About | Historic Site

Project Background

Confluence North Malabar Collective is a multidisciplinary research and documentation initiative dedicated to exploring the architectural, cultural, and spiritual heritage of North Malabar, Kerala.

We focus on the region’s distinctive built environment : from timber-masonry mosques and civic and sacred spaces shaped by centuries of cultural exchange.

North Malabar lies at a historic crossroads where Arab maritime trade, Dravidian craft, Persian-Gulf connections, colonial influences, and indigenous building traditions have converged over time.

Our work centers on preserving and interpreting this living legacy of craftsmanship, faith, and community, through a combination of fieldwork, photogrammetry, archival research, and collaborative storytelling.

South Canara

Mysore

Arabian Sea

Calicut

Cochin

Mishkal Palli

Kuttichara

Hadara Palli

Jamath Palli

Mucchundi Palli

Arabian Sea

Old town of Calicut

Big Bazaar Road

Research Team

Our dedicated research team is committed to uncovering the intricate details of Malabar's mosque heritage through extensive studies and analysis.

Naeera Ali

Founder

Naeera Ali is an architect and researcher from Calicut, with ancestral roots in Kuttichira. With a Master’s degree in Adaptive Reuse from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), she has worked internationally in architecture and adaptive reuse across India, the US, UK, and Portugal. She founded Confluence to explore and document the timber-masonry mosques and plural cultural histories of North Malabar through design, research, and community collaboration.

Darshan Kukadia

Digital Design & Visualisation Lead

Darshan Kukadia is an architect and computational designer with a focus on digital technologies in design and documentation. He brings expertise in photogrammetry, 3D modelling, and interactive environments, helping translate built heritage into immersive digital experiences. At Confluence, Darshan supports spatial analysis and virtual reconstruction of historic mosques using tools like Unreal Engine, Rhino, and Blender.

Athira TP

Conservation Documentation Lead

Athira TP is a conservation architect and CWIT 2025 Scholar, currently pursuing an MSc in Digital Heritage at the University of York, with professional experience in documentation, conservation, and inclusive heritage practice.

Aqmar Samil DR

Conservation Documentation Lead

Aqmar Samil DR is a heritage conservation architect and digital documentation specialist. His work spans LiDAR–BIM integration, heritage impact assessments, and contributions to UNESCO tentative nominations, with a focus on vernacular architecture, traditional craftsmanship, and multicultural historic environments.

Past collaborator : Xequalto

The process began in 2017 with the design of the boards, focusing on text, illustrations, and drawings before physical construction. At the time, tools like photogrammetry and LiDAR scanning were far too expensive for us to incorporate. We relied on measurements, observation, and conversations. The mosque had an existing small information panel; our goal was to create layered, engaging narratives about architecture and history.

The mosque does not allow women into its interiors, so the signage became a way of sharing those spaces visually, offering interior views through drawings and illustrations, allowing forms, proportions, and details to be seen even when the space itself could not be entered.

Sometimes, the process's beauty exceeds the final product; the thinking and negotiations linger longer in memory than the built outcome. #kerala #signage #islamicarchitecture #kozhikode #kuttichara

Throwback to our first on-site project. In 2019, we collaborated with the mosque committee @ummer__pn to install interpretive signage at Mishkal Palli, marking an important milestone in our journey. This independent study at RISD was guided by Professors Markus Berger @therepairatelier and Jonathan Bell @jonathanfbell , in partnership with INTACH Calicut @intachcalicut @yathramohan the late historian M.G.S. Narayanan, and Dr Ali Faizal. Fabrication & Installation by MMD Signage, Feroke. @frk__rafi Special thanks to @taekutty for being the model. Illustrations and text by Naeera Ali @kalaction_. We’re incredibly grateful for the support that helped us take this early step. And now... something exciting is just around the corner. 🥹 #kuttichara #designkerala #kerala #kozhikode #islamicarchitecture

Visual journey across the coast depicting nearly 70 historic masjids dating from as early as the 7th century to the 19th century
, each marking centuries of community, faith, and heritage. Map created by @that_fine_grey_line, know a masjid we’ve missed or have more details?
DM us or get in touch, contributions are welcome.#Malabar #masjidsofmalabar #calicut #keralahistory #designkerala

Closer look at the Cross Section of the Interior of the Mishkal Palli showing the carved wooden Pillars, Intricate woodwork in the Mimbar and Roof structure and the Palanquin #architecture #kerala #mosque #history #designkerala

The first floor of the Mishkal Palli/Mosque has a Palanquin gifted by the Zamorin, which the Qadi used for travel. #kerala #kozhikode #architecture #mosques #history

Ground Floor Minbar Inscriptions | Mishkal Palli. Located behind the speaker’s seat (Minbar), there is a rare palimpsest of inscriptions concerning fire, rebuilding, and craftsmanship. Among the names engraved on the minbar (pulpit) are Khwaja Jamal al-din ‘Antabi, the Shah Bandar (Port Master) trusted by the Zamorin, ruler of Calicut, and the master craftsman Haji b. ‘Abd’ullah. His support for the minbar’s restoration after a devastating Portuguese fire in 1510 shows the close relationship between maritime traders and religious institutions in Malabar. The panel also contains more layered inscriptions, including a 20th-century painted one indicating its last decoration in 1408 Hijri (1987–88 CE). These overlapping records, carved and painted, reflect the palimpsest of Calicut’s multicultural history. #calicut #kerala #history #architecture #islamicarchitecture

#kerala #calicut #kozhikode #mosquesofindia #architecture

Thanks @ijaz.mohmd for the beautiful sketches ✨#kerala #calicut #architecture #islamicarchitecture #mosquesofindia voice cringe-festival 🤣

Held in the palm is a physical model and six centuries of coastal history. Mishkal Palli, a 14th-century mosque in Kozhikode, is the first stop on our journey to explore Malabar’s inclusive architectural heritage.
Crafted from thousands of photographs and point cloud data, this scaled 3D print is based on the first photogrammetry scan of the mosque in collaboration with @hobs3d and @xequalto

#mosquesofindia #architecture #heritage #kerala #malabar #conservation #risdalumni #thinkheritage #mishkalmosque #photogrammetry #history #calicut #kozhikode #indianhistory

Welcome to Confluence North Malabar: a space for documenting and celebrating the plural architectural heritage of Kerala’s Malabar Coast.
First in focus: Mishkal Palli, a 14th-century mosque that combines masonry and timber, a long-standing testament to Kozhikode's Inclusive Culture.
#malabar #kerala #photogrammetry #heritage #conservation #mishkalpalli

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@confluence_northmalabar

Objectives

Our objectives revolve around documenting, conserving, and educating the public on the historical importance and architectural beauty of Malabar's mosques.

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Conservation

By focusing on conservation efforts, we strive to protect and maintain the physical structures and cultural integrity of the mosques, ensuring their legacy for future generations.

Education

Through educational initiatives, we aim to raise awareness about the unique heritage of Malabar's mosques, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for their cultural and historical value.

Awareness

Building awareness is key to our mission, as we seek to engage the public in the rich history and architectural splendor of Malabar's mosques.