Melapalayam

Melapalayam is a neighborhood of Tirunelveli City in Tamil Nadu, India situated on the east bank of the Thamirabarani River. The neighborhood's name comes from its location west of Palayamkottai. Eighty percent of the population is Muslim.

Melapalayam is 4.1 km west of downtown Tirunelveli and is an administrative zone of the Tirunelveli City Municipal Corporation.

History
Melapalayam was known as Keela Veera Ragavapuram during British Rule. The old Tamil name for the region is Mangai Maa Nagar.

Melapalayam is a Muslim majority town.Back in 14th century, 7 families(40 members) of Arab traders or 40 families of Arab traders were came to the Kollam (kerala) port. They were decided to go Kayalpattinam (another Muslim village). On their way, they found the mesmerizing Thamirabarani river and paddy fields. They decided to stay there and preach Islam. Marrying local people of the place and converting lots of natives. That is how the Melapalayam become Muslim majority in modern days. The Arab family names are thakkadi, tharvesh , kattai, Mohamed sabbani, lebbai, maayatti etc.

Before Islam, there were Tamil community people lived there were Moopanar or Nainar (udaiyar), Mudhaliyar (majority), Pillai and some others.

Melapalayam has the highest Muslim population area in whole Tamil Nadu (more than 1 lakh). More than 100 Mosques are there in this town.

Sadakkathullah Appa was actually born in Melapalayam. It was misinterpreted as Kayalpattinam in Tuticorin, which is near Melapalayam. The old name of Melapalayam was also Kayalpattinam. The Arab settlements in Melapalayam occurred because they were searching for Kayalpattinam. Sadakkathullah Appa College, which was built in 1971, is named after him.

Literacy
Melapalayam has an average literacy rate of 62.4%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is 71.6% while female literacy is 28.4%.

Education
The area of Melapalayam had a poor standard of education until the 21st century. Since then, more schools have been established and educational accessibility has increased. Many welfare trusts have been formed advocating for social awareness of education. The Muslim Higher Secondary School in Melapalayam attained Tamil Nadu state second level rank in the SSLC examination held in April 2011. As a result of campaigning by social organizations, there was a visible increase in literacy; candidates from Melapalayam have acquired seats in IIT, IISc and other prominent universities both in India and abroad.

Higher secondary schools in the neighborhood are classified as Government Aided Minority Institutions. Part of the student community of Melapalayam travels to Palayamkottai for education.

They include Annai Hajira Women's College and Government Engineering College, Tirunelveli

Mosques
There are more than 100 mosques in the neighborhood, many containing cemeteries. Major mosques are located at the ends of streets. The majority of mosques are 'Waqf' registered and are administrated by local residents, usually residents of the particular Mohalla.

Culture
Islam and Hindu celebrations and ceremonies are common in the neighborhood.

Culture of melapalayam similar to malabar coast Muslims.The dressing style of elder one's are similar to malabar style,foods like Neisoru(ghee rice),biriyani also from kerala style and mixture of Tamil .Celebrates kanthiri(some Tamil Muslim festival) just like other Tamil Muslims. Most of them are Hanafi.

Business
In the neighborhood's early years, its economy was based on handloom trading. Handloom products were exported to various countries such as Sri Lanka and Burma. This trade has been discontinued. In its place, the Beedi industry became a significant part of the economy. Most women in the area are employed by Beedi Rolling works. Many of the beedi manufacturers in South India laid their production units in and around Melapalayam. Recently, more local men have been working abroad in other Indian states.

Transport
Due to the closed layout of the neighborhood, roads cannot be extended to accommodate buses. Buses going towards Melacheval, Pathamadai, Cheranmahadevi, and Ambasamudhiram pass through the area. There is no bus facility available within the area. Auto sharing used to be used for local transport. However, due to the rash driving of the auto drivers, the business was closed and people are now using taxis for local transportation.

There are currently bus services from Melapalayam to Tirunelveli Town and limited bus services to Palayamkottai, a main education center of Tirunelveli district and Taluk headquarters of Melapalayam. Due to this, students from Melapalayam struggle to take buses in rush hours.

Marriage
The area has its own marriage traditions. Residents would often marry within the city and marriages would generally be held at the local mosque. Before marriage, participants must obtain an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from a mosque or jamath. The marriage feast is also famous for the unique "Thaalcha", known locally as "Kathirikkaanam" (main ingredient is Brinjal) made with Ghee rice and Biriyani.

