Village Life Experience in Kerala
The soul of Kerala is in its fabulous villages. The breathtaking beauty and peaceful ambiance of Kerala villages is a refreshing experience. Villages dotted with rivers, tall coconut trees, green paddy fields and the wonderful traditional homes take you to another world.
Laid back life of this villages will be a break from the hustle bustle of city life. The simple life of the villagers give a different experience for everyone. The villagers in Kerala follows the traditional values and are happy and contented with their simple life.
Living in these charming villages among the innocent villagers will definitely be the most memorable times of your life. Spending time in the lap of nature in the greenery of villages will give you the pleasure of perfect holidays. The pure, serene and lively atmosphere of villages offers a heavenly experience.
There are wonderful tourist villages in Kerala. Aranmula, Kumarakom, Kovalam, Punnathoor Kotta are some of the popular tourist villages in Kerala. These villages gives knowledge about the culture and tradition of the land.
The sleepy Kerala villages offers you the sight of rich and diverse vegetation, beautiful temples, rivers many exotic birds etc. You will be mesmerised by the beauty of this villages. Once you visit the villages you can never forget this experience.
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Performing Arts in Kerala
The rich and vibrant culture of Kerala has attracted people for ages. The real beauty of Kerala lays in the culture of this small heavenly land. The treasures of Kerala are its unique art forms which reflects the life and traditions of the people.
From the renowned Kathakali to the folk dances every art form in Kerala reflects the rhythmic impulse and rituals of the intellect sensitive people in here. Religious and social history contributes to the origin of this performing arts thus making it an essential part of religious festivals and social events.
Recently UNESCO has declared Koodiyattam, an art form of Kerala as one among the masterpieces of oral and intangible heritage of humanity. Its for the first time in the history of UNESCO selecting an art form across the world and giving it recognition.
The main themes of these performing art forms are religious. Traditionally these art forms are performed during festivals and in social gatherings and temples. Some of this art forms are night long events. These art forms helps in maintaining social interaction and bonding between people from different backgrounds.
There are classical art forms and folk art forms. Important classical art forms of Kerala include Kathakali and Chakyar Koothu. Kathakali is the spectacular art form of Kerala based on drama, music and dance. Chakyar Koothu also called as Koothu is one of the oldest theatre art form. Apart from these many wonderful folk art forms are also an unavoidable part of Kerala tradition and culture.
Main folk art forms of Kerala are Krishnanattam, Mohiniyattam,Thullal, Pathakam, Theyyam, Kalampattu, Kavadiyattam, Sarpa pattu, Thidambu nritham, Padayani, Chavittunadakam, Pulikali, Thiruvathirakali, Margamkali, Kolkali, Duff Muttu, Oppana etc.
Margamkali is an art form famous among Syrian christians of Kerala. Oppana, the wonderful art form is a Muslim bridal group dance, where the bride sits in the centre and others move around her singing and clapping their hands in a rhythmic way.
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Kerala Cuisine
Kerala cuisine is connected directly to its history, geography and culture of the land. The historical diversity and cultural influences largely contributed the unique style and dishes to Kerala cuisine. Before independence Kerala was split into three regions Malabar (North Malabar and Malabar), Cochin and Travancore.
The style of preparation and the names of dishes vary in these regions. Kerala cuisine has a multitude of vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes. The large number of Christian and Muslim population in Kerala has contributed various styles of non vegetarian dishes.
European influence is reflected in numerous bakeries and in Anglo-Indian cuisine. Spices play an important role in Kerala cuisine. Most of the non vegetarian dishes are very spicy while vegetarian dishes are mildly spiced.
Kerala offers many nutritious and delicious vegetarian dishes which are not made anywhere else. These include Puttu, Idiyappam, Palappam etc. Like many other South Indian states rice is the basic food in Kerala. Most of the people in Kerala prefer boiled rice.
Kerala is known for its Sadhya. A vegetarian meal served with so many side dishes during special occasions and festivals. Followed by Sadhya Payasam, a sweet dessert will be served.
The use of sweets is not as widespread in Kerala as in other Indian states. Cold desserts are not that popular in Kerala. A wide variety of side dishes like pickles, chutneys, pappadams, banana chips etc. are also popular among Keralites. Due to a large number of coconut in Kerala, coconut oil is used for cooking.
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