This study analyzed the multiple meanings and identities of Thekkinkadu, a space within the urban core of Thrissur. Drawing on data from fieldwork and secondary sources, this study explores the social memory and daily conversations surrounding Thekkinkadu and the various narratives that have contributed to its diverse meanings and transformations over time. One key concept used in the study is 'publicness', explored concerning Thekkinkadu. This 'publicness' of Thekkinkadu is in constant negotiations between the authorities (state, sociocultural/religious organizations) and the common populous. Moreover, these folks are trying to claim the spaces (place-making) through daily interactions and constructing their narratives on Thekkinkadu. Rather than a physical space, publicness is understood here as a temporal process reflecting a particular moment's identities and meanings. This understanding helps to shed light on how Thekkinkadu has been shaped by its interactions with broader social, cultural, and political contexts. The study involves a combination of ethnographic mapping and narrative analysis. Ethnographic mapping plots the narratives and collective memories of Thekkinkadu onto physical spaces, allowing for a deeper understanding of how human stories have contributed to its spatial reconfigurations over time. The narrative analysis examines the narratives and sources used to understand Thekkinkadu's identities, including histories, memoirs, news reports, myths, people's stories, collective memories, and experiences. By mapping these narratives onto physical spaces within Thekkinkadu, the study offers insights into how human stories have contributed to their spatial reconfigurations over time. It highlights the importance of understanding spaces not just in terms of their physical characteristics but also in their social and cultural contexts.
