The National Geographic Traveler has quoted Kerala as India’s most verdant state with one of the world’s 50 “must see” destinations. “The god who made Kerala had a green thumb”, true to the popular Malayali saying, Kerala’s rich resources have long attracted visitors from across the oceans. It is in fact here that the first seafarers set foot on Indian soil.
Legend has it that long before Vasco Da Gama discovered India, when he landed on the coast of Kerala, King Solomon's ships traded off the Malabar coast between 972 and 932 B.C., followed by the Phoenicians, Romans, Christians, Arabs, and Chinese. They all came to stock up on monkeys, tigers, parrots, timber, sandalwood, and ivory along with the abundance of spices.
Kerala is sandwiched between the Lakshadweep Sea and the forested Western Ghats that define its border with Tamil Nadu to the east. In 1956, the state of Kerala was formed from the former princely states of Travancore, Kochi, and Malabar. Despite its high population density, Keralites have the country's highest life expectancy and the lowest infant mortality rates. As it was largely ruled by benevolent Maharajas who introduced social reforms emphasizing the provision of education and basic services, Kerala remains one of the most progressed and educated states in India. In those days, Kerala was more caste-divided than any other area. It was only in this region that untouchability was highly predominant. But today, it is one of the least caste-conscious and communally tranquil areas of India.
Kerala has a high percentage (22%) of Christians whose traditions go back to St. Thomas the Apostle. Another cultural rarity can be seen in the white Jews of Cochin. The first democratically elected Communist Party came to power in Kerala for the first time in the whole world.
The state capital is Thiruvananthapuram. Being a land of spices, realm of Ayurveda, heart-throbbing sceneries, exciting array of dances, Kerala is a microcosm of multi-religious India, co-habited by the Hindus, the Christians and the Muslims.
Malabar & Kerala
The word Malabar was first used by Al-Biruni (973-1048 A.D.). The Arab writers are believed to have derived Malabar from the word mala (hill) as mentioned by the Cosmas Indicopleustus of 6th century. He refers to the Kerala Coast as male and varam (country). The medieval Tamil writers called the land as malainadu meaning the land of hills.
The word Keralam is found in the Ashoka inscriptions of the third century B.C. It is formed from Chera (the Kera/Chera people) and alam (land) meaning "the land of Cheras."
The second rock-edict of Ashoka refers to "Keralaputra" along with the Cholas, Pandyas, and Satyaputra as the border kingdoms of the Maurya Empire.
In the first century A.D., the Roman historian Pliny refers Kerala as Caelobrothas and the author of Periplus of the Erithryan Sea mentions it as Cerobothra. The 2nd century geographer Ptolemy called Kerala as Kerobothro.
The History of Kerala
Man came late to Kerala and there are no authentic Neolithic implement discovered in Kerala. It is believed that the Stone-Age people deliberately avoided the forests of Kerala infested by Malaria-bearing mosquitoes and man-eating tigers.
The appearance of mankind in Kerala dates back to Iron-Age with the evidence of Megaliths or huge burial stones carved by iron implements, scattered all along the ghats of Wynad in the north to Trivandrum in the south.
According to Sir Mortimer Wheeler and many historians, the megalith culture was introduced into Kerala between 300 B.C. and 50 A.D.
The legend says that Parasurama, atoned for the crime of his massacring of the Kshatriyas by doing penance for years. To protect the Brahmins from the encroachments of their enemies, Parasurama decided to create some land and donate it to the Brahmins. Accordingly, he threw his battle axe.
The weapon fell in Kanyakumari making the sea between Gokarnam and Kanyakumari a dryland which he gave to the Brahmins.
The first recorded history of Kerala appears in the inscriptions of the Mauryan Emperor, Ashoka. In his inscription, Ashoka refers to four independent kingdoms that lay to the south of his empire. They were the kingdoms of the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Keralaputras and the Satiyaputras. Among them, the Keralaputras or the Cheras, as they were called, reigned over Malabar, Cochin and North Travancore. These kings managed to maintain their independence and were on good terms with the Great Maurya.
It is only in the Sangam Age that the history of Kerala emerges from myths and legends. The Sangam Age witnessed three political powers ruling the area which now constitutes the State of Kerala. They were the Ays in the south, the Cheras in Central Kerala and the Ezhimalas in the north.
