KERALA. Figure 1 : Kerala Location in India. 1 P a g e

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1 KERALA Kerala is one of the 28 states of India. Capital City: Thiruvananthapuram Language: Malayalam The etymology of Kerala is a matter of conjecture. According to the most accepted theory, Kerala is an imperfect Malayalam portmanteau that unites Kera(coconut) and alam( earth or place ). Another theory says that the name originated from the phrase chera alam( Terra dos cheras ). The Natives of Kerala, known as Keraleses or Malayalies, then refers to their land as Keralam. It was formed on 1 November 1956 following the States Reorganisation Act by combining Malayalamspeaking regions.it is believed that Parasurama is the creator of Kerala. He converted a portion of sea into land by throwing his axe. Figure 1 : Kerala Location in India 1 P a g e

2 Experience Kerala Kerala is also known as God s Own Country. Golden beaches, emerald backwaters, lofty mountain ranges, powerful art forms... the choices are many and so are the wonders that await you in Kerala. Come and take home what they call memories, the kind that makes life worth living. 2 P a g e Figure 2 : Kerala Map Kerala is renowned for some of its unique cultural and geographical characteristics. The practices and traditions handed down from generation to generation, alongside some of the natural wonders that we have been blessed with have attracted people to this land for centuries. From the ancient healthcare system of Ayurveda to our picturesque hill stations and diverse wildlife, we provide you with links to access a wide range of our specialities. We believe it is our duty to share these gifts with the rest of the world. These specialities of God s Own Country that are mentioned below.

3 1. Ayurveda Kerala possesses an unbroken tradition of Ayurveda that has surpassed many invasions and intrusions both foreign and native. For hundreds of years the Ayurveda Vaidyas (traditional practitioners of Ayurveda) were almost the only solution for people seeking healing from every kind of disease in Kerala. The legendary eight families of Vaidyas (Ashta vaidyas) and their successors treated the entire state for centuries. Unlike the other Indian states, the status of Ayurveda in Kerala is not that an alternative but is main stream. In fact, today, Kerala is the only State in India which practices this system of medicine with absolute dedication. Figure 3: ayurvedic_treatment Being the only resort of treatment for the people, the Vaidyars of Kerala were challenged to interpret the theories of Ayurveda and adapt them actively into effective healing systems in everyday life. Thus, almost all the contemporary procedures and protocols of Ayurveda have evolved in and around Kerala. 3 P a g e

4 The Boons of Nature The equable climate, natural abundance of forests and the cool Monsoon season of Kerala are best suited for Ayurveda's curative and restorative packages. Kerala is perhaps one of the few places on Earth where a temperature of degrees is maintained during a period of continuous rain. This prevalence of moisture in the air and on the surface of the skin makes it the ideal place for natural medicines to work at their highest levels of potency. The land is also blessed with in numerous medicinal plants and provides the continuity and consistency of Ayurveda medicines needed for effective treatment procedures. The same herbs with the same potency are available year after year across every season. The rich alkaloid content of the soil enhances the intensity and potency of many Ayurvedic medicines when compared to places with a different soil constitution. Figure 4: Kizhi kept in Oil Figure 5: Herbal oil for Massage 4 P a g e

5 Figure 6: Ayurvedic Medicines 2. Waterfalls Kerala is popular for having numerous majestic waterfalls. These scintillating cascades are famous picnic spots and excursion destinations round the year. The luscious Kerala waterfalls are a sight your eyes will never tire of feasting upon. 5 P a g e Figure 7: Athirapally Water Falls

6 3. Neelakurinji Every twelve years, the hills of Munnar in Kerala burst into a sea of blue, a rare natural spectacle for which travellers make a beeline for. An endless stretch of rolling hills carpeted with tiny blue flowers welcomes the visitors. It is the time Neelakurinji, a flower with 40 odd varieties, blossoms in all its grandeur. Figure 8 & 9 : Neelakurinji 4. Kerala Food Spices have always played an integral part of Kerala's history. Our food is an example of the very same and we have offerings for people from all over the world. Be it famous international restaurant chains or local eateries, we have everything a foodie could ask for prepared with that special Kerala taste to it. The cuisine here caters to vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Let the flavours of our past and our future take you on a delightful journey. 6 P a g e Figure 10: Appam&mutton

