The Guide Perfect for All Heritage Freaks

Adventurous explorer, travel consultant par excellence, voracious reader, masterly storyteller… there are plenty of sobriquets that describe K Mohan, but the self-taught tour guide from Kozhikode is now seeking new frontiers. The 67-yearold is presently busy penning a book titled The Unknown Kozhikode, which can safely be expected to be delight for all heritage freaks. The man with a vast handson experience of Kozhikode will share his invaluable knowledge on the port city, charting its historic course from the 1960s to present day. The architectural wealth of the region, its traditional craftsmen, history of several landmarks and contributions of the migrant communities are set to be the highlights of the book. Extensive details about Mananchira- a tank situated in the heart of the city, which was built by the Zamorin, the 150-year-old Judge’s Bungalow, the Tali temple built in the 14th century and the century-old twin towers at the railway station, are also going to be a part of the book. The book will be published next month. Mohan, who had a keen interest in heritage houses right from childhood, has today become an ineluctable go-to man for the Tourism Department, thanks to his association with the ‘Grihasthali’ project in 2005. His vast knowledge of the history of India is courtesy an insatiable appetite for reading. Tourists to the city are regularly overwhelmed by the nuggets and anecdotes the knowledgeable guide narrates, and this led the Department of Tourism to appoint him to escort a French kite photographer Nicholas Chorier, on his trip to Kerala. Enthralled by the guidance provided by him, Chorier acknowledged Mohan as his true soulmate in Kerala. Chorier’s book A Kite’s Eye View: India: Between Earth and Sky, included 64 photographs, of which 16 were from Kerala and nine had a specific Kozhikode-connect, like Payyoli beach, Sacrifice Rock and Kalaripayattu. Mohan has conducted several group tours to different parts of India and has been in the trade for over 15 years. Some of his significant missions include leading the Communist China Television (CCTV) and NHK Japan team on a project related to the ‘Silk Route from East’ and the ‘See India with the Indian Railways’ project. Professor David A Warrell of the University of Oxford personally thanked the travel aficionado in an e-mail for his expert guidance during sightseeing. Mohan was also bestowed with the ‘Best Tourism Guide in Kerala’ award by the Kerala State Tourism Department in 2010. And that is not the lone accolade to come his way. Mohan has received the second prize in a brochure-making contest on heritage sites of Kozhikode, a special consolation prize from INTACH for a road-map on the historical walk along Kozhikode beach. An Economics graduate from Malabar Christian College, Mohan believes that the training he received during his school and college days has contributed significantly to his success as a tour guide. Presently the convenor of ‘Pathemari,’ a bi-annual newsletter published by INTACH and the bosun of Calicut Boat Club in Elathur, the eternal traveler has his hands full, and is thoroughly enjoying it.Source:  http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article1464795.ece