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Kerala means ‘land of coconut trees’ but popularly known as ‘Gods own Country’ and legend has it that the Gods created Kerala from the sea.A truly beautiful narrow strip of land occupying the south western tip of India with the mountainous Western Ghats on the one side and the Arabian Sea on the other it is blessed with every imaginable nature’s bounty.Its pristine beaches, languid backwaters, thundering waterfalls, lush hill stations, sprawling plantations of cardamom, sandalwood, pepper,spices,green paddy fields,exotic wildlife,wild tropical forests with the most diverse fauna and flora together with enchanting festivals, welcoming people and a mouth-watering cuisine makes this a must see destination and a travellers paradise!
Kerala has an entire network of inland waterways consisting of lakes, canals, estuaries stretching thousands of kilometers providing a vital link to many inaccessible and rural communities to the mainland. The most popular way of exploring this amazingly beautiful waterways are in converted rice barges with every imaginable comfort and an enthralling way to experience the idyllic way of rural life in the backwaters. Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake with a main attraction being the bird sanctuary spread across 14 acres, it is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live in flocks are a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds is a boat trip round the islands. Thattekad and Myladumpara are the other two bird sanctuaries for birding enthusiasts.
The jungles of Kerala are famous for its tigers and elephants besides other animals like sambal deer, lion tailed monkeys, Ibex,leopards and wild buffaloes.These jungles abound in endemic species and offer the adventurous a challenging experience of a lifetime.As if that’s not enough, Kerala boasts of 100% literacy,lowest infant mortality and highest life expectancy rates, world class health care and enjoys harmonious relations between its Hindus, Christians, Jews, Muslims who are intrinsically linked to the cultural heritage of Kerala which is evident everywhere.
HISTORY
Trading in Kerala then known as Malabar began sometime in the 1st century BC with Greek and Roman traders sailing to Kerala looking for its priceless exotic spices while the Chinese, Egyptians, Babylonians and Phoenicians all had trade relations with the Malabar coast. Jainism and Buddhism were the main religions then with Hinduism taking hold by the 3rd century BC. Christianity came with St. Thomas who landed in Kerala in 52AD and Malik-Ibn-Dinar, disciple of prophet Mohammed brought Islam around 643AD. The first Europeans came with Marco Polo in 1320 but an established sea route began with Portuguese Vasco da Gama who landed near present day Calicut in Kerala in 1498 and later established a trading agreement with the Raja of Cochin which continued for over 150 years. The Dutch arrived in Cochin and Kannur in 1663 while the East India Company entered into a trading agreement with the Zamorin of Calicut in 1625. The muslim invasion of Kerala began with Hyder Ali in 1766 and ended with the death of his son Tipu Sultan at the hands of the British who ruled until Independence in 1947.
The present Kerala was established after the states reorganisation Act in 1956. Cochin or Kochi as its officially known is the Capital and Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have left indelible marks on the history and development of Cochin. Over the years, Cochin has emerged as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala and is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India. Cochin has Asia's best preserved Synagogue, the Dutch Palace and the oldest European Church in India - the St. Francis Church. Built in 1510 by friars brought to India by Vasco da Gama, is the first European church built in India and is the site where Vasco da Gama was buried. The Jewish Synagogue was built in 1568, Chinese hand-painted tiles are one of the attraction. This, the only Synagogue in India has a nostalgic past of a Jewish Diaspora. The "Dutch Palace" was built in the 1550s; the palace contains excellent mythological murals and a rare example of traditional Keralite flooring - a subtle mix of burnt coconut shells, lime, plant juices and egg whites - which gives the effect of polished marble.
Festivals of Kerala
Trissur Pooram is the annual temple festival in Trichur held in April/May which is a spectacular procession of ten temple deities. Thirty richly decorated elephants lead the procession with the priests atop under parasol umbrellas.At night this
is accompanied by flaming torches and fireworks. A colourful, spectacular celebration and pageantry.