The Ays established a kingdom which extended from Tiruvalla in the north to Nagercoil in the south. The Antiran, the Titiyam and the Atiyan were the most prominent of the Ay rulers. The Ezhimalas too ruled over an extensive area that covers the present Kannur and Wynad districts of North Kerala. However, the Cheras were the most conspicuous of the dynasties and founded a powerful kingdom in Kerala.
The first Chera ruler was Perumchottu Utiyan Cheralatan who after suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Chola ruler, the King Karikalan, committed suicide. His son, Imayavaramban Nedum Cheralatan, consolidated the Chera Dynasty and extended its frontiers. He inflicted a crushing defeat on his sworn enemies, the Kadambas of Banavasi. Imayavaramban’s reign is of special significance to the development of art and literature. Kannanar was his poet laureate. However, the greatest Chera King was Kadalpirakottiya Vel Kelu Kuttuvan, who is also identified with the mythical hero of the Silappadigaram (The Jewelled Anklet).
Silappadigaram is one of the three great Tamil epics of the Sangam Age. Kuttuvan was the proponent of the Patni (wife) cult. The cult emphasised the utter devotion of a wife towards her husband. He dedicated a temple at Vanchi to Kannagi (the female protagonist of Silappadigaram), and the present Kurumba Bhagavati Temple at Kodungallur (Cranganore) is modeled on it.
Kannagi’s devotion towards her husband was legendary. Recently, the Indian Government has instituted an award in her memory, which is given to the women.
After the Sangam Age, the era of Kalabhra Interregnum resulted in the dark period of Kerala which lasted for four centuries. At the end of the 8th Century, South Indian kingdoms such as the Pallavas, the Chalukyas, the Rashtrakutas and the Pandyas succeeded in overthrowing the Kalabhras.
A reform movement was led by Adi Shankaracharya, a great saint. He travelled the length and breadth of India and got the better of many Buddhist missionaries in public discourses. Kalady, situated 25 kilometres northeast of Cochin, was the birthplace of Shankaracharya.
A great philosopher and theologian, he propagated the advaita (monism) philosophy, which is also known as kevaladvaita (strict monism). He established four mathas, the Hindu monastic establishments in the four corners of the country.
After the reign of the Kalbhras, the Second Chera Empire made its appearance in Kerala with its capital at Mahodyapuram (modern Kodangallur). It was founded by Kulasekhara Alvar, one of the 12 Alvars. The Alvars gave a great impetus to the Bhakti cult in South India between the 7th and the 10th centuries. Kulasekhara Alvar was a scholar and a great patron of the arts. He composed five dramas in Sanskrit. They are the Perumal Tirumozhi in Tamil, and Mukundamala, Tapatisamvarna, Subhadradhamala and Vichchinnabhiseka.
The next ruler, Rajasekhara Varman founded the ‘Kollam Era’ of Kerala, which began in 825 A.D. He is also reputed to have issued the Vazhappali Inscription, the first epigraphical record of the Chera Kingdom. His reign witnessed a flourishing trade between Kerala and China. The Tillaisthanam Inscription indicates that he was on friendly terms with the Chola monarch. After his death, hostilities broke out between the Cheras and the Cholas, which continued until the disintegration of the Chera Kingdom.
Later, Venad emerged as an independent power with the kingdom reaching its zenith under Udaya Marthanda Varma (1175-1195) and Ravi Varma Kulasekhara (1299-1314). Udaya Marthanda Varma, a very efficient ruler was the architect of a brilliant administrative system for temples. RaviVarma Kulasekhara was also the most important ruler of the dynasty. His reign saw the development of art and learning. A scholar and musician himself, he patronised intellectuals and poets during his tenure. The Sanskrit drama Pradyumnabhyudayam is ascribed to him. Trade and commerce also flourished during his rule and Quilon became a famous centre of business and enterprise.
