kerala

culture of Kerala
The culture of Kerala is quite affluent and rich. Being home for numerous people of varied religious and social communities, culture of Kerala has adopted a complex and cosmopolitan outlook. It is a place of habitat of various Dravidian races, Hindus and Muslims too occupies a considerable portion of the total population of Kerala. The exotic beaches, palm trees are nicely enmeshed with the treasure of the culture and tradition of its inhabitants. The multiple cultural molds, espoused by the Keralites beautify the whole of cultural heritage of Indian territory and become its integral part. Culture, thus becomes a conglomeration of diversified, yet robust, socio- ethnic practices and norms, nicely manifested in its elements. Music, dance, festivals, cuisine and lifestyle of Keralites testify this exuberance of culture of Kerala.

The culture of Kerala have invariably basked a rich influence and support from its patrons starting from the ancient kings who governed the state to the democratic governments of the later period.

Festivals
The colorful festivals celebrated by the keralites are an integral element of the culture of Kerala. It has much to offer to all the culture fanciers of India and elsewhere. Kerala is a land of numerous temples whose premises are transformed into festival grounds where thousands of people participate with great joy and enthusiasm. Although the festivals commemorate worship of gods and religious beliefs, theses events are turned into social events, rich in fun and frolic. No festival feting is fruitful without an elephant pageant and this makes the festivals of Kerala to remain stand apart from those of the rest of the country. Nowadays, folk dances, music and rites add on a special attraction among the people. In Kerala, Onam festival is observed in the honor of the legendary King Mahabali . Flower carpets deck the entrée of every household. Also a gala feast is and cultural performances are colligated with the festival.

The Sabarimala Temple Festival is held at the Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala in the Western Ghats of Kerala. The most vital day of this festival is the Makkara Vilakku day It is believed that on that day a light on a neighboring hill confirms the arrival of the deity. Among temple festivals , Trissur Pooram , held at Trissur, is the most famous ; thirty elephants nicely barbed are being brought out along with huge cue of exalting percussionists. Dance, merriment, playing with fireworks - all heightens the momentum of the festival to a great extent.

Music and dance
The culture of Kerala is not easy to comprehend by the outsiders without enjoying its treasure house of musical melodies and extravagant dance styles. The culture of kerala still remains invincible as far as the splendor and creativeness of the music and dance forms are concerned.

Performing art forms like Kathakali, Mohiniattam are an integral part of the Kerelean society. Kathakali is a part of Indian classical dance. It is very dramatic in its presentation, narrating sagas of Indian epics. Luxuriant costumes are a key feature of this dance format and dancers spend hours to deck up. Mohiniattam is known as the dance of the ethereal temptress. Traditional white sari with a gilded border is typical of Kerelean attire. The dancers wear these during performance.

The people of Kerela cherish martial art forms and Kalaripayattu is one such example. The rulers initiated this art style. It postulates fighting with weapons and doing acrobatic acts and practices. Folk dances and its performing styles are quite gorgeous and vibrant; Theyyam - famous for its awful cloaks and the performer is almost in enchanting grogginess,

Thiruvathirakali - the women performed this elegant dance during Onam and Kaikotikalli -a dance executed by women to fete a wedding. Kerala has `desi` solar calendar called the Malayalam calendar. It is an art piece proving the prowess of the Keralites.

Lyrical and spiritual `ragas` and `talas` of Carnatic music predominates the Keralite `gharana`. In addition, Kerala has its own native music system, sopanam, which is a sorrowful and bit-by-bit rendition of raga-based songs. It forms the background music in kathakali. The other traditional music of Kerala also consists of melam performed with the help of instrument known as the chenda. Panchavadyam is a differing type of percussion ensemble consisting of five types of percussion instruments. The culture of Kerala also constitutes of several tribal and folk art forms. Oppana is in boom, especially among the communities of Keralite Muslims and also amongst natives of Malabar. It integrates a group dance followed by the rhythm of applause and `ishal` articulations.

Cuisine
Cuisine is a salient feature of the culture of Kerala. The cuisine is very hot and spicy and the Keralites love to experiment with the dishes. . The food is generally fresh, aromatic and seasoned. Rice and fish are staple food in Kerala . Coconut is widely used in every sort of dish ; ample use of chilies, curry leaves, tamarind, ` hing` made the food really tangy and sourish. The Keralite foodies also relish a simple dish like `kanji` (rice gruel) and also an exuberant feast namely `sadya` . Avial, is a hot favorite among Keralites. It is prepared by mixing vegetables, coconut paste and green chilies. `Kottucurry` is prepared by cutting the potatoes in cubes . Onions and green chilies are mixed a nd then cooked in coconut milk with enough of red chili. `Olan`, a suave dish of pumpkin and red grams is cooked by using gravy of coconut milk.The people of Kerela have developed liking for mouthwatering deserts. Payasam is a thick fluid dish of brown molasses, coconut milk and spices, garnished with cashew nuts and raisins. It is dished out midway during meals, along with a yellow sweet pancake , namely `boli`. Rasam is a concoction of chilly and pepper corns powders and it is churned in diluted tamarind juice. The pulissery is mollified with buttermilk with turmeric powder and green chilies.

Different types of tasty cakes are prepared here. Appam is the soft pancake and it is consumed with either vegetables or chicken or mutton stew. A type of steam cake, `Puttu` is made from rice flour and boiled in long hollow bamboo or metal cylinders. In Kerala a sumptuous fish curry is prepared with garlic paste, onions and red chilies and flavored with mustard seeds and curry leaves.

Lifestyle
The study of the lifestyle of Keralites enables us to get acquainted with the culture of Kerala. Coastal region present the tourists the tranquility and calm of mind and therefore is favorite destination for all nature lovers. Kochi (Cochin) Alappuzha, Kollam, Kumarakom, Kozhikode and Varkala are popular tourist spots . Numerous costly hotels are constructed , deluxe hotels catering to international travelers to comfortable mid-range hotels become ideal resting grounds for the tourists , enjoying the celestial beauty of this region of India. Although the people spend time in also festival bonanza, along with singing and dancing , education is least neglected. That education is being given top priority, the highest literacy rate (91%) bears a proof of it. Kerala`s above-unity female-to-male ratio-1.058-also distinguishes it from the rest of India. Health and hygiene are maintained and Kerali Ayurvedic treatment is also acknowledged worldwide. Kerala`s society is less patriarchical than the other states in India where women enjoy an equitable status in every aspect. The state is also thronged with painters, poets, artists reaching its zenith parse in creativity and prowess.

Malayam is the official language spoken by the people . Malayalam literature, too, is endowed with talents and creativity . The marvelous works of 14th century Niranam poets commemorate the aurora of both modern Malayalam language and indigenous Keralite poetry. The "triumvirate of poets" has discerned Keralite poetry from primitive sophistication, thus contributing to its lyrical style. Literaute Arundhati Roy is one such renowned name in the international arena.

Kerala , the land of coconuts , maritime shores enthralls the people with lyrical hymns and festival fiesta , nicely juxtaposing the trends and customary practices of its multi- communal denizens, thereby aiding the culture of Kerala to imbibe a cosmopolitan nature .