In Narasimharajapura (NR Pura), Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, a vibrant Malayali community has thrived for nearly a century. With over 10,000 Malayalis residing here, this town holds a unique slice of Kerala’s culture within the scenic backdrop of rural Karnataka. Malayali tea shops, barbershops adorned with Kerala film stars, and familiar village-like stores give NR Pura a distinctive charm, reminiscent of Kerala’s Angamaly and Kothamangalam.
The story of Malayali migration to this region began in 1930, when Varghese, a young man from Angamaly, moved to NR Pura, initially working with the forest department. Recognizing the opportunities, Varghese invited friends and family from Kerala, eventually establishing a robust Malayali presence in the area. As time passed, many bought land, expanding into agriculture with crops like lemongrass and rubber. Varghese’s legacy lives on through the Siddeshwara Temple he built, symbolizing the community’s lasting impact.
Now, Kerala is a distant yet cherished memory for the descendants of these early migrants, a place they hold dear but do not wish to return to permanently.
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