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INTRODUCTION

In the year 2023, Kozhikode was recognized as the City of Literature by
UNESCO. This was a proud moment for the citizens of Kozhikode, as it

brought to light the rich literary and cultural heritage that the city had held

for centuries. The people of Kozhikode are deeply involved in the creative
field, and this was a key reason for the city receiving this prestigious award.
Thesis Report V-SPARC VIT
As someone who was born and raised in Kozhikode, this moment was a source

of great pride and inspiration for me to design something that would pay

tribute to the literature and cultural history of the city.

The proposed Design is named “Kathamrutham” which means “Nectar of

Stories” is a space well designed to preserve the words, the literature heritage

and a long tradition of kolaya (veranda) gatherings - informal, free-flowing

discussions on politics and the arts and a space to encourage reading.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

The literary scene in Kozhikode is not limited to just fiction and novels, but

also encompasses culinary arts, film making, and other art forms.

Surprisingly, the survey conducted by the mayor’s Social Development Goals
(SDG) Fellowship Programme, in partnership with KILA and CEPT

University, found a strong interest in literature among diverse groups in

Kozhikode, including unemployed individuals, housewives, young people, and
professionals. This demonstrates the widespread appeal of literature across

different sections of society. The survey, which took place over two and a half

months, aimed to understand the public’s interest in literature, their reading
habits, enthusiasm for literary events, and library engagement, both online

and offline.

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