ALAPPUZHA The Gujarati Street in Alappuzha municipality, with its heritage buildings and mansions -- mostly built during the colonial era, has many stories to tell. It was here that the 1992 Malayalam blockbuster Vietnam Colony was filmed. But most importantly, and in the annals of history, the Gujarati Street will be remembered for its significant role in the evolution of Alappuzha as a port town.
After the Diwan of Travancore Raja Kesavadas developed the Alappuzha port in 1762, the Venice of the East became the trade centre for spices, coir and so on. Several Gujarati merchants belonging to Jains, Kutchi Memons, Parsis and Vaishnavites moved and settled across the Commercial canal, which later became the Gujarati Street. After decades of maritime trade hegemony and development, the port town lost its glory as another port in Kochi flourished. The Gujarati Street, which once housed hundreds of families, shops and establishments of Gujarati communities and witnessed a great deal of activities, now paints a contrasting view with some of the old structures crumbling and in a dilapidated state. Fewer than 40 families of Gujarati origin remain as majority left for pastures new. That said, its long-cherished heritage is an invaluable treasure that needs to be protected.
