The culture that we follow shows our inner identity to others in a good way or in a negative way. Alike, the culture of a place portrays its greatness and prosperity to the entire world and drags everyone to explore. Such a culturally rich destination is any there means, Kerala is the one in India. It’s such a wonderful destination, which is culturally and naturally abundant.
The culture of Kerala mostly influenced by Tamil-Dravidian and Arya-Indian culture. Kerala’s unique culture can see in various arts, crafts, language, history, festivals, martial arts, dress, etc a lot. Simply it is boundless everywhere you can sense on the land of Kerala.
To witness the true and eternal cultural beauty of Kerala, you have to go through all the below-mentioned aspects of Kerala’s cultural attractions.
History
Many civilizations and rulings, influenced the culture of Kerala. Among them, the civilizations of Chera, Pandya, and Chola had shown great impact. Coming to the history of Kerala, some mythological stories says that Kerala was formed by Bhagwan Parashuram, who is the 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. When he threw axe into the sea from Kanyakumari it was dropped near Gokarna, then the land separated from the ocean and formed into Kerala.
To look into the history of Kerala, many museums and cultural houses will entertain you with their wonderful art facts and historical remants. Moreover, visiting the historical monuments of Kerala will take you very close to the times of Kerala’s back days.
Ethnicity
Anywhere in this world, people belong to different religions, races, and communities will live together. It makes people live in different cultures and religions. Keralites mostly speak Malayalam but a few will speak different languages too. Even though Kerala is home to Malayalis, different ethnic groups people will also live here. Due to migrations, many people getting shelter in Kerala. Tamilians, Tulus, Kannada, Konkanis, Mahls, Gujaratis, Bengalis, and Sikhs different ethnic people live in Kerala at different parts. However, Malayalis are the greater population.
Arts and Crafts
Kerala is the name for its exquisite and unique arts and crafts knowledge. Throughout South India, here you can find the best-ever arts and handicrafts products. The products from the Viswakarma community are the best crafts to see the beauty of Kerala’s people’s brilliance in arts.
Temple idols, teapots, brass-inlay, bells, crafted lamps, metal statues, attractive minute figurines on woods, and so on various handicrafts available in Kerala attracts us a lot. When it comes to wooden carvings and coir products, coconut ashtrays, mats, purses, caskets, and carvings on rosewood and sandalwood, etc are the best examples of Kerala craftsmanship.
Occupation
From many years ago, Kerala people mostly depended on agricultural activities. Particularly, Hill stations of Kerala are wonderful places for tea and rubber plantations. In Kerala, people mostly cultivate coconut, cinnamon, paddy, ginger, nutmeg, cashew, cassava, and pepper, etc.
Apart from agriculture, people here used to find occupation in fishing and animal husbandry. The backwaters of Kerala are home to varied species of fishes so fishing is also a good occupation. In literacy rate also, Kerala scores well that’s why many talented young students are reaching greater heights. Overall, Kerala is well-sufficient place with good opportunities to lead a good economical life.
Architecture
Various temples and historical monuments in Kerala will stand as iconic attractions for their beautiful and unique architectural styles. In Kerala, the Dravidian style of architectural constructions can be seen in greater numbers. Other than it, different architectural styles influenced by Buddhism, Harappan civilizations, Vedic, can be seen.
Every historic structure and construction of Kerala follow Vastu Shastra. Temples in Kerala significantly follows this architectural science. The two architecture principles know as Thantra-Samuchayam and Sliparatnam play a vital role in the temple’s construction. These type of architecture principles makes entire temple resounds with great positive energy eliminating negative energy. Kerala’s architecture perfectly shows brilliance with science combination.
Music
Music is a great carrier of sustaining cultures and traditions. In Kerala, there is a great prominence for music, which enriches the culture of Kerala. Carnatic classical and Sopana Sangeetham are the best musical forms to enjoy in many festivals of Kerala. During festivals and everyday temple ceremonies, you can experience different musical forms of Kerala.
In temples, Melam is the best music form. It will be played with full of drum beats, listen to be very energetic. Pulluvan pattu folk music, Ottanthullal songs, Kathakali music, church choir, Mappila songs, etc are some of the famous music specials of Kerala. Different musical forms and songs of Kerala will take you to a serene world with their melodious tones.
Dance
In India, Kerala is one of the best-known places for its various dance forms. The state is well-known for its 50 different dance styles. In many dance forms, Kerala’s rich culture in the form of attires and gripping performances attracts the people. Through various cultural dances, the historic tales of warriors, folk heroes, mythological stories will be performed magnificently. They are the center of attraction to Kerala dance forms.
Kathakali and Mohiniyattom are the two major dance forms of Kerala. People who visit Kerala never miss witnessing these dance forms. Chavittunatakom, Oppana, Theyyam, Ottamthullal, Krishnanattom, etc are the other famous dance forms.
Literature
Malayalam is the mother tongue to Kerala people and it’s the literature of the state. The literature of Malayalam was found between the 13th and 14th centuries period of time. Manipravalam poetry, champus, and Sandeshakavyas are significant examples of Malayalam literature. It is said to be the poets Madhava Panikkar, Sankara Panikkar, and Rama Panikkar pioneers of Malayalam literature at the beginning days. Later many notable poets Perumbatavam Sreedharan, Kumaran Asan, Ulloor S. Parameswaram Iyer, Vallathol Narayana, P.Bhaskaran, and M.T Vasudevan Nair contributed a lot for the rise of Malayalam.
Folklore
Folklore means it is like an expression act narrating great stories, traditional beliefs, rituals, customs, in the form of songs or dances. It’s like a way of communication between common people in the times of rulings. Especially, in agricultural fields during works of harvesting, sowing, planting, you can see people enjoying the folk songs.
