Kerala

Location

It is covered by the Arabian Sea on the West, Tamil Nadu on the East, Karnataka on the North, and the location is in Malabar Coast on the southwest part.

Language

The official language of Kerala is Malayalam. An additional official language is English. Another most spoken language is Tamil. Along these, some other spoken languages are- Allar, Aranadan, Mannan, Kadar, Malapandaram, Malayan, Malavedan, Paliyan, Paniya, Ravula, Eravallan, Irula, Kannikaran, Betta Kurumba, Muthvan, Yerukula, Kodava, Jannu Kurumba, Kannada, Mullu Kurumba, Urali, Wayanad Chetti, Korra Koraga, Mudu Koraga, Bellari, Kudiya, Tulu, Mala Malasar, Malasar, Thachanadan, Ullatan, Kalanadi, Kumaran, Kunduvadi, Attapady Kurumba, Muduga and Pathiya, and Judeo-Malayalam.

Peoples

History of Kerala 

• The first mentioned name of Kerala is Keralaputra during the 3rd century BCE, left by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka.
• During the 1st 5 centuries, the region was a part of Tamilakam (Tamil). In the 1st century, Jewish immigrants arrived there.
• History of Kerala says that from the 6th to 8th-century Arab traders introduced Islam later in the period.
• From the 9th century to the 12th century (c. 800-1102) Malayalam was raised as a distinct language, and Hinduism became prominent.
• During the 14th century, Ravi Varma Kulashekhara of the vented kingdom established a short-lived supremacy over southern India.
• In the 16th century, the Portuguese superseded the Arab traders and dominated the commerce of the Malabar Coast.
• In the 17th century, the Dutch ousted the Portuguese.
• In 1949, Cochin and Travancore were united as a Travancore-Cochin state.
• And finally the present state, Kerala formed in 1956 on the base of linguistic differences.

Tradition of Kerala 

The regular dress of Kerala’s women is Saree and Blouse. But in festivals, they wear their traditional set sarees named Kasavu. On the other hand, men wear their traditional dress named Mundu which is almost similar to the lungi and dhoti.

Their famous traditional dances are Kaikotti Kali dance (performed by women in symmetric circles), Kuthiyottam, and Thirayattam. Kakkarissi kali etc. In front of the goddess Bhagavatam, they perform the Kanniyar Kali dance. Patiyani dance is performed for Goddess Kali. Songs are also presented uniquely here by women. They sing the Thiruvathira song and dance with it in circles. Drams are also played during the dance.

Basically, Kerala is well known for its unique music like Kathakali music, Carnatic music, and Sopana Sangeetham. One of the traditional famous festivals of Kerala is Onam which is celebrated during August and September. It’s a 10-day-long harvest festival.

Their New Year is celebrated as ‘Vishu’ around April. And the first month is called medium according to Kerala culture. The elephant is a famous animal for the people of Kerala which is also needed for some cultural festive and religious rituals.

How to reach Kerala 

By Rail: Kerala has around 200 railway stations. The availability of trains is too high for many important cities of Kerala. In front of the station, autos, and cabs are available for moving within cities.

By Road: Kerala is connected via 3 highways. Private and government buses are available there. The state is connected through NH 49, NH 47, and NH 17.

By Air: Kerala has 3 International airports. Named – Trivandrum International Airport (located in the southern part), Kochi International Airport (located in the central part), and Calicut International Airport (located in the northern part). There are also some domestic airports for moving within the state.