A team of students and faculty from the Department of Architecture and Planning are on cloud nine as their academic work has drawn the prestigious title 'UNESCO City of Literature' to Kozhikode City. The team from NIT Calicut did a comprehensive documentation of the Literary resources and assets of Kozhikode as part of the study.

The study reveals that the literary history of Kozhikode started in the 14th century itself. The team also worked untiringly to gather details and literary documents to prove that the city was home to many celebrated writers. 

"The Department of Architecture at NIT Calicut is the second best architecture department in India and our team is committed to serving society and helping the community," said Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director of NIT Calicut. "We are happy that our efforts to highlight the literary tradition of the city have yielded positive results," he added. 

The students who were part of the study also highlighted many interesting facts about the city. The study revealed that Kozhikode has the highest library concentration in India with 550 libraries, excluding personal libraries. 

The team started the study in July 2022 and concluded the work in January 2023. The document was submitted to UNESCO in June 2023. 

The city also houses 70 publishing houses, 100 plus book stores etc. which no city can boast of, said Dr. Mohammed Firoz, Head of, the Department of Architecture and Planning and a faculty coordinator of the study. We could find a large number of literary enthusiasts from different social strata which helped us grab the title. 

A team of students including Promiti Mallick, Athira Ashokan, Bharat Reddy, Nimil Hussain and Lavanya PK completed the documentation by conducting interviews of several people from all strata of the society like Writers, Doctors, normal people, working women, house wives etc. 

The project was guided by faculty members Dr Mohamemd Firoz C, Head of the Department, Dr Shyni Anil Kumar and research scholar Dr Susan Cyriac. The project was completed with the support of Dr Ajith Kaliyath from KILA, Trissur and Dr Beena Philip, Mayor, Kozhikode Corporation.

The study also proposed to enhance the literary culture of the city. A literature museum, reading street, children’s literature fest and the revamp of ‘Kolaya Culture’ (The use of Veranda to discuss literary topics).    

According to the experts from NITC UNESCO Tag for Kozhikode City of Literature will boost the literature culture of Kozhikode and encourage the tourism prospect of the city. Besides, the tag is expected to benefit the social fabric of the city. 

We have learnt that the Kozhikode City Corporation has already earmarked Rs. 1 crore in the budget to start the works related to the proposals in the study, said Dr. Mohammed Firoz.

Media Reports

• NIT Calicut’s department of architecture elated at Kozhikode securing Unesco’s ‘City of Literature’ tag - The Hindu

• NIT-C elated at Kozhikode securing ‘City of Literature’ tag - The Hindu

• NITC study helps kozhikode win UNESCO honour  - New Indian Express

• NITC study helps Kozhikode win UNESCO honour - New Indian Express

• NIT Students Propel Kozhikode to UNESCO ‘City of Literature’ Honor - East Coast Daily

• കോഴിക്കോടിന് യുനസ്കോയുടെ സാഹിത്യനഗരപദവി അഭിമാന നിമിഷം, എൻ.ഐ.ടി കാലിക്കറ്റിനും - Kerala Kaumudi

• അഭിമാന നിമിഷം, എൻ. ഐ. ടി. കാലിക്കറ്റിനും - Kerala Kaumudi

• സാഹിത്യനഗരം : എൻ. ഐ. ടി. കാലിക്കറ്റിനും അഭിമാനം - Mathrubhumi

• കോഴിക്കോടിന് യുനെസ്കോ സാഹിത്യനഗരം പദവി - Malayala Manorama

• എൻ. ഐ. ടിക്ക് അഭിമാനനിമിഷം - Deshabhimani

• A bunch of NIT students is the reason Kozhikode earned UNESCO's 'City of Literature' tag - On Manorama