During the medieval period, Calicut rose to prominence with the Zamorins (literally Lord of the Sea) being the hereditary rulers of Calicut. Trade with foreigners like the Chinese and Arabs was the main source of revenue for the Zamorins. But it was the Arabs who managed to establish stronger trade links with the rulers of Calicut. Art and culture flourished under the Zamorins who were great patrons of literature. Accounts of travellers like Ibn Batuta (1342-47), Ma Huan, the Chinese scholar, Abdur Razzak (1443), Nicolo Conti (1444) and Athanasius Nikitin (1468-74) corroborate this fact. The powerful Zamorins conquered Beypore, Parappanad, Vettat, Kurumbranad, Nilambur, Manjeri, Malappuram, Kottakal and Ponnai. By 15th century, clashes between Cochin and Calicut became increasingly frequent. The reigning Zamorin emerged as the undisputed monarch of the North Malabar area, extending up to Pantalayani Kollam.
In 1498, the arrival of Vasco da Gama at Calicut was a landmark event in the history of Kerala. The Portuguese gained some trading facilities at Quilon and Cannanore. Kerala was in turmoil at that time. The Portuguese had the intention of stopping the Arabs from trading with India. With the support from the Raja of Cochin, they defeated the Zamorin and gained permission to fortify Cochin and Cranganore in 1503 and 1504, respectively. Later, Albuquerque was managed to make peace with the Zamorin.
A treaty was signed in 1513, which gave the Portuguese the right to construct a fort in Cochin and to carry on trade. However, the successors of Albuquerque were incompetent and corrupt which led to the decline of Portuguese power in Kerala. The Portuguese had a strong impact on the educational and cultural life of Kerala. The introduction of the printing press in Kerala can be counted as one of their biggest achievements.
The Dutch also landed on the western coast, lured by the possibility of trade with India. Various treaties signed in 1608 and 1610 ensured trading facilities for the Dutch. With the treaty of 1619, the Dutch joined hands with the British to eliminate competition from the Portuguese. The Dutch were able to fortify and monopolise trade in the regions of Purakkad, Kayakulum, Quilon and Travancore by 1662.
One of the most singular achievements of the Dutch contingent in India was the conquest of Cochin in 1663. The decline of the Dutch became inevitable with the unprecedented rise of Travancore under Marthanda Varma and the Mysore invasion. The Zamorin also succeeded in depriving the Dutch of Cochin, Cranganore, Parur and Trichur.
Travancore or Venad occupied centre stage in the political arena of Kerala because of the deeds of its two illustrious rulers, Marthanda Varma and Rama Varma. In his lifetime, Marthanda Varma successfully annexed the territories under the Dutch. Later, Rama Varma, also known as Dharma Raja ascended the throne and ably carried out the task of administration. Two distinguished ministers, Ayyappan Marthanda Pillai and Raja Kesava Das assisted him in administering the kingdom. Rama Varma had to bear the brunt of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan’s invasion. But Rama Varma’s defence system withstood even the might of Tipu’s forces.
By 1634-1635, the British also had managed to gain permission to use all the Portuguese ports in Kerala from the Zamorin. The British fortified Calicut in 1664. In the years to follow, Travancore and Tellicherry also came under the control of the British. They had to face considerable opposition from the French and the Dutch. However, the British were successful in ousting other European powers.
Haider Ali, the ruler of Mysore, turned his attention towards Kerala after subduing Bednore in 1763. The regions of Kolathiri, Kottayam, Kadathanad, Kurumbranad and Calicut came under the dominion of Haider Ali. Again in 1773, Haider Ali laid siege on Kerala and conquered Trichur after restoring his authority in Malabar. Haider’s son, Tippu Sultan managed to annex the entire South Malabar in 1783. It was only in 1790 that he succeeded in breaching the Travancore Line. With the Treaty of Srirangapatnam in 1792, Tippu gave Malabar to the British.
Several revolts took place during the late 18th and early 19th century, which challenged British authority. The important was the revolt of Velu Thampi and Paliath Achan who were Chief Ministers of Travancore and Cochin, respectively. The famous proclamation asking people to rise against the British was issued in 1809 by Velu Thampi. Though the revolt was crushed mercilessly, Thampi and Achan are still revered as great patriots who sacrificed their lives for the country.
Travancore was fortunate enough to be governed by many enlightened administrators like Velu Thampi, Rani Gouri Lakshmi Bai, Gouri Parvati Bai, Swati Tirunal, Ayilyam Tirunal, Sri Mulam Tirunal who did much to see science, art and culture flourish in Travancore. Around 1836-56, Malabar saw a lot of disturbances due to the Mappila Riots which were suppressed by the British forces.
