Culture of Kerala
Kerala is a beautiful place flanked by green emerald landscapes, with the western ghats on the either side and the Arabian sea on the other side. Popularly known as ‘God’s own country’, the state boasts rich colorful culture, featuring folk dance and music, varieties of cuisines and celebrations of festivals on grand scale. The culture of Kerala is unique in character, originated by the influence of countless facets of several cultures. It was sprouted as a combination of Aryan and Dravidian culture.
Traditional Costumes
The traditional costume is a cultural visual of the Keralites. Dress code seems to be very simple and decent in appearance. Mundu and Neriathu are the traditional forms of costumes worn by men and women. Mundu is referred to lower garment worn around the hips and the other one is the upper garment. The hand woven Mundu is very comfortable during the summer season. Saree and blouse forms the integral attire for women.
Festivals
The colorful mosaic religious and regional festivals are celebrated with great pomp and grandeur. Every festival is associated with some kind of religious legacy. During the festive season, the folk, classical and ritual arts turns out to be more lively. Some of the major cultural events are the Onam festival, the annual Snake Boat Races and the temple festival at Thrissur. Other famous festivals includes Navaratri, Maha Shivratri, Diwali, Bakri Id, Muharram and Ramadan, Easter and Christmas.
Dance and Music
Kerala has been considered as the seat of classical dance forms such as Kathakali, Koodiyattom, Krishnanattom, Kolkkali, Mohiniyattom, thiruvathirakali, Kakkarishi, Natakom, Chavittunatakom and Oppanna. These dances are characterized by its elaborate costumes and attractive make-up. Men and women puts on colorful classical attires, adorned with heavy accessories. All the dance forms depicts the varied emotions such as love, joy, sorrow, anger, valor and courage. Some significant forms of music played in Kerala are Panchavadyam, Nadanpattu, Omanathinkal Kidavo and many other soothing music forms had evolved over past decades.
Cuisines
Explore the rich tradition of Kerala in its cuisines, which boasts immense variety of food habits. Visit Kerala to experience the exotic flavors of myriad dishes. The Kerala cuisines consists of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Keralites are fond of rice and fish, included in their everyday meal. Relish at different varieties of sea food including mussels, fish etc. Popular vegetarian dishes includes steamed rice cakes and variety of pancakes. Coconut is mostly used in various dishes and curries. The chief ingredients of the food items includes chillies, curry leaf, mustard seed, tamarind and asafoetida. The added flavor makes the food scrumptious, hot and spicy. Some popular dishes of Kerala comprises of Tangy Rasam, Appam, Puttu and Tapioca and fish curry.