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| Kerala Map |
Though Kerala has a history dating back to the Christian era, the modern Kerala was created in 1956 when all the states were reorganized along linguistic lines.
Kerala is different from the rest of the India in many ways. History was created in 1957 when Kerala became the first state in the world to democratically elect a Marxist government.
The state has a strong presence of left ideology. It has the highest literacy rate in the country, lowest infant mortality rate and the highest female to male population ratio. These facts speak volume of the state which is often compared to the society of the developed western countries.
Kerala is made up of fourteen districts. Each of them has a distinct character. Thiruvananthapuram (also known as Trivandrum) is the capital of Kerala, famous for its Kovalam beach (rated one of the top ten beaches of the world).
Kerala - Facts
Below is a table representing important facts about Kerala
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Society and Culture
With its 29 million people, Kerala is India's most advanced society in terms of education, literacy and health. In fact, Kerala has the highest physical Quality of Life Index too. The age old wanderlust of the people of Kerala has taken them to virtually every nation on the face of this earth. The culture of Malayalis has a flavor of its own, though it is a part of an Indian and the Dravidian culture. This has been the product of the peculiar geographical feature of Kerala. Bounded on the east by the Western Ghats and the west by the Arabian sea, it had long periods of insular existence. This has resulted in the distinctiveness of their language, dress, culture and institutions.
Kerala is a melting pot where several ethnic and religious groups mingle. In spite of the rigidity of the caste system, Kerala seems to have been exceptionally hospitable to people of different beliefs. It has a rare record of having welcomed with open arms migrants of all religious convictions. The kings of Travavncore and Kochi and the Zamorin of Malabar have all extended their hospitality and acceptance. In the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, one could see a Hindu temple next to a mosque and a cathedral. Religious discrimination was never practiced by the ancient rulers of Kerala. Patronage was distributed not only to the Hindus, but also to the Christians, the Jews and the Muslims.
History of Kerala
The modern day culture of Kerala is due to the influence of several cultures and dynasties that came from different corners of the world and settled down in the state. The Muslims of Kerala are the descendents of the Arab traders who came to Kerala and married locally and finally settled down here. The Arabs, who landed here after the Jewish men, brought the first wave of Muslims settlers. They were the first peoples to build the first Mosque in this sub-continent at Kodungallur. They concentrated in the Malabar area and up to the 18th century they were mostly agricultural laborers, petty traders and soldiers in the Zamorin army. The agriculturists in Malabar were oppressed under a system of land tenure in which the landlord had a strangle hold on them. They were accused of throwing their lot with Hyder Ali and Tippu during their invasions. There were forced conversions and selective liquidations also. After the British restored peace, the Hindus who suffered started taking it out on the Muslims. Since the land mostly belonged to the Hindus, there were peasant uprisings, which gradually got a communal tinge, which was later termed as Mopilah rebellion of 1921. Subsequently, It gained momentum and developed into a peasant revolt- the peasants were Muslims and the land lords were Hindus, among whom the Namboodiris were predominant. The British ruthlessly put down the revolt.
After the British take over in the late 18th century, English language assumed importance. This brought about a tremendous impact upon the life and culture of the Keralites. In this respect, Kerala owes a great deal to the Christian Missionaries. They not only educated the people but also introduced health-care programs. They were careful not to disturb the majority community and easily blended into the Kerala culture. Latin was replaced by Malayalm for Church services, and the traditional Kerala nilavilakku was brought in replacing candles and they wholeheartedly participated in the Hindu festivities. Thus they enriched Kerala's ethnic culture.
Intermingling with the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British lead to the creation of a Eurasian Community. Most of them are Latin Christians and their culture is distinctly different from the traditional Kerala culture. There were infiltrations from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka too and so also people from different castes like Gujaratis and Marwaris, Konkanis, the Gowda Saraswat Brahmins, Shenoys, Parsis, Kudumbis etc. No wonder Swamy Vivekananda called Kerala a lunatic asylum of castes. Historian's point out that even during the Sangam period, there were no strict divisions based on castes. Caste consciousness and untouchability came much later and it is also difficult to pin point the antiquity of any of the original races now in Kerala. The transformation into a cosmopolitan and egalitarian society was comparatively quick. The inherent tolerance and resilience of all original classes ensured a peaceful reformation. The gradual fusion of various groups has brought about a superficial uniformity in the state. .
Economy and Infrastructure
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| Kerala Industrial Map |
Kerala is well connected to the rest of the country by air road and rail. Kerala has a very well established infrastructure with a total network of motor able roads of about 145704 km. The length of its National Highways is 1525.570 km and railways account to 1148 km.