The Non-Cooperation Movement and the Khilafat agitation found enthusiastic supporters in Malabar too. The winds of patriotism swept through the princely states of Travancore and Cochin during the freedom struggle. Likewise, the Ezhava Memorial of 1896 was a petition that spelt out the injustices the Ezhava community had suffered for a long time.
The Indian National Congress established a Congress Committee in Thiruvananthapuram. Abdul Rahman Ali Raja of Cannanore became the President of the Muslim League in 1937. The Communist Party found a foothold in Kerala around 1939. Cochin also remained in the eye of the storm for several years during the national movement. A committee of the Indian National Congress was set up in Cochin.
After Indian Independence in 1947, the three provinces Travancore, Cochin and Malabar were joined together and the State of Kerala was formed in 1956. In 1957, Kerala became the first place in the world to freely elect a Communist government.
Kerala Etymology
The name Kerala has an uncertain etymology. Keralam may stem from the Classical Tamil chera-alam ("declivity of a hill or a mountain slope") or chera alam ("Land of the Cheras"). Kerala may represent an imperfect Malayalam portmanteau fusing kera ("coconut palm tree") and alam ("land" or "location"). Natives of Kerala , known as Malayalis or Keralites , refer to their land as Keralam.
A 3rd-century-BC Asokan rock inscription mentioning a state or people called " Keralaputra " is the earliest surviving attestation to the name Kerala . In written records, Kerala was mentioned in the Sanskrit epic Aitareya Aranyaka. Additionally, Katyayana, Patanjali, Pliny the Elder, and the unknown author of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea displayed familiarity with Kerala . In the last centuries BC, the region became famous among the Greeks and Romans for its spices, particularly black pepper
Kerala Geography
Kerala is wedged between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. Lying between north latitudes 8°18' and 12°48' and east longitudes 74°52' and 72°22', Kerala is well within the humid equatorial tropics. Kerala 's coast runs for some 580 km (360 miles), while the state itself varies between 35 and 120 km (22–75 miles) in width. Geographically, Kerala can be divided into three climatically distinct regions: the eastern highlands (rugged and cool mountainous terrain), the central midlands (rolling hills), and the western lowlands (coastal plains). Located at the extreme southern tip of the Indian subcontinent, Kerala lies near the centre of the Indian tectonic plate; as such, most of the state is subject to comparatively little seismic and volcanic activity. Pre-Cambrian and Pleistocene geological formations compose the bulk of Kerala 's terrain.
Eastern Kerala consists of high mountains, gorges and deep-cut valleys immediately west of the Western Ghats' rain shadow. Forty one of Kerala 's west-flowing rivers, and three of its east-flowing ones originate in this region. The Western Ghats form a wall of mountains interrupted only near Palakkad, where the Palakkad Gap breaks through to provide access to the rest of India. The Western Ghats rises on average to 1,500 m (4920 ft) above sea level, while the highest peaks may reach to 2,500 m (8200 ft). Just west of the mountains lie the midland plains comprising central Kerala , dominated by rolling hills and valleys. Generally ranging between elevations of 250–1,000 m (820–3300 ft), the eastern portions of the Nilgiri and Palni Hills include such formations as Agastyamalai and Anamalai.
Kerala 's western coastal belt is relatively flat, and is criss-crossed by a network of interconnected brackish canals, lakes, estuaries, and rivers known as the Kerala Backwaters. Lake Vembanad— Kerala 's largest body of water—dominates the Backwaters; it lies between Alappuzha and Kochi and is more than 200 km² in area. Around 8% of India's waterways (measured by length) are found in Kerala . The most important of Kerala 's forty four rivers include the Periyar (244 km), the Bharathapuzha (209 km), the Pamba (176 km), the Chaliyar (169 km), the Kadalundipuzha (130 km) and the Achankovil (128 km). The average length of the rivers of Kerala is 64 km. Most of the remainder are small and entirely fed by monsoon rains.These conditions result in the nearly year-round water logging of such western regions as Kuttanad, 500 km² of which lies below sea level. As Kerala 's rivers are small and lack deltas, they are more prone to environmental factors. Kerala 's rivers face many problems, including summer droughts, the building of large dams, sand mining, and pollution.
