Kerala Culture & Art

Kerala’s culture is truly one of its kinds. For those people who have interest in dance, drama and music, Kerala is heaven. You have scores of art forms, which are quite unique in nature to Kerala, Watch them and experience an endless and varied emotions to win your passion, love, kindness, compassion, mirth, joy, sorrow, grief, anger, wonder, horror, fear, valour, courage etc. And then relax with the thought, all the world is a stage. Here everyone feels at home and no one is an alien. Hospitality is a part of daily life even in the remote places of Kerala. All major different religious sects of India co-exist here in harmony here. Go to any random place in Kerala and look around, you are at a hub of faiths. This 100% literate state has wonderful offering of aesthetic treats in the form of its art forms and festivals.

Some major art forms in Kerala are :

• Koodiyattom
• Mohiniyattom
• Patakom
• Pallipana
• Kuthiyottam
• Mudiyettu
• Koothu
• Bhagavathyppattu
• Theeyattu
• Kavadiyattom
• Theyyam
• Kurathiyattom
• Kathakali
• Poorakali
• Thullal

Major Religious and Cultural events :

• Thrissur Pooram
• Attukal Pongala
• Nehru Trophy Boat Race
• Malayatoor Pilgrimage
• Perunkaliyattom in northern Kerala

Majority of the people of Kerala are Dravidians, who also inhibit most of the southern part Art of Kerala of India. Hinduism is the main religion with significant percentages of Muslims and Christians. Kerala is also known for Kathakali - a 300-year-old & famous dance form developed exclusively in the state combining the performing art forms of opera, ballet, masque, and pantomime. The dance is a beautiful blending of color, dance, music, drama, and expressions.

Onam is a time for sports and festivities and in Kerala-where one third of the area is generally low lying, covered with canals, lakes, and backwaters-the people take to their boats and country crafts to celebrate. Christmas is another festival that is celebrated with much vigor and enthusiasm in the state.

Kerala is known for its variety of pancakes and steamed rice cakes made from pounded rice. In seafood, mussels are a favorite for most of the people. For the Christians, who can be seen in large concentration in areas like Kottayam and Pala, ishtew with appam is a compulsion for every marriage reception. Kerala also has its own fermented beverages -the famous kallu (toddy) and patta charayam (arrack). Arrack is extremely intoxicating and is usually consumed with spicy pickles and boiled eggs (patta and mutta).