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| Kalmadam of Venad kings, Nagarkovil, TN thehindu.com/ |
Centuries ago the rulers of Kerala took keen interest in providing social services and providing facilities in a simple way to the travelers between villages and town . They came up with simple and small shelters that were dotted across the lands including paddy fields and hilly areas. They called them Kal madams, a sort of make-shift shelter for brief rest.
Just like the Chatrams built by the Maratha rulers of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu in the 18th and 19th centuries for travelers, ‘Kal madams’ of Venad (also spelled Waynad) kings are facing disappearance. Way in the past this land was ruled by the Rajas of the Venad tribe and subsequently Pazhassi Rajahs of Kottayam royal dynasty took over the control.
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| Kanyakumari dist. TN wikipedia.in org |
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| interior of Waynad, Kerala en.wikipedia.org |
Constructed by philanthropists and temple trusts during the reign of Venad kings of Kerala, “Kal madams” (wayside inns), were of immense help to the travelers and farmers in the past and now they are disappearing and uncared for by the government agencies. Reasons may vary - wanton official negligence, lack of protection in the form of barricade around the old structures and most importantly they appear to be disowned by the government. As they are done away with they are prone to be taken possession by law breakers and anti social groups including drunks and drug addicts.
According to R.S. Lal Mohan, convener, Nagercoil chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, there are 54 Kal madams (real number could be over 70) in this region. Unlike self-contained chatrams of Thanjavur delta area, that were well planned and designed to cater to the travelers, these way-side inns-Kal mandams of Kanyakumari district and part of Kerala appear to be jerry-built shelters of small size with ceiling/roof supported by stone pillars. No kitchen or rooms with care takers. In some places they are made of stones for protection against rain and sun. Located away from main roads one has to walk up to them. They appear to be meant for short distance travelers and farmers to take brief rest from a long walk under the scorching sun. That these vintage shelters are vanishing is a sad commentary and there is a need to save them from the encroachers who will abuse them.
For example Kal madam (built in 1867) in the middle of a paddy field near Nagarkovil town , on the henbagaramanpudur-Boothapandi State Highway is encroached upon by a law-breaker and as there is no official periodic check on such old structures. Nor is there some kind of tall fence or some physical barrier around to keep the public off the site. The unscrupulous encroacher here has made one step further and put up a fence and a gate under lock and key as if it is being owned by him. He did not bother about the stone inscription on the front that warns,: If any one damages the “madam,”he/she will undergo a punishment given to those who kill a cow on the banks of the Ganges.”
Only strict laws and punishment will act as deterrent and save the dying monuments.