Kerala Climate
With 120–140 rainy days per year, Kerala has a wet and maritime tropical climate influenced by the seasonal heavy rains of the southwest summer monsoon. In eastern Kerala , a drier tropical wet and dry climate prevails. Kerala 's rainfall averages 3,107 mm annually. Some of Kerala 's drier lowland regions average only 1,250 mm; the mountains of eastern Idukki district receive more than 5,000 mm of orographic precipitation, the highest in the state.
In summers, most of Kerala is prone to gale force winds, storm surges, cyclone-related torrential downpours, occasional droughts, and rises in sea level and storm activity resulting from global warming. Daily average high 36.7 °C; low 19.8 °C. Mean annual temperatures range from 25.0–27.5 °C in the coastal lowlands to 20.0–22.5 °C in the eastern highlands.
Kerala Flora & Fauna
Much of Kerala 's notable biodiversity is concentrated and protected in the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve in the eastern hills. Almost a fourth of India's 10,000 plant species are found in the state. Among the almost 4,000 flowering plant species (1,272 of which are endemic to Kerala and 159 threatened) are 900 species of highly sought medicinal plants.
Its 9,400 km² of forests include tropical wet evergreen and semi-evergreen forests (lower and middle elevations—3,470 km²), tropical moist and dry deciduous forests (mid-elevations—4,100 km² and 100 km², respectively), and montane subtropical and temperate ( shola ) forests (highest elevations—100 km²). Altogether, 24% of Kerala is forested Two of the world's Ramsar Convention listed wetlands—Lake Sasthamkotta and the Vembanad-Kol wetlands—are in Kerala , as well as 1455.4 km² of the vast Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Subjected to extensive clearing for cultivation in the 20th century, much of the remaining forest cover is now protected from clearfelling. Kerala 's fauna are notable for their diversity and high rates of endemism: 102 species of mammals (56 of which are endemic), 476 species of birds, 202 species of freshwater fishes, 169 species of reptiles (139 of them endemic), and 89 species of amphibians (86 endemic). These are threatened by extensive habitat destruction, including soil erosion, landslides, salinization, and resource extraction.
Eastern Kerala 's windward mountains shelter tropical moist forests and tropical dry forests, which are common in the Western Ghats. Here, sonokeling (Indian rosewood), anjili , mullumurikku ( Erythrina ), and Cassia number among the more than 1,000 species of trees in Kerala . Other plants include bamboo, wild black pepper, wild cardamom, the calamus rattan palm (a type of climbing palm), and aromatic vetiver grass ( Vetiveria zizanioides ). Living among them are such fauna as Asian Elephant, Bengal Tiger, Leopard ( Panthera pardus ), Nilgiri Tahr, Common Palm Civet, and Grizzled Giant Squirrel. Reptiles include the king cobra, viper, python, and crocodile. Kerala 's birds are legion—Peafowl, the Great Hornbill, Indian Grey Hornbill, Indian Cormorant, and Jungle Myna are several emblematic species. In lakes, wetlands, and waterways, fish such as kadu (stinging catfish and Choottachi (Orange chromide— Etroplus maculatus ; valued as an aquarium specimen) are found.
Kerala Religions
Kerala is unique in India for its diverse mix of religions. According to Census of India figures, 56% of Kerala residents are Hindus, 24% are Muslims, 19% are Christians, and the remaining 1% follow other religions including Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, Judaism.
Hindus basically consists of castes such as the Ezhavas, Nairs, Dalits and Kerala Brahmins.
The Abrahamic religions attest to Kerala 's prominence as a major trade center. Judaism arrived in Kerala with spice traders, possibly as early as the 7th century BC.A significant Jewish community existed in Kerala until the 20th century when most emigrated to Israel leaving only a handful of families. In AD 52, Christianity reached the shores of Kerala with the arrival of St. Thomas, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. The major Christian denominations are Syrian Catholic, Latin Catholic, Malankara Catholic, Jacobite, Malankara Orthodox and Protestants. The general consensus among historians is that Islam arrived in Kerala through Arab traders either during the time of Prophet Muhammad himself (AD 609 - AD 632) or in the following few decades. In the 7th Century, the Zamorine of Kozhikode allowed these traders to settle and form a major community in Kozhikode, from where the religion gradually spread in the following centuries.
