KOZHIKODE: The Zamorin’s Guruvayurappan College has a glorious history dating back to 1877. The then Zamorin of Calicut, Manavikraman Maharaja Bahadur, opened an English school in that year to provide English education to the members of Zamorin family.
At that time, education was the privilege of a few wealthy families in Malabar, but the rulers opened up the institution for students from all castes in 1878 itself as they realised that education was needed to develop society.
Then called the Kerala Vidyalaya, it later became famous as the Zamorin’s Guruvayurappan College.
For the last 138 years, the college, one of the first educational institutions in Malabar, has played a significant role in Kerala’s cultural and political history.
Most students from Malabar prefer this college though other colleges lure them with the promise of 100 percent results.
“It is its history and the ambience plus the good quality of the faculty that attract students to this college,” says principal Dr. M. Madhavikutty.
The Kerala Vidyalaya was affiliated to the University of Madras as a second grade college in 1879. It was named the Zamorin’s College in 1900. With the help of a grant from the Guruvayur Devaswom, a scenic hilltop, ‘Pokkunnu,’ was purchased and the college started functioning from there in 1958.
In recognition of this aid, the name of the college had been changed to Guruvayurappan College in 1955. It was named the Zamorin’s Guruvayurappan College in 1981. It offers 12 degree and nine PG courses.
“We have around 2,000 students and the quality of education has improved over the years,” the principal says.
The college has been famous for the literary and artistic talents it has produced. It gives equal opportunities to students from all economic classes.
“The scenic hillside, historic classrooms and a vibrant student community are the marks of this college. The student community has been part and parcel of several students’ movements in Malabar. Once a Zamorian, you always remain a Zamorian,” Krishna Kumar, a college alumnus said.
