|
|
| |
Language
A history of interaction with foreigners dating back to 3rd century BC has made Kerala a multi-religious society. The earliest trade was with the Egyptians, Babylonians, Phoenicians and Chinese. Jesus’ doubting apostle, St. Thomas’ arrival is pegged around 52 BC, some of the Jewish Diaspora in the 1st century AD landed at Kerala’s shores around AD 70 and the 8th century saw the establishment of strong trade ties with the Arabs. Of the colonizers, Kerala attracted the attentions of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British. As a result, the tiny land of Kerala is home to Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, (particularly Syrian Christains), Jews, Jains, and atheists, the Malayali senior citizens being almost all card-carrying communists.
The Malayalis, as the people of Kerala are known, are of Dravidian stock. They speak Malayalam and are distinguished from the rest of India in that most of them are literate. As a norm they are well read, politically aware and the Hindus, extremely caste conscious. Opinions abound and on streets, in markets, on the walls of buildings, they are on public display.
Kerala is India’s statistical aberration! Women are the majority sex, average life expectancy is closer to that in the US than India, literacy rates are almost double that of the rest of India. Traces of a matriarchal system mean that Malayali women enjoy a degree of social respect denied to women in most other communities. The Nairs are Kerala’s only practicing matriarchy today.
The language spoken in Kerala is Malayalam. It is one of the south Indian Dravidian languages. English is not very widely spoken except in business circles and in the tourist centres.
|
Religion
Hindus are the largest religious community in Kerala, where there are also significant populations of Christians and Muslims. A large section of Keralan Christians belong to the Syrian Christian Church. There are also a few Jains and Buddhists, and very few of the famous “Jews of Kochi” still live here.
|
Food
Rice is the staple of the Kerala diet. Various preparations form the base of the meal; curries of fish, meat and vegetable accompany it. Most dishes bear the flavour of coconut, curry leaves and mustard seeds, and the tastes of coconut milk and tamarind. All communities except the Namboodiris, a community of orthodox Brahmins, consume meat with gusto.
Kerala cuisine is distinguished by its regional and religious differences. The food of the Malabar coast is distinct in its use of red chillis, pepper, mutton and beef preparations and the fondness for the famed Malabari 'barotha' a multi-layered fried bread from unleavened dough. The Travancore region is staunchly Hindu, ruled over by Hindu kings so beef was taboo but pork wasn't! Rice is still a staple but preparations are easier in the use of pungent spices but redolent of the strong flavour of coconut oil. The Malayali people relish sea fish, mussels, pork, beef, mutton and fowl, and these may be stewed, fried or curried. Usually Muslims won’t eat pork and Hindus won’t eat beef. The influence of the Middle East is unmistakable in the richness of the meat dishes.
'Puttu' is a breakfast speciality made from steamed rice flour. The Kerala variation of the dosa, the Tamilian rice pancake, is called 'appam'. The 'pathiri' is yet another kind of bread, which may be had sweet or stuffed with meat. The most popular sweets are payasam and pradaman. Rasam, served right at the end of a meal, is light pepper water intended to help you digest your food. Kallu and patta charayam are the local liquor: the latter is a kind of arrack and is extremely potent, and is usually accompanied by boiled eggs and hot pickles. Culinary specialities include banana, yam and jackfruit chips, avial, a vegetable curry flavoured with fresh coconut, green chilis and curd, injipuli, a tamarind and ginger sauce as well as the hot but very delicious Malabari prawn and chicken curries.
|
Culture and Crafts
Kathakali, kuttiyatam and kalaripayattu are Kerala’s pre-eminent arts. The culturally thriving society evolved its own classical dance-drama form called Kathakali. The Kathakali dancer relies on exaggerated eye movements, a ferociously painted face and stylised dancing to convey the spectacle of good versus evil. The native martial art form of Kalaripayattu exacts physical and mental dexterity from its exponent. People dedicate entire lives to mastering the lithe deadly graceful movements. Kuttiyatam is also an ancient dance-drama form. Mohiniattam is a classical dance performed exclusively by women.
Malayali literature dates back to 100AD. The poet Kumaran Asan is a towering literary figure. The folk theatre form of Yakshaganam originated in Kerala.
|
Related Features on Kerala  | Brrr… it’s cold and damp and you need to escape the winter chill. Dreaming of a beach to feel the ... | | To truly witness the rich cultural heritage and experience the luxurious lifestyle once enjoyed by the many Maharajas of India, ... | | In this day and age where people don’t get to enjoy the unadulterated beauty of nature amidst the wealth of ... | | Floating down the backwaters, a kaleidoscope of Kerala's culture flashes before your eyes… You bask in the shade of a ... | | India is increasingly being regarded as a top spa destination, with some of the globally recommended best spa retreats, now ... | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holiday Packages
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Travel Tools
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|