SM Street: The Sweet heart of Calicut

Calicut or Kozhikode is a historically important place in india. Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese sailor, landed at Calicut in 1498. In addition to this, Calicut has a long history of Sea trade relationship with the Arabs. Sailors and merchants from different parts of the world reached Calicut, in search of the “Black Gold” or Pepper which is grown in the hilly regions of Malabar, north of current Kerala state.

SM Street (മിഠായി തെരുവ്) is the heart of Calicut. SM Street is where people of Calicut go to buy whatever they need. Once in a while I go to SM Street for some shopping. The shopping in SM Street is an experience.

SK Pottekkatt, the famous Malayalam writer has written a novel on SM Street where he highlights the life and struggles of the people of SM Street who never found a place in the pages of history. Someone commented that the history of Calicut is not just the history of Zamorins, the kings, but the stories of numerous streets like SM Street. I will definitely write an article on “Oru Theruvinte Kadha” by SK Pottekkat which narrates the story of SM Street.

I enjoy and cherish my moments at SM Street. There is a bust of SK Pottekkat at the entrance of the Street. There are numerous stone chairs on the sides of the entrance for the visitors to sit and relax. In addition to this, some images from the novel “Oru Theruvinte Kadha” are sculpted on the walls of the street near the entrance. Some excerpts from the book are also engraved on the walls.

Whenever I visit the Street, I spend a lot of time there to socialize and to meet new people. The beauty of SM Street is that you can have interesting conversations with strangers. It shows the inclusive culture of the people of Calicut.

SM Street has an “L” shape. There are numerous shops and footpath shops on either side of the roads. As there are no vehicles allowed, you can freely roam around, bargain and purchase whatever you want, at affordable prices. There are coffee shops, juice shops and restaurants too. I find something interesting about the Street each time I visit it.

(To be continued)

Joseph Kala