Culture of Kerala
The culture of
Kerala traces its non-prehistoric cultural genesis to its membership (around the AD 3rd century) in a vaguely defined historical region known as Thamizhagom – a land defined by a common
Kerala showcases a culture unique to itself developed through accommodation, acculturation and assimilation of various faculties of civilized lifestyle.Strong communitarian values, wit and an appreciation for social progressivism are commonly associated with Malayali Culture[10][11][12][13][14].
Performing arts
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Native traditions of classical
Kerala also has several tribal and folk art forms. For example,
However, many of these native art forms largely play to tourists or at youth festivals and are not as popular among ordinary Keralites. Thus, more contemporary forms – including those heavily based on the use of often risqué and
Music
The
Literature
The
Designated a "
The
In the second half of the 20th century,
Folklore
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The folklore of Kerala includes elements from the traditional lifestyle of the people of Kerala. The traditional beliefs, customs, rituals etc. are reflected in the folkart and songs of Kerala.
Kerala has a rich tradition of Folklore.
The folk arts of Kerala can be broadly classified under two heads:[57] ritualistic and non-ritualistic. Ritualistic folk arts can be further divided into two: devotional and magical. Devotional folk arts are performed to propitiate a particular God or Goddess.
- Theyyam: Theyyam is a traditional ritualistic dance form from the northern part of Kerala, India, that is believed to have originated over 1,500 years ago. It is a vibrant and colorful art form that involves elaborate makeup, costumes, and dance performances that are often accompanied by music and chanting. The dance form is performed by male members of certain communities and is believed to invoke the powers of gods and goddesses to bless the community with prosperity and protection. Theyyam is an integral part of the cultural heritage of Kerala and is performed during the winter months between October and May.
- Padayani is a traditional folk art form from the southern part of Kerala, India, that involves elaborate processions and performances. It is usually performed during the festival of Onam, which falls in the month of August or September. The art form involves the use of masks, costumes, and props, and the performers dance to the beats of traditional percussion instruments like chenda and thakil. The masks used in Padayani are usually made of wood, bamboo, or clay and are adorned with bright colors and intricate designs. The performance is usually based on mythological stories or social issues and is intended to entertain and educate the audience. Padayani is an important cultural tradition in Kerala and is recognized as an important form of community expression and identity.
- Thirayattam is a traditional folk art form from the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is a ritualistic performance that is usually performed in the courtyards of temples dedicated to goddesses like Kali, Durga, and Bhadrakali. The performance involves elaborate costumes and makeup, and the performers dance to the beats of traditional percussion instruments like chenda and thakil. Thirayattam is performed by members of certain communities and is believed to invoke the powers of goddesses to bless the community with prosperity and protection. The art form is an integral part of the cultural heritage of Kerala and is usually performed during the festival of Onam, which falls in the month of August or September.
Onam
(Malayalam: ഓണം) Onam is a harvest festival celebrated extravagantly by the people of Kerala, India. It is also the state festival of Kerala with State holidays on 4 days starting from Onam Eve (Uthradom) to the 4th Onam Day. Onam Festival falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug – Sep) and marks the commemoration of Vamana avatara of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of King Mahabali, who Malayalees consider to be just and fair King who was exiled to the underworld. Onam is reminiscent of Kerala's agrarian past, as it is considered to be a harvest festival. It is one of the festivals celebrated with the most number of cultural elements. Some of them are Vallam Kali, Pulikkali, Pookkalam, Onatthappan, Thumbi Thullal, Onavillu, Kazhchakkula, Onapottan, Atthachamayame etc.
Another distinct feature of the festival is 'Onam Sadhya' (Onam Feast) and consists of numerous dishes served on a banana leaf and 'Onam Kodi' (new dress for the special occasion). Usual the Onam Sadhya consist of numerous side dishes along with rice and Onam Kodi is traditional dress. Both are eagerly observed by the youth with excitement.
Politics
The people of Kerala are very fond of politics. Majority of keralites belong to either one of the political alliances namely
Martial arts and sports
Kerala also has its own indigenous form of
Calendar
Kerala also has an indigenous ancient solar calendar – the Malayalam calendar – which is used in various communities primarily for timing agricultural and religious activities.
Elephants in Kerala culture
The
Sarpa Kavu (meaning Sacred Grove of the Serpent) is a typically small traditional grove of trees seen in the Kerala state of South India. These pristine groves usually have representations of several Naga Devatas (serpent gods), which were worshipped by the joint families or taravads. This was part of Nagaradhana (snake worship) which was prevalent among Keralites during past centuries. It had been practised by nearly every Hindu community in Kerala ranging from Nambudiri Brahmins to tribal communities.
See also
Notes
- ^ A. Sreedhara Menon (1978) Cultural Heritage of Kerala: an introduction. East-West Publications
- ^ ISBN 965-278-179-7.
- ^ (Bhagyalekshmy 2004, p. 7).
- ^ Nayar, Balachandran (1974) In quest of Kerala
- ^ Smith, Bardwell (1976) Religion and social conflict in South Asia, Brill Publishers
- ^ (Bhagyalekshmy 2004, p. 6).
- ISBN 0-878-55415-7
- ^ Filippo Osella, Caroline Osella (2000) Social mobility in Kerala: modernity and identity in conflict. Pluto Press
- ^ University of Kerala. Dept. of History, University of Allahabad. Dept. of Modern Indian History, University of Travancore (1966) Journal of Indian history: Volume 44
- ^ "Opinion | Geeta Menon | Why Kerala Means Strong Women, Intermingling Cultures and Education - NYU Stern". www.stern.nyu.edu. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ISSN 0970-0293.