Theyyam, Padayani, Mudiyettu, Malavayiyattam, Nira, Puthari, etc are some of the famous ritual folklore of Kerala. All these ritual folklore will be conducted when the dates were decided by Kolathiris only. Still today this folklore will be organized by Kolathiris.
Festivals
Festivals are like the reflectors of rich cultures and traditions. In Kerala, when the festivals are ahead means, everything will be turned into colorfully and the whole state looks charming and beautiful. During festivals, you can see the true Kerala with rich cultural sights.
As usual, Kerala is home to numerous festivals. Among them, Onam and Vishu are the major festivals. At the time of these festivals, Kerala people seem to be very joyous with full of celebrations. Next, Thrikarthika, Christmas, Deepavali, Easter, Eid-ul-Fitr, Attukal Pongal, Thrissur Pooram, etc are the other famous festivals. Apart from all these, the Boat race festivals of Kerala has a separate fan base throughout India.
Cuisine
For foodies, Kerala is a perfect destination to enjoy a wide range of all food varieties. Kerala is familiarly known as the “Land of Spices”, here all different spices available. That’s why the food here is very crispy and spicy. Without using chilies, mustard seeds, turmeric powder, tamarind, asafoetida, curry leaves, Kerala cuisines seem to be very rare.
As we are very well-known, everywhere we can find coconut trees in Kerala and most of the cuisines also be prepared with coconut oil and milk. They taste very fine and different. For Non-Vegetarian specials also, we don’t need to worry. Fish curries of Kerala are famous all over India. Here you can enjoy the best-ever fish cuisines. Overall, Veg and Non-Veg cuisines of Kerala make everyone relish in awe!!
Also Read : What to Eat in Kerala
Modern Society
Modern days shows a great influence on the lives of people. In the same way, the modern days had brought drastic changes in Kerala compared to many other states in India. The great thing is the state has the highest literacy rate all over India and the state follows a balanced sex ratio of 1084 women per 1000 men (As per the census of 2011). Also, the state records the highest Human Development Index and the lowest positive population growth.
With all the holding good records, the state is good at adopting all-new modern techniques in agriculture farming too. In all possible ways, Kerala is doing great to maintain modern standards with sustainable development.
Language
Malayalam is the most spoken language in Kerala because it’s their mother tongue. Other than it, English and Hindi are the other popular languages you came through.
People
In Kerala, you can experience the feeling “Unity in Diversity”. Here people belong to different communities, religions, and races but they live together happily. Keralites are very friendly with people from outside the state. They are always very helpful and generous with travelers.
Here you can see numerous people belongs to Tulu, Tamil, Telugu Konkani, Kannada, Gujarati, Jews, and Sikhs communities. But in the majority, Malayalis stands first.
Dressing style
During festivals, we can see Keralites in traditional attires, which looks very beautiful and authentic. Here women used to wear saris and blouses. Especially during festivals and occasions, they used to wear Kasavu. Men used to wear “Mundu”, in an understandable language it’s like a dhoti or lungi. These are the traditional and regional dressing styles of Keralites. The unique thing about Keralite’s traditional dressing is they always used to wear white Kasuvus or Mundus.
Apart from traditional attires, the young and dynamic youth of Kerala can be seen in western wear. It is common because everything is globalized.
Ayurveda
All over India, Kerala is well-known for Ayurvedic treatments. Here you can find exact treatment for many unsolved diseases. Kerala is home to many medicinal plants and herbs that’s why Ayurvedic treatments available here are very powerful. You will definitely find solution for your health issue. In addition to all these, the climate of Kerala with a high level of water vapors in the atmosphere creates a suitable environment for the treatment.
Particularly for Ayurvedic treatments, many resorts are established very close to nature and far away to human interventions. At these places, you can rejuvenate your body and soul with Ayurvedic treatments.
Adventure
Those who want to dwell in adventure, Kerala is also a good destination. Not for many intense actions but for easy and funny adventures you can take part in Kerala. Water sports are the must-do adventure activities in Kerala. The backwaters and beaches of Kerala make you enjoy many water sports such as boating, kayaking, bamboo rafting, etc.
If anyone wants to enjoy some extreme adventure activities means, Paragliding will suppress your adventure hunger. Mountain climbing, wildlife safaris, camping, trekking are some of the funny things to enjoy the tourism of Kerala.
Martial Arts
Kalaripayattu is the famous martial art of Kerala and it is used to call as the “Pride of Kerala”. This martial art is recognized as the oldest martial art form in the whole world. It is a combination of science and Ayurvedic medicine. From many past years ago, this martial art was practicing in Kerala. This martial art made Kerala’s name popular all over the world.
Sports
The major popular sports in Kerala are Football, Cricket, Badminton, Kabaddi, and Volleyball. The state houses international stadium too, it is Trivandrum International Stadium. Apart from all sports, Football is very popular. Many football players represented the Indian Football team from Kerala. Notably, V.P Satyan was worked as the captain to Indian Football team and I.M. Vijayan is another famous player from Kerala.
For water sports, Kerala is the best-known destination. Catamaran sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, etc are the popular water sports play in Kerala. Especially, for Boat races, Kerala is well-known worldwide.
Tourism
For Kerala, tourism is like a backbone. The state with all-natural wonders, cultural and heritage sites, attracts a large number of tourists from all over India and the world too. The pleasing atmosphere of Kerala backwaters, beaches, and refreshing hill stations excites travelers to enjoy the beauty of God’s own country. The subtitle it got derived signifies its extreme wealth in tourism.
It’s all about the cultural beauty of Kerala. In a few words, culture is a blend of all the things mentioned above. To get in touch with the true culture of Kerala, then you have to explore the beauty of Kerala.