The cultural heritage of Kerala is one that not just Kerala can be proud of. The Malayalam language and its history are revered around the world. The architectural style and its use in religious, self-sufficient and other forms were unique to the state. The literature, the drama and the various theatres that were unique to Kerala is another thread that ran through the Malayali psyche.
This diversity and the rich tapestry of culture that this state was known for makes it one of the most vibrant parts of India. Unfortunately, little has been done to preserve its heritage in a systematic way. This article aims at providing you with an insight into this cultural heritage and how it is relevant even today.
Historical Background:
In ancient times, Kerala was divided into kingdoms as seen in maps from around five hundred years ago. Higher up the slopes, the Cheras and Cholas were the ones who were ruling. The area that is now Kerala was known as ‘Keralam’ and it had huge forests. The main centres of civilization were Puhar, Atmakallu and Kollam in modern-day Kerala. The early contact of the Cheras with foreign traders brought them many foreign elements into their culture. They started using Hinduism in place of their original animist religion to protect themselves from their Islamic neighbours. The royal families from Amaravati and Pandya regions became patrons of religious learning and made these areas famous for them through song, dance and music that soon spread like wildfire.
Significance of Cultural Heritage in Kerala Literature Architecture:
In the medieval times, Kerala was divided into the three kingdoms of Cochin, Travancore and Malabar. At this point in history, there was a lot of interaction with Arabs and Europeans as well as local traders. The focus on religious learning resulted in the development of several systems of astrology, grammar and poetry that came to be known as ‘Adhyatma Ramayanam’; written by Thunjathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan in Malayalam. The most significant account from this age is that of Marco Polo who sailed down to China from Kerala via the Horn of Africa. Although he concludes his story with a lot of incredulity, the fact that he is believed to be accurate has the palm for the acceptance of this account. The trade between Europeans and Arabs brought about many other cultures into Kerala. One such culture is the spread of Islam. The arrival of Muslim traders from Arabia and India was marked by the establishment of mosques, Islamic education system and a number of Ulema (Muslim religious scholars). The Malaya Malayalam language developed during this period in order to compete with other languages that were present in Kerala during those times. In addition to these foreign cultures, there was also a strong indigenous culture that was associated with Kerala before it became part of India.
Some Famous Architecture in Kerala:
The main architectural style that is identified with Kerala is the Dravidian architecture. The Sanskrit name for this is ‘Vastu Shastra’. The temple known as the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram and Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple, Kottayam are two examples of this architecture. From the sixteenth century, many temples have been built to illustrate the architectural style of Kerala.
The rich heritage associated with Kerala includes language, literature, theatre and music. In addition to this, there have also been a few buildings that were a part of cultural heritage. The famous temples in Kerala were built between the 6th and 16th centuries. These include the Thiruvannamalai Temple, and the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple. The Chettikulangara Devi Temple in Mavelikkara and the Udayagiri Fort are other examples of these ancient buildings. The Pallipurathu Kavu, Aryankavu Snake Temple and Bogarikkad Vellamkallu are few other temples that fall under this category.
Popularity of Kerala Architecture House:
The popularity of Kerala architecture houses is not just confined to within the state but also in other parts of the world. The reason for this popularity is the fact that they were built with a lot of precision and detail. The trustworthiness of these constructions is what has made them popular even today. The famous Kerala historical sites are:
1) Edakkal Caves
2)Bekal Fort:
3) Padmanabhapuram Palace Museum:
4) Poonjar Palace:
5) St.Francis Church:
6) Fort Kochi:
7) Thalassery Fort:
8) Thrikkakudi Rock-Cut Temple:
9) Krishnapuram Palace:
10) Thrissur:
Significance of Cultural Heritage of Kerala:
The significance of Cultural Heritage of Kerala is more than just the history of the past. This is what has shaped India into what it was all those years ago.
The cultural heritage in Kerala and its various forms are as relevant today as they were centuries ago. It is important to preserve this at any cost if we want to preserve a part of our country’s history.
The literature, music, art and culture that is associated with Kerala has been the inspiration for several generations around the world. The richness it offers through its vibrant culture makes it one of the most popular parts of our country even today. The rich heritage of Kerala has been a part of our country’s history and is still relevant even today. The various forms that comprise the heritage have helped shape the country as we know it today.
If you are planning to buy one or looking for inspiration for your current home then Kerala architecture house is an ideal option, because these have a striking resemblance to their historical counterparts.
Conclusion:
Architecture has always been a strong theme in Kerala literature and music, and its importance was reinforced by the series of events that took place during World War II. These events known as ‘The Emergency’ had a notable effect on the writing, dance and music forms in Indian states like Kerala. However, the state’s rich heritage and beautiful aesthetics still attracts millions of tourists every year. As a result, architecture has always been important to the people of Kerala, who are also well known for their love for beauty and cultural events. Kerala is an example of how an individual’s passion has a great impact on the rest of the world. Things like careful planning and planning for the future with regards to architecture have made this state what it is today.