People of Kerala
Kerala has a total population of about 32 million people, of which about 23 million is the count of rural population. What is astonishing is that despite more than 70 % of the population living in villages, Kerala is the first state in India to have achieved a 100% literacy level. This fact speaks laurels about the progressive thinking of the people of Kerala. This is also seen in the female/male ratio of the state. The people of Kerala are relatively untouched by evils such as Female Infanticide, Sex Selective Abortions and Fatal Daughter Syndrome. The society, unlike the rest of India is matriarchal, not patriarchal. Women enjoy many rights often denied to the fairer sex elsewhere in India. Women in traditional Kerala enjoyed a right to property, residence, education and most importantly the right to choose their husband.
The original natives of the land were Dravdians. However Aryan invasions from the North brought about an admixture of the races. More on the Ethnicity of the people of Kerala.
In the medieval period i.e. after the 12th century, there was a sharp rise in the caste distinction. The Brahmins or Namboodiris were an elite class and enjoyed many privileges over the others. The hierarchy was such that after the Namboodiris came the Kshatriyas, the Samanthans, the Ambalavasis and the Nairs. These were the Royals and the feudal families. Then came the out castes such as the Kamallans, The Ezhavas, the Pulayans the Kadar etc. Due to severe caste oppression a huge number converted to Christianity and Islam. The striking feature of current day Kerala is the communal harmony and sense of brotherhood of the state. Communal violence is almost unknown and unheard of. In all even though the caste system still exists in most of Kerala, the distinction is getting fainter and fainter. The people have evolved to be a peace loving, growth oriented race. To know more about the religion of the people of Kerala, read the following section-
Religion of the People of Kerala : The traditional attire of the Malayali is the Sari or Saree, a 6 meter long cloth, gracefully draped round the woman and the Mundu, a long cloth worn around the waist by men. The younger generation are however given to wearing cloths in trends that influence both the country and globally.
The languages mainly spoken are Malayalam and English. For more information read the following section
Languages of Kerala : Large extended families live together under the same roof, share their work, resources, sorrow and cheer. Nowadays, however it is a trend with the younger, educated generation to work abroad. An estimated 2.5 million Malayalis live in the Gulf countries and about 20% of the software professionals in the USA are from Kerala. But even to the members of the younger generation, family and blood ties are surmount. Festivals are a time for family reunion. Those abroad try to make it home at least during Onam, the New Year or Vishu, another Festival. The lifestyle of the modern Malayali is a unique combination of traditional values and a progressive mindset. On the one hand, the Malayali may be eloquent in English, highly educated and keep pace with the current fashion trends and on the other he may be holding the traditional 45 day fast, walking barefoot and sleeping on a straw mat in order to undertake the annual pilgrimage to the shrine at Sabarimala. Therein lies the beauty of the culture and the success of education. The former is too beautiful to let go and the later makes a person innovative and forward-looking.
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