paint on the tigers. It is a meticulous process and often starts from the wee hours in the morning.

[[File:Kanimangalam Valiyalukkal Bhagavathi Temple.jpg|thumbnail|Kanimangalam Valiyalukkal Bhagavathi Temple]]

==Cuisine==

The cuisine of [[Thrissur]] is linked to its history, geography, demography and culture of the land. Mainly Rice is the staple food of the people in [[Thrissur]]. Typically, [[Thrissur]] Hindus are not vegetarians, though some individual members may avoid non-vegetarians. Muslims and Christians, that are predominantly non-vegetarians use fish, poultry and meat. The routine dietary in a family consists of breakfast, lunch, tiffin and supper. Kanji or Rice gruel with some vegetable curry and pickles formed the main breakfast until very recently in almost all families, but it has now been replaced by tea, coffee or other beverages taken along with dishes like Dosai, Iddali, Poori, Chappathi and Uppuma. Fish is an important item in the diet of about 90% of the population. Tapioca is another vegetable used by poor and the middle class. The reason for the large scale consumption of tapioca is attribute to its high calorific value. Grated coconut and coconut milk are widely used in dishes and curries as a thickener and flavouring ingredient in [[Thrissur]]. Black pepper, cardamom, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon play a large part in Thrissur's food habits.

Achappam (rosette cookies) and Kuzhalappam are the most popular snack that you come across in [[Thrissur]] Christian families. These snacks are mostly served in the time of Christmas or church festivals in Thrissur. Achu means 'mould' and appam means something made with rice flour which is deep fried or steam cooked. Achappam are made using intricately designed irons. The iron is heated to a very high temperature in oil, dipped into the batter, then re-immersed in the hot oil to create a crisp shell around the metal. The iron is immediately removed and the achappam is separated from the iron. Usually, the edges of the achappam are dipped into frosting or sugar.
Vellayappams are the other dish which [[Thrissur]] is adored for. Many small houses near [[Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours]] specializes in selling fresh Vellayappams.

===Indian Coffee House===
[[Indian Coffee House]] has played an important role in the culture of every Thrissukkaran. Established on 1958 in the Mangalodayam buildings, in [[Swaraj Round, Thrissur]], is also the first [[Indian Coffee House]] of [[Kerala]]. There are around 50 Indian Coffee Houses in [[Kerala]] under the control of India Coffee Board Worker's Co-operative Society.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.indiancoffeehouse.com/aboutus.php
|title=History
|publisher=Indian Coffe House
|accessdate=2010-04-10}}</ref>

==Thrissur Slang==
The [[Malayalam]] language spoken by the people of [[Thrissur District]] of [[Kerala]] is called [[Thrissur]] slang or dialect of [[Malayalam]]. It is generally considered one of the most recognisable accents within [[Malayalam]] language. They apparently speak a kind of slurred [[Malayalam]]. [[Bhavana (actress)]], [[Tovino]], [[Innocent (actor)]], [[Kalabhavan Mani (actor)]], [[Philomina]] and [[T. G. Ravi]] are some of the very well known people who have used [[Thrissur]] dialect in Malayalam film industry. Around 96% of the people of [[Thrissur]] speak [[Malayalam]] as their mothertongue. Only 2.5% of the people speaks [[Tamil language|Tamil]] as their mother tongue.

==Arts and literature==
[[File:Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy.jpg|thumb|right|[[Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy]]]]
[[File:Graffity in the making...(On a wall at Thrissur) CIMG9868.JPG|thumb|right|'''[[Graffity]] in the making...'''<br><br>A street artist symbolically uses natural pigments (mostly charcoal, plant saps and dirt) to paint this scenic landscape smeared with fire and smoke afar, very typical of present-day villages in Kerala where plastics and other household wastes are burned recklessly. He does not expect any monitory or charity rewards for his work. Instead, his graffiti is an open protest to the carelessness of society]]
[[File:Graffity in the making...(On a wall at Thrissur) CIMG9873.jpg|thumb|right]]

[[Kerala Sahitya Academy]], [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy]] and Kerala Lalithakala Academy are headquartered at [[Thrissur]]. [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi]] was established to promote the growth of Malayalam language and literature. [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy]] promotes dance, music, drama and folk arts of Kerala. Kerala Lalitakala Akademi was established to promote fine arts and artistic heritage. The famous [[Kerala Kalamandalam]] is also situated in Thrissur District.<ref name=TSR />

==Film Festivals==
Thrissur hosts two film festivals, [[Thrissur International Film Festival]] and [[ViBGYOR Film Festival]].
[[Thrissur International Film Festival]] is the second largest film festival in Kerala state. Masters and Classics, Children’s films, Young films, Beyond Universe, Folk waves and Contemporary World Films are the major sessions in the festival.

==Thrissur tourism==
*1) '''Participate in the [[Thrissur Pooram]]'''
Witness world-renowned [[Thrissur Pooram]], arguably the most famous festival of [[Kerala]] and is called the 'Pooram of all Poorams'. The festival is held in the premises of the [[Vadakkumnatha temple]], a classic example of the [[Kerala]] style of architecture. The festival highlights include, among other things, a spectacular pageant of 30 caparisoned elephants and Kudamattom, a competition in the swift rhythmic changing of brightly coloured and sequined parasols.

*2) '''[[Puli Kali]]'''
Dress like [[Big Cat]] to attend [[Puli Kali]], on the fourth day of [[Onam]], where [[Puli Kali]] troupes from all over the district assemble to display their skills.

*3) '''[[Thekkinkadu Maidan]]'''
Take a stroll in [[Thekkinkadu Maidan]], which seats the [[Vadakkumnathan temple]] and host the spectacular cultural festival [[Thrissur Pooram]], which is considered the 'Mother of all Poorams in [[Kerala]].

[[File:Bhavana 2008.jpg|thumb|right| [[Bhavana (actress)]], one of the most recognised faces in South Indian film industry is a native of [[Thrissur]]]].

*4) '''[[Bible Tower]]'''
The [[Bible Tower]], is the tallest church tower in [[Asia]]. It can be seen from anywhere in the [[Thrissur]] city.

*5) '''Buy gold'''
Considered as the Gold Capital of [[India]], gold ornament are widely sold.

*6) '''An elephant ride'''
Ride an elephant in [[Thekkinkadu Maidan]], widely acclaimed as the land of elephant lovers.

*7) [[Indian Coffee House]]
Sip a cup of coffee at [[Indian Coffee House]] in [[Thrissur Round]], one of culture mascots of [[Kerala]].

*8) '''Join a [[Chit fund]]'''
One of the contributions of [[Thrissur]] to the world of economics. Recognised by RBI as 'Banking town, [[Thrissur]] houses the headquarters of three banks.

*9) '''Ayurvedic massage'''
[[Thrissur]] has many century old tradition in drug manufacturing and treatment.

*10) '''Visit a temple and church'''
[[Thrissur]] is a treasure of temples and churches

==References==
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{{reflist}}

{{thrissur topics}}

[[Category:Culture of Thrissur| ]]

Culture of Thrissur - Revision history

>Ira Leviton: Fixed a typo found with Wikipedia:Typo_Team/moss.