The latest Malayalam calendar brought out by Gramika E.K. Divakaran Potti Memorial Library at Kuzhikkattussery in Thrissur district does much more than a usual calendar — it turns the passage of a year into a journey through Kerala’s cultural and historical memory.

The Malayalam calendar for Kollavarsham 1202 has been released with a distinctive feature; the dates are printed using numerals in the old Vattezhuthu script, giving the calendar a distinct Kerala identity.

Photographs

The calendar also serves as a compact cultural archive. It carries photographs of 116 notable personalities from different walks of life, including freedom fighters, renaissance leaders, social reformers, writers and artists. The remembrance days of 317 personalities, along with other significant and commemorative days, have also been included.

Adding to its historical character is the Preamble to the Constitution of India, accompanied by photographs of the architects of the Constitution.

The calendar covers the Malayalam year from Chingam 1 (August 17, 2026) to Karkidakam 31 (August 16, 2027). Alongside the Malayalam dates, it provides their corresponding Arabic numerals and Gregorian dates, making it easy to use in everyday life.

Its purpose

For Gramika, a Thrissur-based cultural organisation, however, the calendar is more than a practical tool. It is an effort to keep alive the Kollavarsham, Kerala’s traditional system of reckoning time, and to give the Malayalam calendar a place in contemporary life.

Poet Balakrishnan Anchath released the calendar by handing over a copy to writer Valsalan Vathussery. Gramika president P.K. Kittan presided.

With its blend of traditional script, history, literature, art and constitutional values, the calendar seeks to make every month a reminder of the people and ideas that have shaped Kerala and India.

Published - August 16, 2026 08:13 pm IST