- ISSN 2331-1886.
- ISSN 1474-6689.
- ISSN 0019-5804.
- ISBN 978-81-200-4294-0
- ^ "Margam Kali – History, Text, Lyrics, Theme, Early Reference and Modern Developments | Nasranis". Nasrani.net. 8 June 2009. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- ^ (Bhagyalekshmy 2004d, p. 29).
- ^ (Bhagyalekshmy 2004d, p. 32).
- ^ a b c d Mathrubhumi Yearbook Plus – 2019 (Malayalam ed.). Kozhikode: P. V. Chandran, Managing Editor, Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Company Limited, Kozhikode. 2018. p. 453. ASIN 8182676444.
- ^ "Kollam Era" (PDF). Indian Journal History of Science. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 May 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
- ^ Broughton Richmond (1956), Time measurement and calendar construction, p. 218
- ^ R. Leela Devi (1986). History of Kerala. Vidyarthi Mithram Press & Book Depot. p. 408.
- ^ Naha, Abdul Latheef (24 September 2020). "Jnanpith given to Akkitham". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
- ^ ANI (29 November 2019). "Celebrated Malayalam poet Akkitham wins 2019 Jnanpith Award". Business Standard. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
- ^ "'Classical' status for Malayalam". The Hindu. Thiruvananthapuram, India. 24 May 2013. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Dr. K. Ayyappa Panicker (2006). A Short History of Malayalam Literature. Thiruvananthapuram: Department of Information and Public Relations, Kerala.
- ^ Arun Narayanan (25 October 2018). "The Charms of Poonthanam Illam". The Hindu.
- ^ Freeman, Rich (2003). "Genre and Society: The Literary Culture of Premodern Kerala". In Literary Cultures in History: Reconstructions from South Asia
- ISBN 978-81-264-2157-2.
- ^ "August 23, 2010 Archives". Archived from the original on 27 April 2013.
- ^ a b "New university centre for Arabi Malayalam". Deccan Chronicle. 15 October 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
- ^ Mathrubhumi Yearbook Plus – 2019 (Malayalam ed.). Kozhikode: P. V. Chandran, Managing Editor, Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Company Limited, Kozhikode. 2018. p. 454. ASIN 8182676444.
- ISBN 978-8177552720. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^ Accessions List, South Asia. E.G. Smith for the U.S. Library of Congress Office, New Delhi. 1994. p. 21. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^ Indian Writing Today. Nirmala Sadanand Publishers. 1967. p. 21. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ISBN 978-0836424232. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^ Malayalam Literary Survey. Kerala Sahitya Akademi. 1993. p. 19. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ISBN 978-8126018833. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ISBN 978-8126900930. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ISBN 978-1906165017. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^ Lyall, Sarah (15 October 1997). "Indian's First Novel Wins Booker Prize in Britain". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 November 2007.
- ^ "South Asian arts". Retrieved 15 September 2017.
- ISSN 2590-3691.
- hdl:10603/213506.
- ISSN 2590-3691.
- ^ "Mappila songs cultural fountains of a bygone age, says MT". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 31 March 2007. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
- ^ Pg 167, Mappila Muslims: a study on society and anti colonial struggles By Husain Raṇdathaṇi, Other Books, Kozhikode 2007
- hdl:10603/49524.
- ^ Panakkal, Abbas (2016). Islam in Malabar (1460-1600) : a socio-cultural study /. Kulliyyah Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia. Archived from the original on 27 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ Kallen, hussain Randathani. "Trade and Culture: Indian Ocean Interaction on the COast of Malabar in Medieval Period".
- ^ Miller, Roland. E., "Mappila" in "The Encyclopedia of Islam". Volume VI. E. J. Brill, Leiden. 1987. pp. 458-56.
- ^ Malayalam Resource Centre
- ^ Menon. T. Madhava. "A Handbook of Kerala, Volume 2", International School of Dravidian Linguistics, 2002. pp. 491-493.
- ^ National Virtual Translation Center – Arabic script for malayalam
- ^ "Kerala Folklore Akademi". 8 March 2012. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012.
- ^ P.J. Cherian (ed.). "Essays on the Cultural Formation of Kerala". Keralahistory.ac.in. Archived from the original on 10 March 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- ISBN 978-81-7533-032-0. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
References
- Bhagyalekshmy, S (2004), "Contribution of Travancore to Karnatic Music" (PDF), Information & Public Relations Department – Thiruvananthapuram (Government of Kerala), archived from the original (PDF) on 20 February 2006, retrieved 12 January 2006.
- Bhagyalekshmy, S (2004d), "Contribution of Travancore to Karnatic Music" (PDF), Information & Public Relations Department – Thiruvananthapuram (Government of Kerala): 29–37, archived from the original (PDF) on 20 February 2006, retrieved 20 January 2006
Further reading
- Dr. K. Ayyappa Panicker (2006). A Short History of Malayalam Literature. Thiruvananthapuram: Department of Information and Public Relations, Kerala.
- Menon, A. Sreedhara (2007). A Survey of Kerala History. DC Books. ISBN 9788126415786.
- Mathrubhumi Yearbook Plus – 2019 (Malayalam ed.). Kozhikode: P. V. Chandran, Managing Editor, Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Company Limited, Kozhikode. 2018.
External links
- Princeton.edu, more on the performing arts.