7 Figure 11: Kerala Sadhya Figure 12: Kanji We are very thoughtful about our health and hence we try to have a balanced diet. For most of our auspicious occasions we prefer 'Sadya', which includes a wide variety of vegetarian dishes that are rich in nutritional value. Figure 13 : Kerala sadhya items description 7 P a g e

8 5: Kerala Culture and Peoples The culture of Kerala is a synthesis of Aryan and Dravidian cultures, developed and mixed for centuries, under influences from other parts of India and abroad The arrival of Vasco da Gama, coming of foreign traders and invation by Portuguese defined a new cultural heritage in its people. Three main religions in Kerala are Hindu, Christians and Muslims. There are minor communities like Jews in some part of the state like Cochin. In Hindu people there are numerous caste divisions. Exquisite sculptures, music and dance forms can be seen in the historic development of Kerala's cultural traditions. Trissur Pooram, The traditions of Kathakali and Mohiniattam are highly developed art forms that have developed from their folk origins into highly evolved classical dance forms. Kathakali is a 300-year-old dance form developed exclusively in Kerala combiningthe performing art forms of opera, ballet, masque, and pantomime. The dance is a beautiful blending of color, dance, music, drama, and expressions. In a sense, a lot of the fame that the state has gained is mainly due to the popularity of this dance form. Other dance forms of Kerala are Krishnanattom, Mohiniyattom, Thullal, Koodiyattom, Kolkkali, Thiruvathirakali, Kakkarishi Natakom, Oppanna, and Chavittunatakom. Panchavadyam, Nadanpattu, Omanathinkal Kidavo and many more music forms have evolved over the centuries in Kerala. Figure 14 : Theyyam Figure 15 :Oppan(Muslim s MarriageDance) 8 P a g e

9 Figure 16 : Kathakali Figure 17 : Mohiniyattam Figure 18 : Kalaripayittu 9 P a g e

10 5.1 Dressing The traditional Kerala dress- Shirt and Mundu (Men) and Mundu and Neriyathu or saree (women). Figure 19: Mund & Shirt(MEN), Mundu & Neriyathu(Women) Figure 20: Shirt & Mundu(Men),Set mundu(women) Figure 21 : Kerala Wedding Shirt & Mundu (mens), Saree (Womens) 10 P a g e

11 6. Festivals Festivals in Kerala bring to the forefront some of our greatest traditions. They have carefully been passed down for centuries by our ancestors and it is our duty to ensure these customs are respected and remembered by the future generations as well. The following high-quality visuals have been handpicked to display some of the best moments from our festivals. These festivals are an integral part of our culture and represent the spirit of the Keralite at its finest. Communal harmony and peace are emphasised on as the people of the State rejoice together during these momentous events. Onam is celebrated as the main festival Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala. It is a harvest festival and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state by people of all communities. According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam. Figure 22 :Onam Celebrations 11 P a g e

12 Figure 23: Kalpathy Chariot Figure 24: Pulimkunnu Figure 25: Beemapali Uroos Figure 26:Vishu Figure 27: Thrissur Pooram 12 P a g e

13 Figure 28 : Aramula Boat Race There are numerous other things to explore and explain with Kerala. Kerala -Portugal History The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in Kerala. They were also the first foreign power that captured the governance anywhere in India. The arrival of Portuguese was the result of the many voyages the Europeans undertook since 14th century, to find new markets for their products and acquire new raw materials and products useful for them. On 20 May 1498, Vasco da Gama set foot on Kappad beach in Kozhikode. His expedition was sponsored by Portuguese king Manuel I. Till the arrival of Portuguese, the primary foreign trading partners of Kerala were the Arabs. Gama soon returned to Portugal.His follower was Pedro Alvares Cabral. He led the second expedition and reached Kozhikode in He met with Zamorin and the meeting went in favour of the Portuguese. The Zamorin allowed Cabral to build a trading center there.vasco da Gama reached Kerala for the second time in In 1505, the first Portuguese Viceroy came to Kerala. He was Fransisco Almeda. He and his group tried to consolidate their power in Kerala. As part of it, they built St. Angelo Fort at Kannur. 13 P a g e

