Art, Culture and Cuisine of Kerala

The rich heritage of God's Own Country- Kerala can be seen in all aspects of its culture, beginning from its exquisite paintings and handicrafts, the various music and dance forms, the architectural superiority of its numerous temples and last but not the least in its delicious cuisine that has the most fastidious of choosy eater licking his fingers in appreciation.

Kerala Arts and Crafts
Kerala's rich tradition of painting has its roots in the magnificent Frescoes and Mural found in the temples and the churches. The unique mural paintings of Kerala with their aesthetic composition are par excellence. Witness the best of mural paintings at the Padmanabhapuram Palace that is a riot of colors and motifs.

The handicrafts of Kerala are also quite famous and their popularity can be gauged by the way handcrafted items such as Polished Coconut Ashtrays, Lamp Stands, Flower Vases, Coir Carpets and Floor Mats, Reed Mats, Purses, Bags and Carved Wooden Furniture are zapped up in the export markets. Kerala is especially famous for its carvings, intricate metal work, granite idols, coir, coconut shell products, Snake Boat models and other figurines.

Kerala Cuisine
The cuisine of Kerala mostly consists of vegetarian fare with seafood being the exception. Being the spice capital of the country, the cuisine of Kerala is conspicuous by its high use of spices. Also coconut is a main ingredient, which is liberally used in generally all the food preparations. Some of the most popular dishes of Kerala that you must simple savor during your tour of Kerala are: Tangy Rasam, Appam, Puttu, Tapioca and Fish Curry.

Kerala Language and Literature
Malayalam is the regional language of Kerala. A very old language, Malayalam is derived from the ancient Sanskrit language and even to this date, many Sanskrit words are liberally used both in the written and oral forms. Literary works in Malayalam are believed to be in existence from the 13^th century onwards. The earliest records of literary works in Malayalam are in the form of folk songs and ballads and were collectively known as 'Manipravalam'. Other great literary works in Malayalam include 'Adhyatma Ramayanam' and 'Mahabharatham' which were written (adapted) by Thunchathu Ramanujam Ezhuthachan in the 16^th century.

Unnai Warrier's 'Nalacharithum Attakatha' is considered a classic. Ramapurathu Warrier's 'Vanchippattu' (Boat songs) and Kunchan Nambiar's 'Thullalppattu' formed two other literary branches. In 17^th century also saw Malayali literature branch into another direction with advent of Kathakali, the folk dance of Kerala, known as 'Attakatha', the narrative base for the Kathakali performance.

Malayali poets such as Changampuzha Krishna Pillai, K. Ayappa Panicker, Ponkannam Varkey, Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, P. Kesavadev and Vaikom Mohammad Basheer all contributed to the growth of literature in Kerala.

• Kerala Ayurveda
• Museums of Kerala
• Art, Culture & Cuisine of Kerala
• Yoga & Meditation in Kerala

A Journey to India offers information on Art, Culture and Cuisine of Kerala and online booking for tours and travel packages to Kerala and other destinations in India. To book a tour or for more information, please fill up the query form provided below.