Art and Festivals in Kerala
Kathakali is the most refined, most scientific and elaborately defined dance form of Kerala. It is a very exciting art form demanding not only complete control of practically every fiber of the artiste. body, but also intense sensitivity of emotion. It had its origin in the courts of the Kings of Kerala. It is considered to be a synthetic art form combining in itself the rudiments of its earlier forms like Krshnanattam and Ramanattam with a highly scientific dance drama form. It is not folk, but highly classical.
Kalaripayattu is the traditional 11th century martial art form of Kerala. It is said to be the forerunner of oriental martial arts like kung-fu and karate. It follows a system as specialised and as intricate as the Ju-jitsu of the Japanese.
Kalaripayattu training aims at the ultimate co-ordination of mind and body. The traditional training in a Kalari includes specialisation in indigenous medical practices too. Kalaris are also centres of religious worship. The general guidelines to be followed in Kalaripayattu demand that once the course is complete, a person should undergo oil massage and engage in the practice of the feats at least once a year. This will help him to keep in shape and to easily overcome enemy attacks.
Pooram is the great elephant pageant typical of certain temples in Kerala. Bejewelled tuskers numbering ten to hundred, line up for this exotic spectacle with mahouts sitting atop them carrying muthukuda(tinse covered silk parasols) and swaying the venchamaram (white tufts). The pageant is accompanied by the panchavadyam which gradually works up to a crescendo. The most fascinating aspect of the pooram is the Kudamattom ritual, the ceremonial synchronised changing of the colourful parasols held aloft the elephants.
Theyyam is one of the most outstanding ancient dance form of Kerala. It has its origin in the northern parts of the state. It is a very fascinating ritual practised for centuries by the tribal people and the villagers of Northern Kerala. This folk art form is also called Thirayattam, because every thira or village performed this ritualistic art at the village temple. The Theyyam or Kolam (a form or shape), represents a mythological, divine or heroic character. There are over 350 Theyyams in northern Kerala.
It is a dance form glorifying the Theyyam, the local deity, who is believed to bless and arbitrate between the farmers and their landlords. This primitive ritualistic art demands long hours of preparation before the performance. The bizarre head dresses, costumes and body painting and trance like performances are very extraordinary. Each one has a distinguishing headgear and costume made out of natural materials like leaves and bark. Musical accompaniments are chenda and veekuchenda (drums), elathalam and kuzhal (horn). Theyyam is always performed by men. Female roles are also enacted by men wearing suitable makeup and colourful costumes.
During the festival season between January and April, Theyyam performances can be seen in the villages in the erst-while Malabar region, especially in the Kannur District. There are regular Theyyam performances at Sri Muthappan Temple in Parassinikadavu, which is some 20 km north-east of Kannur town.
Bharathanatyam Centuries old dance form performed throughout India, enriched by Kerala's own legendary dance performers. This dance form was first conceived and authored by the great sage Bharatha.So is called Bharathanatya. 'Natya' means dance.
Christmas, December 25, is also a major festival in Kerala. Streamers, bunting and bright lights adorn shops but, most typical, are the illuminated stars that distinguish the many Christian houses in Kerala. These, twinkling against the dark groves and reflected in its flowing waters, make for an unusual, but very warm, Christmas image.
In the last week of February, the river town of Aluva plays host to the great Maha Sivarathri festival. Devotees gather on the sand-banks of the Pamba River and, illuminated by hundreds of little oil lamps, spend the whole night in fasting and meditation. In the small hours of the morning they plunge into the river, accompanied by full-throated chants, and then emerge to offer prayers and sacrifices in memory of the dead. The fair which grows around this festival is popular with people of all persuasions.
When the monsoon ends in Kerala, it celebrates its post harvest festival ofOnam According to legends it also marks the annual return of the benign King Mahabali from his exile in the underworld.
Tourism of Kerala
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Periyar wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkadi in Idukki district is another attraction. Sabarimala, abode of lord Ayyappan is a famous pilgrim center in Pathanamthitta District.
Kochi- the major port of Kerala- is known as the queen of the Arabian Sea. . The beautiful Willingdon Island with the adjoining port is a great attraction. Kalady is the birthplace of Shri Sankaracharya. Guruvayur has the famous Lord Krishna Shrine. Kalamandalam, the renowned Kathakali centre is in Thrissur District. Calicut is historically important as the capital of the Zamorins. Edakal cave in the Wyanad district centuries old.
A National Geographic Society publication has listed Kerala among the world's 50 greatest places of a lifetime.
Hotels of Kerala
Kerala is home to both star and non star category hotels. Abounding in natural beauty Kerala is known as God's Own Country. Thronged by tourists both domestic and foreign Kerala is one of the most frequented tourist's destinations in India. The hotels in Kerala are equipped with the latest amenities of luxury and cater to all tastes and pockets.
Last Updated on : 12 December 2012
