Malayalam is the language of Kerala and so Keralites are popularly called "Malayalees" for the language they speak. During
Kerala Tourism one will realize that the people of Kerala form a well educated society. In fact Kerala is the first state in India with 100% literacy.
The women mostly dress themselves in those wonderful six meters of silk or cotton called SARI. The more convenient dresses like Churidar and Western fashion styles are popular among the younger generation. The men mostly subscribe to trousers and shirt like the rest of the world. How ever you shouldn't be surprised if you find them dressed in the traditional "Kasavu Mundu", a three to four meter long cotton twin cloth with silk border, as formal dress and a colourful cloth called "Kaily" or "Lunky" at home as the informal dress.
Various racial strains have passed through Kerala virtually since the dawn of time and have left the state richer in its philosophy of co-existence. Even this modern times, with Kerala being India's only fully literate state, and having provided the nation with some of its eminent writers and satiric cartoonists, it comes to dwell in a time warp, where slow-boats still coast along backwaters, the people dressed elegantly in white, and festivals are celebrated over many days with traditional gaiety.
One of the principal Hindu castes of Kerala is that of the Nairs, among two of the country's only societies that follow a matriarchal system that has brought women into social prominence. Kerala's Brahmins, the Namboodris, till recently had a system in which only the eldest son could marry within the same cast, Since the others had to find wives outside the community, they were disowned from family rights. These are now traditions of the past.
Kerala has also had Christians as long as Christianity has been in Europe! The Portuguese were more than a little surprised to find Christianity already established along the Malabar Coast when they arrived here 500 years ago. Christianity, Judaism and Islam found their way into Kerala. A tolerant people welcomed them. Kerala has an amazing mixture of religions -Hindus, Christians and Muslims. Communal harmony and religious toleration are an essential part of Kerala's culture and heritage. Today there are temples and mosques, churches and synagogues; they form the cohesive warp and weft that has gone into the making of the fabric of Kerala.
on eTI community..
