Songs of the soil, soul and silence
​We are privileged to bring you this collection by our childhood friend, Rajesh Krishnan, fondly known as Samy. In these pages, he gently opens a window into the everyday life of Palakkad—stories filled with warmth, nostalgia, and the quiet beauty of the land. With each tale, he invites you to journey alongside him, to pause, reflect, and rediscover the simple joys woven into his memories.
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The sketches, along with the memoirs, are Sanusha’s heartfelt contributions. She is an architect-turned-illustrator who finds endless joy in celebrating local heritage through her art. She grew up between Trivandrum and Coimbatore, carrying with her a love for places and their stories. Today, she lives amidst the lush charm of rural Palakkad—a place she has always cherished and loved.
 "On the Verandah, a Heaven" |  "The Nagaraja Doesn’t Forget" |  "Anklets in the Dark" |  "Return to the Agraharam" |
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​Palakkad carries the charm of a village cradled in nature’s abundance, where the verdant stretch of paddy fields sways gently under the shadow of the blue mountains. At its heart lies a vibrant agrarian community, whose toil and traditions form the backbone of the region, nurturing both land and life through generations. The cultural fabric is rich and diverse—from the migrated Brahmins who brought with them traditions of learning and temple culture, to the Tamil influences that flow seamlessly across the border, shaping dialect, cuisine, and daily life. Food here is predominantly vegetarian, reflecting the simplicity of the land, yet the region also surprises with its Rawther Muslim biriyani, an aromatic reminder of the confluence of traditions. The people of Palakkad, warm and hardworking, live in tune with the soil and seasons, while the air is often alive with the colours of art forms, music, and festivals that celebrate both heritage and togetherness.