Thangassery… a Gem on the Seashore
After visiting my friend Dilly at Thangassery, I had this question that I could not find an answer to… why hadn’t I visited the place earlier? Dilly and I have been friends for donkey’s years, I knew of the beauty and historical importance of the place… maybe it is true that there is a right time for everything!
Located near Kollam in the south western state of Kerala in India, Thangassery is a beautiful seashore town with a unique cultural heritage. Established as home to the Anglo-Indian community (which includes all people of European descent), its contributions to the cultural milieu of the region are invaluable.
The word ‘thangassery’ means gold town or gold village, referring to the distant past when spice trade was conducted here using gold coins. It was also known as ‘Dutch Quilon’ till the 20th century.
Thangassery has a long history, going back to the colonial times when European powers jostled for domination in the Eastern territories. The first European power to appear in Thangassery were the Portuguese, who leased the area of Thangassery from the queen of Quilon (currently called Kollam) in the year 1502, to be used as a trading post. The dilapidated remains of Forte de São Tomé (Fort St. Thomas), built by the Portuguese in 1518 to protect their enclave, can still be seen in Thangassery.
The fort that rose up to a height of 20 feet, is under the care of Archaeological Survey of India and is currently being restored.
After almost a century and half, the decline in the Portuguese power in Europe and the colonial territories led to a Dutch victory at Quilon. In 1661, Fort St. Thomas and Thangassery passed into the hands of the Dutch, who developed the area further. After another century, the fortunes of the British were on the ascendant and the Dutch had to surrender Thangassery to the English East India Company in 1795.
Many of the Portuguese and Dutch soldiers and traders had married locally and settled in Thangassery. This cultural mixing has always enriched the life of Thangassery in many ways. The grid pattern of the roads existing in Thangassery town even today was established by the Dutch. The only other place where I have seen such a perfect grid of roads is my own town, NYC! 🙂
There are several food items that have come out of this mixing of cultures, where local ingredients available in the tropical climate of Kerala find a place in traditional Portuguese and Dutch recipes and get reborn as amazing items. And I thought I had tasted them all. Imagine my surprise when I discovered ‘orappam’, a kind of white halva with a definite coconut flavour, that belongs right at the top with the best of them!
Thangassery lighthouse, established in 1902 and still functional, is one the attractions of the place. The view from the top of the lighthouse is worth every one of the 193 steps you have to climb to get there.
Starting with the tranquil basin of Kollam port protected by the Thangassery breakwater, extending 1.1 mile into the sea…
your eyes will sweep over the vista of the Arabian Sea in a 270 degree arc to land again on a rocky shoreline studded with graceful coconut palms.
Moving further, your gaze will settle on the green landscape dominated by the church steeple…
to end up back at the colouful fishing boats pulled on the shores along the Thangassery Beach Road.
A view that you will never tire of, I can guarantee!
The circular wooden staircase of the lighthouse itself is a work of art.
Standing at a height of 144 feet, the lighthouse has a luminous range of 26 nautical miles. The lighthouse has been in continuous use since its inception.
One of the oldest printing presses in India from where the first book in Kerala was published in1578; Mount Carmel Anglo Indian Girls School, the first convent schools for girls established in 1885; the Infant Jesus Church, a Portuguese-built church that goes back centuries… Thangassery’s claim to fame are many. Still, old timers here are quick to point out the changed circumstances in the town. Large scale migration of the younger generations seeking better fortunes has taken its toll on the local community. Old life styles are disappearing with the influx of outsiders into a hitherto close-knit community.
Though many believe that the golden years of Thangassery are long gone, I found the place charming and delightful. My only regret is that I did not make this trip a long time ago!
I have posted a bunch of photos from Thangassery here…
~Ria
A very well written piece about my home town, Kollam…
Very good description. Just a small correction ;not near Kollam, but in Kollam!
I am now 90 years old but there are days when I listen in memory of the Waves during monsoon times dashing against the rocky shores and lulling us to a perfect sleep. The Convent Beach , now long gone would be thronging with us teenagers having fun , Innocent fun, and when the Angelus bells began to ring at 6 Pm we held our shoes in our hands and ran as fast as we could to be at home before the ninth strike of the bell for the family rosary. Our lives were lived around the church functions and weddings meant the whole village would be out to watch if not invited.The bells tolled to inform of a death, a wedding, a christening, Easter Christmas. And instead of bells a wooden beat would announce the Death of Jesus on Good Friday. Most young people married within the community making the colony a family of it’s own
Although we people of this little hamlet have spread out all over the world the ties still bind us and we form Tangasserians groups where ever there are enough of us to have fun, raise money or celebrate Christmas in our traditional way
When I celebrate my 90th soon most of the people will be relatives and Tangassery folk. We can still talk with nastalga of HOME
Loved your account of Tangy. Our childhood there was so beautiful and Cyril and I share so many happy memories there. Why didn’t I convince you to visit Tangy when we were in India?
Thanks Ria ,for the brilliant portrayal of a true golden spot. A ‘916’ piece indeed, befitting the beauty and the value of Tangasseri. Thanks for throwing light to the rich history of the mixed cultures.
Sad that those who live within, and also not very far from the state,never bother to pause and ponder over the priceless gems of our (God’s!hmmm) own country……Muttathe mullakku …………..
Mmmmmm, so you believe the name sez it all…..Thangassery, the place of pure gold !!
Lovely stuff. Keep going, really.
Naren
Lovely!
One of the photo reminded me of a coastal view in Arecibo, my hometown in Puerto Rico.
Un abrazo! Enjoy!