Set amidst coconut trees,backwaters and a group of islands is Kerala's first theme village 'Oyster Opera,' which is drawing tourists who crave for an experience truly natural and rustic.

One man's passion to provide a better livelihood to his fellow villagers, has now culminated in the resort at Padanna in northernmost Kasaragod district.

Managing Director of the theme village Gul Mohammed said he hit upon the idea to start the village with Oyster farming as its theme in an effort to transform the lives of his fellow villagers.

Mohammed, who began growing green mussels on Coir using the technology offered by the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), introduced it in his coastal village of Padanna and four other neighbouring villages. Tourists can see how mussels and oysters are caught by diving into the waters and have them fresh and uncooked if they so desire.

Eighteen mussel and oyster farmers, including 15 women, have undergone training in housekeeping and cooking and are working at the resort. When there are no guests, they are back as mussel and oyster farmers.

Facilities at the cottages reflect the cultural and traditional traits of the local people. Modern day comforts of television and fridge are not provided here. There were only earthern lamps earlier, but due to the difficulty experience by guests, electricity was introduced recently.

Five cottages - all made of natural products were built last year. No nails and cement were used to build them, he says. Tourists are taken on backwater cruises in houseboats and country craft, they can feel the sun at the Valliyaparambu beach and estuary or opt for rejuvenation therapy by traditional practitioners of Ayurveda or a boat ride through the river Tejaswini.

The historic Bekal fort, the famous Parasinikadavu temple are also nearby. An uninhabited island here, is where late CPI(M) leaders A K Gopalan, E M S Namboodiripad, E K Nayanar had gone into hiding during the liberation struggle.

"Foreign tourists love to eat uncooked oysters and mussels fresh from the water, he says. Most of the daily catch is taken to Kannur, Kozhikode, Thrissur and Ernakulam, from where there are sent to Gulf and European markets," Mohammed says.

During 2006-07, about 7000 tonnes to mussels and oysters were produced here while in 2007-08 production went up to 13,000 tonnes. The price has also gone up from Rs 9 per kg to Rs 19 per kg, he says.

Mohammed said authentic Malabar food is served to the visitors and 'Pola', a delicacy consumed during the fasting Ramzan season, is among the biggest draws.It takes five days to prepare it by fermenting coconut water and cooking it with raw rice paste. 'Pathiri', varieties if fish curries, mussels, oysters, clams and different varieties of fishes are prepared for the guests.

Spread over 6.5 acres of land, Mohammed says his aim was to have 200 days occupancy in the resort. About 20 per cent of it has been achieved in the first year itself. About 200 guests, mostly from Mangalore, Baroda, Punjab, and some from abraod have been their guests, he said.

There are also plans to increase mussel farming to a wider area and to tie up with retail stores for the supply of the products grown here. he added.

The resort and Mussel and oyster farming has completely transformed this little known remote village. Demand for seafood products has gone up and it has also provided a better standard of living to his people, he says with pride.