Kerala — Culture,
Heritage & Language
Backwaters, Ayurveda, Kathakali, Onam
Introduction
Kerala, branded 'God's Own Country', is a sliver of green between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Backwaters, spice plantations, Ayurveda, Kathakali and the harmony of Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities define the state.
Quick Facts
Capital
Thiruvananthapuram
Largest City
Thiruvananthapuram
Official Language
Malayalam
Formation Date
1 November 1956
Area
38,863 sq km
Population
35,000,000+
Region
South
Type
State
Language
Malayalam — a classical language — is official. English is widely used; Tamil, Tulu and Kannada are spoken near borders.
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Traditional Dress
Men wear mundu (white dhoti) with shirt; women wear the mundum neriyathum (off-white set saree with gold border), especially during Onam.
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Festivals
Onam — the harvest festival with Pookalam, Vallam Kali boat races and Onasadya feast — is Kerala's identity; Vishu, Thrissur Pooram, Christmas and Eid are also widely celebrated.
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Cuisine
Sadya (banana-leaf feast), Appam with Stew, Kerala Parotta, Puttu-Kadala, Karimeen Pollichathu, Malabar Biryani and a vast seafood repertoire.
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Literature
Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan (father of Malayalam), Kumaran Asan, Vallathol, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, O. V. Vijayan, M. T. Vasudevan Nair and six Jnanpith winners.
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Art Forms
Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Theyyam, Koodiyattam (UNESCO), Kalaripayattu martial art, mural painting and Kerala temple architecture.
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Historical Importance
Ancient Chera kingdom and global spice trade with Romans, Arabs, Chinese and Europeans; St. Thomas tradition; Vasco da Gama landed at Kappad in 1498; first elected communist government in 1957.
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