Jainism, which arrived in Kerala around the 3rd century BC, has a considerable population of in the Wayanad district bordering the Karnataka state.
Each of these religions have left a mark on Kerala with major sites of worship that draw numerous pilgrims. The major Hindu pilgrimage centers are located in Guruvayur, Sabarimala, Ettumanoor, and Chottanikkara. Christians have prominent churches and shrines in Malayattoor, Arthungal, Bharananganam, Kuravilangad, Parumala, Manarcaud, Vallarpadam, Edathua, and Edapally. One famous Muslim mosque is located at Ponnani. Kerala Jews centered in the city of Kochi have the Cochin Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in India.
Notably, Keral a's various religious communities have lived together in relative peace and amicability.
Kerala Culture
Kerala's culture is derived from both a Tamil-heritage region known as Tamilakam and southern coastal Karnataka. Later, Kerala 's culture was elaborated upon through centuries of contact with neighboring and overseas cultures. Native performing arts include koodiyattom (a 2000 year old Sanskrit theatre tradition, officially recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity), kathakali —from katha ("story") and kali ("performance")—and its offshoot Kerala natanam , koothu (akin to stand-up comedy), mohiniaattam ("dance of the enchantress"), thullal , padayani , and theyyam .
Other forms of art are more religious or tribal in nature. These include chavittu nadakom , oppana (originally from Malabar), which combines dance, rhythmic hand clapping, and ishal vocalisations. However, many of these art forms largely play to tourists or at youth festivals, and are not as popular among most ordinary Keralites. These people look to more contemporary art and performance styles, including those employing mimicry and parody.
Kerala 's music also has ancient roots. Carnatic music dominates Keralite traditional music. This was the result of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma's popularisation of the genre in the 19th century Raga-based renditions known as sopanam accompany kathakali performances. Melam (including the paandi and panchari variants) is a more percussive style of music; it is performed at Kshetram centered festivals using the chenda . Melam ensembles comprise up to 150 musicians, and performances may last up to four hours. Panchavadyam is a different form of percussion ensemble, in which up to 100 artists use five types of percussion instrument. Kerala has various styles of folk and tribal music. The popular music of Kerala is dominated by the filmi music of Indian cinema. Kerala's visual arts range from traditional murals to the works of Raja Ravi Varma, the state's most renowned painter.
Kerala has its own Malayalam calendar, which is used to plan agricultural and religious activities. Kerala' s cuisine is typically served as a sadhya on green banana leaves. Such dishes as idli , payasam , pulisherry , puttucuddla , puzhukku , rasam , and sambar are typical. Keralites—both men and women alike—traditionally don flowing and unstitched garments. These include the mundu , a loose piece of cloth wrapped around men's waists. Women typically wear the sari , a long and elaborately wrapped banner of cloth, wearable in various styles. Presently the North Indian dresses such as Salwar Kameez has also become very popular amongst women in Kerala.
The elephants are an integral part of the daily life in Kerala. These Indian elephants are loved, revered, groomed and given a prestigious place in the state's culture. Elephants in Kerala are often referred to as the 'sons of the sahya .' The ana(elephant) is the state animal of Kerala and is featured on the emblem of the Government of Kerala.
Kerala Tourism
Kerala , situated on the lush and tropical Malabar Coast, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Named as one of the "ten paradises of the world" and "50 places of a lifetime" by the National Geographic Traveler magazine, Kerala is especially known for its ecotourism initiatives. Its unique culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demographics, has made Kerala one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Growing at a rate of 13.31%, the state's tourism industry is a major contributor to the state's economy.
The early 1980s, Kerala was a relatively unknown destination; most tourist circuits focused on North India. Aggressive marketing campaigns launched by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, the government agency that oversees tourism prospects of the state, laid the foundation for the growth of the tourism industry. In the decades that followed, Kerala 's tourism industry was able to transform the state into one of the niche holiday destinations in India. The tagline Kerala- God's Own Country, originally coined by Vipin Gopal, has been widely used in Kerala 's tourism promotions and soon became synonymous with the state. In 2006, Kerala attracted 8.5 million tourist arrivals, an increase of 23.68% over the previous year, making the state one of the fastest-growing destinations in the world.
