58th Birth Anniversary of Kerala

Kerala better known as 'Gods own country' is located at the extreme tip of Indian subcontinent and has a vivid history of its own. It was born on Nov 1^st of 1956 as a result of State Reorganisation Act by the Government of India. It was a major reform of the boundaries of India's states and territories organizing them along linguistic lines. Till then it was three distinctive areas namely 'Malabar', 'Travancore' and 'Cochin'.

History of the state begins from The Chera dynasty which was the first powerful kingdom based in Kerala. During the Chera period, Kerala remained an international spice trading center. Later, in the 15th century, the lucrative spice trade attracted Portuguese traders to Kerala, and eventually paved the way for the European colonization of India.

The culture of the state traces its roots from 3rd century. It is a synthesis of Aryan and Dravidian cultures, developed over centuries under influences from other parts of India and abroad.

Three contradictory facts behind the name of ‘Kerala’ is that it was derived from ‘Kera’ (coconuts) so ‘Keralam’ means land of coconuts and then some people say Kerala got the name after its first ruler 'Keralian Thamboran' who ruled one of the independent provinces among Malabar, Cochin and Travancore, earlier in this millennium and there is this group of people who say ‘Kerala’ according to history was derived from the word ‘Cheral’ that refers to the Chera dynasty. (“Cheral” is a proto-Tamil-Malayalam word for ‘lake’)

Furthermore when we dig the past, Hindu mythology explains us that Kerala was formerly known as ‘Parashurama kshetram’ (Land of Parashurama) as he formed the land area from the sea to gift the Brahmin head-priests who performed the Yagya Kashyapa. The story happens between the Treta and Dwapara Yugas according to the first book of Mahabharata.

Parushurama- the unique sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu was angry on the kshatriyas as they didn’t keep their word after the Ashvamedha sacrifice and went around the world beheading every single male kshatriyas with his mighty axe ('mazhu') that he had got as a present from Lord Shiva (to liberate the Mother Earth from felons, ill-behaved people, extremists, demons and those blind with pride) for his extreme devotion & perpetual meditation who later on turned out to be his Guru in martial arts. He then flung his 'mazhu' from 'Goakaranam' (Gokarna) into the sea and the sea receded to form the land 'Keralam'.

CURRENT SCENARIO:

Kerala is a state in India which stands out when it comes to the variety of topography at a stretch of 38,863 km² and the language ‘Malayalam’ spoken in 12+ different slang among the fourteen districts. Kerala is the most searched Indian destination and ranks third in the foreign tourism list of most visited places in India because of its aesthetic beauty stretching from Arabian sea costs to the continuous mountain range of the western Ghats The state is a fine blend of the classic and the contemporary, offering a wonderful kaleidoscope of fascinating history, rich culture, unique architecture, interesting customs and more. Its intricately woven tapestry is made up of picturesque hill stations, meandering lagoons, jungle waterfalls, rejuvenating ayurvedic tourism, spicy sea food, exotic wildlife, vibrant art forms, dynamic boat races, sacred pilgrimage places and so on.

Venice of the East- Alleppey, Kerala

Queen of Arabian Sea- Cochin, Kerala

Kerala has the highest rates in India in terms of Literacy (98.9%), HDI (0.790), Life expectancy (77years), sex ratio (1084 women per 1000 men) and has the lowest rate in population growth (3.44%). Another two highlights of Kerala is that it is ranked as the least corrupt state in the country and it is a state in India with highest exposure to media with its newspapers published in nine different languages.

Highlights of Kerala:

·         Agriculture production mainly coconut, tea, coffee, cashew and spices with pepper and natural rubber contributing to a significant portion of the total national output.

*'Karimeen'- the state fish of Kerala.

·         Snake boat race, the “Chundan vallam”, the “Vallapaatu” and the “Vallasadhya”

·         The 'sadhya' (Banquet) which normally has 24-25 dishes (can go up to 64) served on a banana leaf.

·         Festivals like Onam and Vishu.

