Thalappara

Thalappara or Moonniyur is a place located in the Malappuram district of Kerala in India. It is on the NH 17. It is located in the highway that connects between Thrissur and Calicut.The important places around Thalappara are Padikkal, Velimukku, Alinchuvadu, Muttichira, Kaliyatamucku, Parakkdavu, Kunnathu Parambu, Chuzhali, Kalathingalpara, Areeppara, Mullankuzhi and Chekuthan moola.Moonniyur Grama PanchayathThalappara is administered by a local council called 'Moonniyur Grama Panchayath which includes villages like Muttichira, Velimukku, Palakkal and Panickottumpadi. Next to Mooniyur Panchayath lies Thenipalam Panchayath which comes after Panickottumpadi(Padikkal). The populationis 38,000.CultureThalappara village is a predominantly Muslim populated area. Hindus exist in comparatively smaller numbers. So the culture of the locality is based upon Muslim traditions. Duff Muttu, Kolkali and Aravanamuttu are common folk arts of this locality. There are many libraries attached to mosques giving a rich source of Islamic studies. Most of the books are written in Arabi-Malayalam which is a version of the Malayalam language written in Arabic script. People gather in mosques for the evening prayer and continue to sit there after the prayers discussing social and cultural issues. Business and family issues are also sorted out during these evening meetings. The Hindu minority of this area keeps their rich traditions by celebrating various festivals in their temples. Hindu rituals are done here with a regular devotion like other parts of Kerala.