Food culture
Melapalayam is famous for non-vegetarian food. Special food caterers are available in the city. The food and beverages culture here resembles those of Muslim communities in Kerala and Kayalpattinam. Typical foods include Oottu Mavu, Thakkadi, Medical Rice and Vattlappam. Oottu mavu is a type of snack made with powdered rice deep fried with sugar and eggs. Thakkadi (modified version of Haleem, another typical food) is made with powdered rice, which is made into solid pieces which are soaked in hot masala and eaten with mutton. Medical Rice, popularly known as 'Marunthu Choru (மருந்துச் சோறு) is made with some sidhdha medical ingredients prepared for pregnant people and is eaten during festive occasions. Vattlappam is unique to towns like Melapalayam, Muthupet and some other major Muslim towns in Tamil Nadu. The Vattlappam or Egg pudding (as a combination for Idiyappam or dosa) is made up of eggs, sugar and coconut extracts. This special food is prepared for festivals like Ramzan, Bakrid and marriages.Semiya Biryani also famous food in this city. It varies with other Semiya, their semiya made by using biryani style.

Hospitals
To serve a densely populated city, hospitals were founded during the 21st century. 1. Government Hospital 2. Urban PHC 3. Selvan Hospital (a private institute with more than 35 years of experience) 4. Jeyakumar Hospital 5. Crescent Hospital (established by TNT Jamaath) and other numerous clinics also available

Health Issues
There is little education on hygiene and, as a result, there is a heightened level of illness in the city. A specific incident involved water contamination caused by improper disposal of beedi waste. A virus was quickly spread through the city.

Social organizations spread awareness on cleanliness and related topics.

Market
Melapalayam is famous for its cattle market, which is said to be the second largest cattle market (மாட்டு சந்தை) in Tamil Nadu next to Devakottai. The market is open only on Tuesdays. Goat and dried fish markets are available in the same place. Merchants from various parts of the state will accumulate at the market on Monday night to begin trading right from midnight. A government administered butchering center also established in this cattle market (மாட்டு சந்தை).

Besides the cattle market, fish and vegetable markets are also available in Melapalayam Bazaar.(உழவர் சந்தை) Uzhavar Santhai (Direct Selling Point of Farmers) is located opposite to Melapalayam Municipal Office.

Banks

 * Canara Bank
 * Bank of Baroda
 * Union Bank of India
 * Indian Overseas Bank
 * Melapalayam Primary Agricultural Co-operative Bank
 * Pandiyan Grama Bank
 * Thiruvalluvar Cooperative Bank
 * CSB BANK

Social Reforms
Many awareness societies are being formed for the welfare of the people of Melapalayam. Education is the primary social movement.

List of Social Forums
IMFRAS BAITHUL MAAL (IBM) Vuharavi welfare association(VWA)
 * Minorities Education and Enlightenment Forum (MEEF)
 * Melapalayam Health and Education Trust (MHET)
 * Social Awareness Service Organisation (SASO)
 * Melapalayam Progressive Forum (MPMPROF)
 * Speed Blood Service (SBS)
 * Melapalayam Healthcare Society (MHS)
 * Melapalayam Medical Society (MMS)
 * Asura Trust (AT)
 * Popular Front of India (PFI)
 * Melapalayam Neer Nilaiya paathukappu & paramarippu sankam (licensed since Aug 19, 2019)
 * Pasiyilla Melapalayam
 * Pasumai Melapalayam
 * QMS-BAITHULMAL (Quide Millath StreetT)
 * Ibadhur Rahman (Sappani Alim Street)
 * SPREAD LOVE
 * Peace Ambulance

Police station
Melapalayam police station is one of the most active among Tirunelveli city police stations due to its higher rate of religious issues.

Sports
There is no Government organized sports club in the city. Minority welfare organisations have started a games association with games like cricket, kabadi, carrom, volleyball, badminton and football. At the present, there is no dedicated ground for any games.

Theater
There is one theater in the city, "Alangar Cinemas". It was a famous theater in the 80's and 90's. It has been remodified and opened

Politics
Melapalayam is a part of Palayamkottai Legislative Assembly Constituency.

Apart from state level parties Like ADMK, DMK, DMDK, MDMK, and MJK, Muslim political organizations like TMMK, MMK, SDPI and Indian Union Muslim League have strong political holds in Melapalayam.

DMK is the Strongest party in this Place having hold the Palayamkottai Legislative Assembly Constituency for more than Three Decades.