·         ‘Malayali manga’ (Typical Malayali girl)

A malayali style of dressing which means:

1. To wear either of the three 'mundum-neriyathum' (Kerala Saree), a 'dhavani'(lengthy skirt, short blouse and a long shawl) or a 'pattupavada' (Long skirt with a lengthy blouse which has thick kasavu border)

2. Tie your hair into 'pulipinnal' which is better known as Kerala hair style.(leaving half hair open).

3. A 'Chandana kuri' (a mark of sandal wood paste on your forehead).

4. Hands filled with 'kuppiwala' (glass bangles).

5. Eyes outlined with a thick layer of 'Kanmashi' (Kajal).

6. A Big red 'pottu' (Bindi) on forehead is the trade mark of a Keralite rather Indians actually.

7. Last but not the least 'mullapoovu' (Jasmine bead tied togather on a thread) on the hair.

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•     Temple festivals of Kerala are another unique experience, among which Guruvayur Ekadeshi at Guruvayur SreeKrishna Temple and ‘Trissur Pooram’ at the ‘Vadukunnathan Kshetram’ stands out as a highlight where people celebrate pooram without any hindrance of religion. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month of ‘medam’ when the moon rises with the Pooram star by 10 temples forming two groups say eastern and western lead by ‘Paramelkavu Temple’ and ‘Thiruvambady Temple’. The golden elephant caparison (Nettipattam), elephant accoutrements (Chamayam), ornamental fan made of peacock feathers (Aalavattom), royal fan (Venchamarom), sacred bells and decorative umbrellas are the main features of Trissur Pooram . Fire works of Trissur Pooram is very famous and I guess I need not mention more about it. 

Guruvayoor Ekadeshi 'Chuttuvilakku' 

Trissur Pooram

Crowd at Trissur Pooram, In this picture you can see the display of caparisons by both the lands.(groups)

Fun Facts about Kerala:

·         The ‘Gulf malayalis’ since recent census proved that every house in Kerala would have at least one member of the family in the ‘gulf’.

·         They say when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon he found a malayali selling tea, Again a funny fact that Keralites are spread all across the nook and corner of this world that wherever you go you would find at least one.

Kerala is also well known for its diverse forms of Performing arts. A list of art forms segregated according to the communities in Kerala are the following:

Hindu Arts

·         Kathakali

·         Chakyar Koothu

·         Nangiar Koothu

·         Mohiniyattam

·         Theyyam

·         Padayani

·         Theeyaattam (Thiyyattu)

·         Koodiyattam

·         Kerala Natanam

·         Panchavadyam

·         Thullal

·         Tholpavakoothu

·         Ottamthullal

·         Garudan Thookkam

·         Kolam Thullal

·         Poorakkali

·         Mudiyett

·         Kummattikali

·         Kuthiyottam

·         Thiriyuzhichil

·         Kalaripayattu

·         Mangalamkali

·         Marathukali

·         Malayikuthu

·         Mukkanchathan

·         Charadupinnikkali

·         Kothammuriyattam

·         Sopanam

·         Thacholikali

·         Sarpam Thullal 

·         Pulluvan Paattu

·         Poothan and Thira

·         Yakshagana in Kasaragod

·         Kanyar kali in northern Palakkad district

·         Purattu Nadakam in Palakkad district

·         Pavakoothu

·         kaalakali

Muslim Arts

·         Oppana

·         Mappila Paattu

·         Kolkali

·         Duff Muttu

·         Arabana muttu

Christian Arts

·         Margam Kali

·         Chavittu Nadakam
·         Parichamuttukali

Chakyar Koothu

Kathakali- Most famous art form of Kerala

Thiruvathirakali- One of the two famous dance forms in Kerala

Mohiniyattam- The main dance form of Kerala

Traditional Sadhya served on a banana leaf.

Theyyam- A Hindu Art form, performed at temples.

Snake Boat(Chundan vallam) during a race

Temple Architechture in Kerala.

Traditional Architecture- 'Naalukettu'

Traditional Kerala Architecture-'Arayum Nilayum'

Traditional Architecture of tile roof & 'Chaarupadi'

Traditional 'Thulasi Thara' which is placed in front of the house at the entrance.