The most famous and awaited event of Kerala is the Onam festival. Falling in the month of September,the harvest season of Kerala, this festival is celebrated as the national festival of Kerala and is a perfect time for family get-together and fun. Onam is celebrated as the homecoming of Mahabali, the virtuous king of Kerala.During this 10-day festival,houses are decorated with flowers and women huddle and dance together, celebrating happiness.Boat races (regatta) also form another item of onam festival which attract thousands of people including tourists from outside the state, particularly to the famous Snake boat race at Alleppey.
Folk Dances & Music of Kerala
Kathakali
Kerala owes its transnational fame to this nearly 300 years old classical dance form which combines facets of ballet, opera, masque and the pantomime. It is said to have evolved from other performing arts like Kootiyattam, Krishnanattam and Kalarippayattu. Kathakali explicates ideas and stories from the Indian epics and Puranas. Unique among the Indian dance forms, Kathakali is the classical dance - drama of Kerala. Vivid and eloquent in its characteristics mudras (hand signs), natural and impressive in gesture, graceful and rhythmic in movement, pleasing in choreography and above all delightful in wealth of imagery, Kathakali ranks high among the Indian dance forms.
Chavittunatakom
A Christian art form of Kerala. Evolved at the turn of the 16th Century AD during the Portuguese colonization and bears definite traces of the European Christian Miracle Play. In this musical drama, the actors wear Greco-Roman costumes and even the stage props bear several foreign influences.
Oppana
A dance form essential to the wedding entertainment and festivities of the Malabar Muslims. Maidens and young female relatives sing and dance around the bride, clapping their hands.The songs of Mappilappattu, are first sung by the leader and are repeated by the chorus.
Krishnanattom
A spectacle for both the scholar and the simple rustic. The visual effect is enhanced by varied and colourful facial make-up with larger-than-life-masks, made of light wood and cloth padding, for certain characters. The characters who do not wear masks have specific facial colours applied within the frame of a white chutti.
Mohiniyattom
The sinuous dance of the enchantress, this is a distinctive classical dance form of Kerala. Slow, graceful, swaying movements of the body and limbs and highly emotive eye and hand gestures are unique to this dance form. The simple, elegant gold-filigreed dress, in pure white or ivory, is akin to the traditional attire of the women of Kerala.
Kakkarissi natakom
Kakkarissi natakom is a satirical dance-drama based on the puranic legends of Lord Siva and his consort Parvati when they assumed human forms as Kakkalan and Kakkathi - a nomadic tribe of fortune tellers. The legend only serves as a skeletal framework for the play, which often turns into a subtle critique of contemporary society.
Thiruvathirakali
Thiruvathirakali is a dance performed by women, in order to attain everlasting marital bliss, on Thiruvathira day in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December- January). The dance is a celebration of marital fidelity and the female energy, for this is what brought Kamadeva (the god of love) back to life after he was reduced to ashes by the ire of Lord Siva.
Kolkkali
A folk art mainly of the agrarian classes, Kolkkali is a highly rhythmic dhey never miss a beat. In Malabar, Kolkkali is more popular among Muslim men.
Thullal
Thullal is a solo performance combining the dance and recitation of stories in verse. Staged during temple festivals, the performer explicates the verses through expressive gestures. The themes are based on mythology. This satiric art form was introduced in the18th century by the renowned poet Kunchan Nambiar.
Kootiyattom
Kootiyattam literally means "acting together". This is the earliest classical dramatic art form of Kerala. Based on Sage Bharatha's 'Natyasasthra' who lived in the second century, Kootiyattam evolved in the 9th century AD. Kootiyattam is enacted inside the temple theatre, there are two or more characters onstage at the same time, with the Chakkiars providing the male cast and the Nangiars playing the female roles. The Nangiars beat the cymbals and recite verses in Sanskrit, while in the background Nambiars play the Mizhavu, a large copper drum.
Duffmuttu
Duffmuttu is also known as Aravanamuttu. It is a group performance popular among the Muslims of Malabar. Duffmuttu is staged as a social event during festivals and nuptial ceremonies.
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