Kerala occupies the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula.
Kerala's culture-- its ancient civilization, artistic forms,
beliefs, and openness to new ideas —reveals a kaleidoscopic
representation of the Dravidian traditions and their rich
cultural heritage. Kerala owns a rich and ever-flourishing
culture. Kerala prides over its cultural diversity with people
from different ethnic groups and different religious faiths
populating it. This small but enviable state along the west
coast of South India is indeed a melting pot of cultural multiplicity.
Some of the major events showcasing Kerala’s culture
are the Onam Festival, the Temple festival at Thrissur, the
annual Snake Boat Race at Alleppey, and the festivals of Id
and Christmas. You can entreat your eyes with some of these
celebrations on your visit through the Kerala Backwaters.
Kerala’s exotic culture also includes its varied dance
forms, martial arts and mouth-watering cuisines. Kathakali,
a 300-year-old dance form is one of the most popular dance
forms, developed exclusively in Kerala. This dance exhibits
a gorgeous amalgamation of color, dance, music, drama and
expressions. Other dance forms of Kerala are Mohiniyattom,
Thullal, Krishnanattom, Koodiyattom, Kolkkali, Thiruvathirakali,
Oppanna and Chavittunatakom.
Apart from classical dance and art, Kerala excels in Kalaripayattu, a eminent marital art form. Considered as the oldest and most scientific, it is the most comprehensive form of martial arts. Interestingly, even kung-fu is believed to have originated from Kalaripayattu.
In its entirety, Kerala's culture epitomizes the triumph
of its people in preserving its wealth encompassing its art,
architecture, dance, education or its multifaceted religions.
The present culture of Kerala is the consequence of the unique
blend of cultural fusion and communal adaptation.
A preview to Kerala Culture is as
follows:
Boat
Races in Kerala
Another, unparalleled attraction of God's Own Country is boat
races.These annual races feature many classes of boats, but
the most spectacular event is the race between the giant Snake
Boats or Chundanvallams at the annual races or Vallamkalis
held on the Punnamada Backwaters at Alappuzha.
Houseboats
of Kerala
Renting a houseboat designed like a kettuvallam(rice barge)
could be one of your most expensive experiences in India,
but it's worth every rupee. Drifting through quiet canals
lined with coconut palms, eating deliciously authentic Keralan
food, meeting local villagers and sleeping on the water under
a galaxy of stars- it's a world away from the clamor of India.
Onam
Festival of Kerala
Keralan festivals are astonishing, not only in the way they
are celebrated but in their sheer number. Onam is the most important
festive occasion in Kerala, South India.The people of Kerala
celebrate Onam with great gusto and pomp, every house in Kerala
is cleaned and decorated.
Dances
of Kerala
Kerala has a rich repertoire of folk dances. Kathakali, Chavittunatakom,
Kolkkali, Duffmuttu, Kutiyattam and Mohiniyattam are one of
the famous dances in Kerala.
Cuisine
and Spices of Kerala
Like its Culture, Kerala cuisine has also been influenced by
various traditions. Kerala is a coastal state, it is a covered
with emerald green paddy fields and has plantations where spices
that have been exported worldwide for centuries, are grown.
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