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The ancient history of Kerala is shrouded in the mists of tradition.
The most popular legend would have it that the land crust that forms the
State was raised from the depths of the ocean. According to the legend,
Parasurama, the Brahmin avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, waged an
epic series of vengeful wars on the Kshatriyas. But later he was struck
by remorse at the violence and annihilation and decided to offer severe
penance atop the mountain heights. As atonement, the gods asked Parasurama
to throw his battle axe into the water and give away the land that rises
from the seas to the kin of the Brahmins whom he had killed. The sage did
as he was told and heaved his mighty axe into the midst of the distant ocean.
The waves foamed and frothed as a prawn-shaped land extending from Gokarnam
to Kanyakumari surfaced from the depths of the sea to form the state and hence
the sobriquet - "Gods own Country".
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People
& Culture
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The people of Kerala in South India hold a special place of honour among the people who have enriched Indian cultural heritage and helped the cause of national integration. The culture of Kerala is, in fact, an integral part of Indian culture. The state, much like the Indian sub-continent, boasts a culture whose history runs well into the recesses of antiquity. Kerala's culture is a composite and cosmopolitan culture to which several people and races have made significant contributions. Through the ages, Kerala has displayed a genius for adaptation as well as fusion of tradition and new values in every sphere of human thought and endeavour. The gradual evolution of a composite and cosmopolitan culture in the land led to the birth of a spirit of tolerance and catholicity of outlook, which still persists among the people here.
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The history of Kerala unfolds the romantic and fascinating
story of a land that opened its hearts to the many
people, races and communities that came seeking its
riches and of the evolution of a unique process of
cultural synthesis and social assimilation. And the
culture of Kerala has persisted through the ages precisely
for these reasons - of antiquity, unity, continuity
and universality of its nature. In its widest sense
the people and culture of Kerala embraces the highest
achievements of the human spirit. And in its totality,
she represents the quintessence of the collective
achievements of a people - in the fields of religion
and philosophy, art and architecture, language and
literature, education and learning and economic and
social organisation.
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Location,
Geography, & Climate
Kerala is a lush and verdant strip of land lying quite inconspicuously
in the southern tip of India. Beautiful and refreshingly green, this Indian state lies along a sun-drenched
coastline flanked by the Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats on the east. From the seas lapping at
its golden coastline in the west, the land of Kerala, covered with verdant coconut trees, rises up to the
mountains of the Western Ghats - the mountain ranges that extend some 1,500 kms long from the southern tip
of the peninsula right up to Mumbai.
The Western Ghats form
an almost continuous mountain wall bordering
Kerala. It is broken only near Palakkad
where there is a natural mountain pass
known as the Palakkad Gap. These mountains
of Kerala, varying in height from 3,000
feet to as high as 8,000 feet, act as
a natural barrier on the eastern border
of the State. They also help the land
to sucessfully reap the bounties of the
Southwest and Northeast monsoons. The
mountains once boasted thick forests and
much wildlife. However, over the years,
the trees have been cut down to make way
for the ever-growing population of the
plains. From the Western Ghats, the land
slopes to the west on to the plains and
into an unbroken coastline. The nature
of the terrain and its physical features,
divides an east west cross section of
the state into three district regions
- hills and valleys , midland plains and
the coastal region. |
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The land of Kerala has been a thriving international business hub for
centuries. While the mountains of Kerala drew tourists to it for their agreeable climate
and proximity to wildlife sanctuaries, in the olden days it was more well-known for its
spices, earning it the name - the Spice Coast of India.
The mountain ranges of Kerala are home to most of the world's spices and
have over the centuries attained a certain mystique. A visit to one of the many coffee
plantations that dot the landscape can be quite an experience. The main hill stations in
Kerala are at Wayanad in the North, Ponmudi in the South and Munnar and Thekkady in Central Kerala.
Wayanad is home to large numbers of tribal populations and lush, verdant forests.
However, the scars left behind by the indiscriminate clearing of virgin forests still
lingers. There are many schemes in hand to lessen the impact on the environment, some of
them foreign-funded. Wayanad is accessible by road from Kozhikode from the Kerala side
and from Medikere on the Karnataka side of the border. There are vast stretches of forests
here that are unspoiled and rich in wildlife. The temple at Thirunelli near Mananthody,
built within the confines of thick forests, is visited by thousands. For the wildlife enthusiast,
a visit to the Tholpatty wildlife sanctuary can be highly rewarding. |
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National
Parks
From Munnar, the road meanders along
the mountains and takes one through the cardamom plantations
( not surprisingly, the hills are called Cardamom hills)
to the best managed wildlife sanctuary in Kerala and
The Project Tiger Reserve - Thekkady.
The Eravikulam national park and the
Thattekad bird sanctuary are excellent testimonials
to good management of wildlife sanctuaries. Entry into
the Eravikulam Sanctuary is severely restricted to avoid
disturbing the extremely fragile high shola-grassland
eco-systems and the Nilgiri Tahr, endemic to this region.
The Periyar Tiger Reserve
and wildlife sanctuary is home to some 35 of the Indian
Tigers and hundreds of Asiatic elephants. The reserve
runs a couple of Eco Development Projects aimed at helping
local communities. All along the Western ghats, it is
possible to find excellent places to get away from the
heat of the lowlands and take in the scenery. But accommodation
is restricted and accessibility is problematic. Hence,
travel plans have to made with due care while travelling
along these mountains.
Religion
Kerala has been an open field for the missionaries
of all religions. Of all religious groups ,the
Syrian Christian are special to Kerala. The
first of this group is said to have baptised
by St: Thomas who landed at Kodungallur in AD
52. He converted a group of high-caste Numbudiris
to Christian community. Chronique de Seert has
references to the visit of David Dudi, the Bishop
of Assyria between 295 and 300 AD. Thomas the
Manichan in 277 AD and Thomas of Cana in 8th
the century showed missionary zeal.
After the British take over in the late 18th
century, English language assumed importance.
This brought about a tremendous impact upon
the life and culture of the Keralites. In this
respect, Kerala owes a great deal to the Christian
Missionaries. They not only educated the people
but also introduced health-care programmes.
They were careful not to disturb the majority
community and easily blended into the Kerala
culture. Latin was replaced by Malayalm for
Church services, and the traditional Kerala
nilavilakku was brought in replacing candles
and they wholeheartedly participated in the
Hindu festivities. Thus they enriched Keralas
ethnic culture.
The Muslims of Kerala are the descendents
of the Arab traders who came to Kerala and married
locally and finally settled down here. The Arabs
who landed here after the Jewish men, brought
the first wave of Muslims settlers. They were
the first peoples to build the first Mosque
in this Sub-continent at Kodungallur. They concentrated
in the Malabar area and up to the 18th century
they were mostly agricultural labourers, petty
traders and soldiers in the Zamorins army.
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