Kodikunnil Suresh, MP, has demanded the establishment of a Mappila Kala Kendra—an Arabic and Urdu literature centre of excellence—at Charummoodu in the district.
Mr. Suresh raised the demand in the Lok Sabha, highlighting the urgent need to preserve and promote the rich literary and cultural heritage of the Mappila community. Drawing the attention of the Union government, he emphasised that the Mappila community has made invaluable contributions to India’s composite culture through Arabic-Malayalam literature, Urdu writings, Mappila songs, traditional qasida recitations, music, art and spiritual thought. “Despite this profound legacy, there is a glaring absence of dedicated institutional support for the conservation, research, and dissemination of these traditions,” Mr. Suresh said.
The Mavelikara MP noted that Charummoodu, situated at the cultural crossroads of Alappuzha and Kollam districts, has historically been a vibrant centre of Mappila art forms and literary activity. “Establishing a centre of excellence at this location will facilitate research, documentation, training, translation, publication, and cultural exchange, while also ensuring the preservation of rare Arabic-Malayalam manuscripts and invaluable oral histories that are at risk of being lost,” he said.
Mr. Suresh further suggested that the proposed Mappila Kala Kendra could function under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture or in collaboration with institutions such as the Kerala Folklore Academy, the Sahitya Akademi, and the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language, thereby creating a vibrant academic and cultural ecosystem involving scholars, artistes, and students from across the country.
He urged the Union government to treat the project as a national cultural initiative, reaffirming India’s commitment to safeguarding its pluralistic, inclusive, and syncretic heritage, and to initiate steps to establish it at the earliest.
Published – December 18, 2025 05:39 pm IST
