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Area : |
38,863 square
kilometers. |
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Capital : |
Thiruvananthapuram |
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Population : |
3,18,38,619 |
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Language : |
Malayalam |
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People : |
Hundreds of
years ago there was a broad division of the population based
upon the occupation. The Kuravar were hunters of Kurinchi
(mountain land), the maravar were fighting men of Palai (arid
land), the idayas were cowherds and shepherds of Mullai
(pastures), the Uzhavas were agriculturists of Marutam (west
land) and the Paravas were fisher men of the Neytal (coastal
land).
The kadars, Ullatans, paniyans and malayans always kept
themselves in hills and forests away from the later Aryan
invaders. They live in groups and depended mostly on nature
for all their needs. The religion of the Kadars was rude
animism. |
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Economy : |
Agriculture is
the main occupation of the people. Rice and tapioca are
important food crops. Coconut and pepper are the most
important
cash
crops. |
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Culture : |
The agricultural
year in Kerala begins in April with the Vishu festival. It is
celebrated as New Year's Day. Ona is the ten-day harvest
festival of welcoming Mahabali, the beloved ruler of Kerala.
The women of the household clean up a patch on the eastern
side of their homes and spread cowdung evenly to make the 'attapu'
or the circular flower decoration. On Thiruvonam day of this
festival the most important day of the festival, women and
children dance the 'kummi' and 'kaikottikali' around the 'attapu'
while singing songs in praise of Mahabali.
The most famous traditional dance of Kerala is Kathakali.
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Climate : |
The weather of
Kerala is pleasant. It is neither too cold in winter, nor too
hot in summer. It is monsoon time between June and October,
June and July being the rainiest months. Kerala also receives
the mild northeast monsoons from October. |
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History : |
Chera dynasty
had ruled a considerable part of Kerala till 400 A.D. In 825
A.D. Kerala was ruled by the Kulasekhara dynasty till 1019.
During this period art, literature and trade flourished and
Malayalam began to develop as a language. For about a century
there was a long conflict of the rulers of Kerala with the
Cholas of
Tamil
Nadu.
When India became independent in 1947,Kerala was actually
divided into states Travancore and Cochin. These two states
were brought together to form the Travancore-Cochin State in
1949. On 1st November 1956 Malabar district was added to
Travancore-Cochin and the new state of Kerala came into being. |
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