Popular attractions in the state include the beaches at Kovalam, Cherai and Varkala; the hill stations of Munnar, Nelliampathi, Ponmudi and Wayanad; and national parks and wildlife sanctuaries at Periyar and Eravikulam National Park. The "backwaters" region, which comprises an extensive network of interlocking rivers, lakes, and canals that centre on Alleppey, Kollam, Kumarakom, and Punnamada (where the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held in August), also see heavy tourist traffic. Heritage sites, such as the Padmanabhapuram Palace and the Mattancherry Palace, are also visited. Cities such as Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are popular centres for their shopping and traditional theatrical performances. During early summer, the Thrissur Pooram is conducted, attracting foreign tourists who are largely drawn by the festival's elephants and celebrants
Crafts of Kerala
Ebony and Ivory
In a land where elephants and humans live in harmony, where the elephant is revered as the chariot of the Gods, Ivory is an important medium of artistic expression in Kerala. It is not only an object of beauty but also a symbol of purity. Idols of ivory, carved with extreme finesse, are found in places of worship all over the state. Wood with ivory inlay was a natural progression for the artists of Kerala. The striking contrast of the exquisitely carved dark redwood against the milky white of the inlayed ivory is simply wonderful. Screens, ashtrays, keyrings, table tops, decorative boxes, chess sets and bookcases are some of the more popular wood and 'ivory' inlay products. Now with the ban on ivory, alternatives such as bone, resins and plastic are being used.
Brass Work
In Kerala the crafting of brass vessels is an art. A method called the 'lost wax' process which has its origin in Egypt is employed in making brass items. Molds are made of clay and hot wax, the furnace is heated to nearly 800 degrees, and the molten brass is poured into it. Etching of designs is done on the finished product using sharp, chisel-like objects. The centers at Kasaragod and Trivandrum are engaged in the casting of vessels called urales which are generally large and used for cooking in large quantities in temples and at community gatherings. In Iranjalkuda, both small and large items are cast in brass and bell metal. Tall lamps used in rituals at temples were traditionally made of bell metal now are made of brass. Idols, ashtrays, fruit bowls, lamps and tabletops are some of the more popular items. Brass is also gaining in popularity for the making of some of the larger temple idols. The skilled craftsmen of the Sthapathy community polish these to perfection.
Mental Inlay in Wood Laminated Wood
The laminated wood craft originated in and around Ernakulam District in Kerala around 1975. Rosewood, Plywood, Whitewood and brass metal pieces are the main raw materials used in the craft. The rosewood and whitewood are cut into required sizes and pasted on the plywood pieces according to the various designs by using araldite as adhesive. After drying, the entire piece is fixed into the lathe machine for turning. Generally sheenlac is used for final polishing. The brass metal pieces are fixed in different designs to make the final product ready. The product ranges include Anjali Face, Dancing Lady, Peacock, Candle Stand, Star Wheel, Kathakali Heads, Wheel of Furniture, Key Stand and Butterfly etc.
Naturepetty or Nettor Box
One of the Kerala's most exquisite wood products is a nine-sided wooden chest called naturepetty. This chest contains the bride's jewelry when she leaves for her husband's home. This box is also traditionally used for preserving the Kathakali Costumes. These chests are generally made from the jackfruit tree and sometimes rosewood, polished to perfection. Brass cut out design and hinges fitted for these boxes to use them for keeping the valuable known as 'Abharana Petti'.
Rose Wood
The large number of temples, the door, windows and ceilings of most of the ancient houses depict the high level of craftsmanship and tradition of Rosewood carving. The main theme of carving in those days was drawn out of mythology. Now, there is a new form to carve items like Elephant, Tiger, Deers etc. in different poses to suit as paper weight, book ends, lamp stands etc.
Bell Metal
Metal as a media of expression by the craftsman weather it is for creating objects to meet the religious commitments or for meeting the domestic necessities of common man, has the tradition going back to the second millennium B.C. The studies also revealed that the metal alloys have been in use for workshop art in India from time immemorial, perhaps as old as lamps, bells and other temple requirements and utensils to meet the customary requirements of the public is yet another form the metal craft practiced mainly in Kerala.
