town and port, northern Kerala state, southwestern India. Located on the Arabian Sea about 25 miles (40 km) northwest of the city of Kozhikode (Calicut), Badagara is a fishing port and trade centre for pepper, copra, timber, and other products. It is served by a coastal road and a rail line. The town is also a centre of kalari, the traditional martial art form of Kerala, and it is the home of Madappalli College. Badagara is believed to be the birthplace of Thacholi Othanon, the hero of the popular Malabar ballads. Pop. (2001) town, 75,847; urban agglom., 124,083.