14 Albuquerke was the Viceroy who followed Almeda. He was the most popular of the Portuguese viceroys in India. He encouraged the marriage between Indians and Portuguese. He banned Sati and shifted the Portuguese capital in India from Kochi to Goa. Following him, Loppo Sores, de Sequira, Duarte de Meneces, Gama and Henri de Meneces became the viceroys. Figure 29 : Vasco da Gama delivers the letter of King Manuel of Portugal to the Zamorin of Calicut Figure 30: Santa Cruz Basilica Cochin (Portuguese colonial church 1505, Kochi, Kerala, India) 14 P a g e

15 Figure 31 : Indo-Portuguese Museum, Fort Kochi The Portuguese left an indelible mark on our history and culture. The Indo-Portuguese Museum situated in Fort Kochi tries to encapsulate this bond. Their influence on the art and architecture of the region is on full display here. The constant efforts of late Dr. Joseph Kureethra, Bishop of Kochi, played an integral role in its formation so that future generations could understand the Indo-Portuguese Christian Art heritage. The museum is divided into five main sections - Altar, Treasure, Procession, Civil Life and Cathedral. One can see a piece of the altar made in teak wood (16th century) from the Church of Our Lady of Hope, Vypeen, a chasuble (19th century) from Bishop's House, Fort Kochi, Processional cross, which is a combination of silver and wood (17th century) from Santa Cruz Cathedral, Fort Kochi, Indo-Portuguese Monstrance (18-19th century), from The Church of Our Lady of Hope, Vypeen. The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation contributed sculptures, precious metal objects and vestments, among others from the Cathedral of Santa Cruz and other churches of the Kochi diocese. All these and much more chronicle the important relationship shared by our respective cultures. Kerala-Portugal Relations 15 P a g e

16 The Portuguese culture that dominated in the state for a century and half has donated lot of things to the Kerala culture as well. These are the primary changes induced by the Portuguese intrusion. The Portuguese encouraged agriculture and experimented scientifical and innovative reforms. They imported productive cocunut seeds and expanded the cocunut production. The coir trade also flourished. New vegetables and trees were introduced to Kerala including Papaya, Pine Apple, Cashew, Watermelon, Indian Beans and Guava. They introduced European style in architecture here, mainly in Churches and residential buildings. Bunglaws of Euopean model started to be built. The use of cosmetics and other items rose gradually. They also brought their style of dress here. The Portuguese popagated the use of European weapons and weaponry in Kerala. The building of forts got popular. Fort Manuel built in 1503 at Kochi was the first fort in India built by Europeans. The Keralites learned to use and make guns and canons. The Portuguese focused on building new towns and markets. It led to the development of Calicut, Cochin and Chaliyam while old towns, such as Kollam and Kodungalloor, were relegated. They promoted Roman Catholicism and as a part of it, established colleges in Kochi and Angamaly. Portuguese and Latin languages were promoted. They built printing press at Kochi and Vypin. The Portuguese contributed many words to Malayalam. The language got new words such as Lelam, Chavi, Vijagiri, Alamara, Verantha, Mesha, Chaya, Kasera and Vikari from the contact with the Portuguese. 16 P a g e

17 Kerala Restaurant Lisbon, Portugal South Indian cuisine is the term used to represent those dishes originating from the four southern states of India Andra Pradesh Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnadu. What started off as a unique dream of offering delicious dishes to nourish the body, mind, and soul, turned into a family business named in 'Kerala Restaurant' where we offer some of the finest South Indian cuisines and spreading our culture. It is our humble attempt to introduce a variety of authentic dishes especially light and simple authentic curries from the land of coconuts now known as 'God's own Country'. Figure 32: Kerala Restaurant Chef is ready to cook food For You Kerala restaurant R. Infantaria 16 37A, Lisboa, P a g e

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