Joint Wood Articles Joint Wood Table Mat
Found in and around Quilandi of Calicut District, this is a new craft form. Rose Wood, Coconut Stem and Soft Wood (Karimuruku) are the three varieties of wood used as raw material for making the laminated joint wood table mats. The wood sliced into small sizes of diamond shape by using table saw machine, holes are made crosswise, jointed together by using nylon thread to form the mats of deferent shapes and sizes. The mats are given a coating of mansion polish by using cotton cloth and after sometime rubber to get fine finishing. The most popular designs include Star mat, Flower mat, oblong mat, stripped mat etc.
Coconut Shell
The usual items of manufacture are cups, flower vases, snuff boxes, sugar basins, nut bowls, powder boxes and spoons. The brass broidered coconut shell is an admirable deviation from the usual coconut shell carving. Ever since the Arabs took interest in the brass broidered coconut shell hookahs, the trade has maintained certain continuity. The craft is mostly concentrated in calicut district. The shells are cut into proper sizes or shapes by using a handsaw. Specially made chisels are used for carving.
Screw Pine
Screw pine mat weaving is one of the major cottage industries in Kerala. Three types of mats are woven with Screw pine leaves. The Screw pine mat weaving has existed for more than 800 years. Embroidery on Screw pine mats is a commendable deviation from the ordinary cloth embroidery. This craft is popular in Karunagapalli Taluk of Kollam Dist, Mavelikkara & Karthikapalli Taluks of Alappuzha dist. Thazava, Vachrai and Vallikunnam Panchayaths, some villages in Thiruvananthapuram and Kottayam Districts.
Horn Carving
Horn carving in Kerala is mainly concentrated in Thiruvananthapuram. The artisans belonging to Viswakarma Community are mainly practicing this craft. A wide range of utility and decorative items like flower set, birds, animals, combs & cigarette cases etc. are made out of horn.
Bamboo Reed Paintings Bamboo Mat Paintings
Bamboo mat painting is one of the major craft which requires more concentration and devotion as well as an artistic mind for the craft person. Most of the paintings are based on gods, goddess, animals, birds, scenery etc. in different sizes and attractive colours. The craft persons initially make mat of required size as canvas, draw the sketch according to the required painting, finish with bamboo reed frames at bottom and top with a tag.
Lace and Embrodiery
This alien craft was introduced early in the Christian Era by a colony of Syrians who are settled in Kerala. The present form of embroidery is of a recent origin and it is believed that the London Mission Society gave a start to it during first quarter of the 19th century. The embroidery and lace work can be seen in the Eravipuram, the Changanassery, the Kottayam, the Pala, the Parrasala, the Trissur and the Cannoor. The entire lace work is done by passing fine thread attached to wooden pages around pins fixed on a cardboard for embroidery work, then the designs are first drawn on the cloth by hand or copied through a stencil. The embroidery work is done only after selecting the different colours to form an attractive pattern.
Art and Culture of Kerala
Kerala has a rich history of art and culture. It is famous for its art, poets and musicians, traditional dance forms, exquisite crafts and distinctive architecture. For ages, the rich and vibrant culture of Kerala has intrigued people worldwide. The real treasures of Kerala lie in the cultural heritage of its people through the different art forms which are the reflections of the rhythmic impulses of a sensitive people.
Mural paintings
The Mural paintings of Kerala have the stamp of uniqueness in aesthetic composition and technique. Mural paintings came into vogue in Kerala as early as the 8th century AD. The most antique work of Murals of Kerala can be seen in the Thirunandikkara Cave Temple in Thiruvananthapuram district, now a part of Kanya Kumari district of the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. The Murals created at temples and palaces of Kerala depict sagas of Hindu gods and goddesses and visual poems of their heroic deeds.
Theatre Art
In its earliest forms, theatre in Kerala encompassed performing arts like Kootiyattam, which called for an erudite audience, along with folk art performances like the 'Kakkarissi Natakam'. Inspired by the Christian religious plays of Europe, the Christians of Kerala evolved their own theatre called the Chavittunatakom. Pure Malayalam theatre is captured in all its essence in Kerala Varma Valia Koithampuran's 'Abhignana Sakunthalam' (1898 AD), a translation of Kalidasa's 'Sakunthalam'.
