Folk Culture of Kerala

Kerala, popularly known as God’s own Country is indeed the most suitable name for this beautiful and culturally rich state. The cultural heritage of Kerala can be seen in the lifestyle of the people.  It is one of the most famous tourist sites in India. This state has beautiful scenic hills and so many more sites that will lure your heart towards it. The traditional dress worn in Kerala is a saree for women and mundu(dhoti) for men. The major language spoken by the majority of the people in Kerala is Malayalam. People living in Kerala are referred to as Malayalees.

Apart from being mesmerizingly beautiful, Kerala is also known for its culture and heritage. The state of Kerala is defined by its originality and uniqueness. It has managed to maintain its original culture even in this modern world. The culture of the state includes its mouth-watering cuisine, traditional dances like Kathakali, etc. 

Folk culture meaning

Folk culture means the traditional practices and rituals that are performed at the local level. Every area or region has its own folk culture and popular culture. It originates from very old traditional rituals performed mainly in rural areas. The outstanding culture of the state of Kerala is a blend of both Indian and Dravidian styles. The different folk cultures of Kerala are Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, and kalaripayattu.

Kathakali- It is one of the most famous dance forms of India. It is a combination of Opera, ballet, and masque. It is a traditional dance that is three hundred years old.

Mohinyattam – It is another dance form of the state of Kerala. The meaning of the word mohiniattam is the dance of the enchantress. It is performed in honour of Lord Vishnu. Mohini is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu as an enchantress.

Kalaripayattu- It is a martial art that originated in the state of Kerala. It is popularly called Kalari and is to be performed on an ancient battlefield. The god of this martial art is lord Bhadrakali.

Location of Kerala

Kerala is situated in the southernmost part of India. It is believed that it is a part of the historical region of Thamizhagam today’s Tamil Nadu. It is a land that has witnessed the rule of the major kingdoms of the South, the Cholas, the Cheras, and the Pandyas and so is one of the most famous places in history.

Folk culture definition

Definition of folk culture: The folklore of a region consists of the different elements of the traditional lifestyle or the way of living of the people of that particular area. The folklore of Kerala includes the traditional beliefs, memorable customs, unique rituals, and much more that is reflected in the songs and folk art of the state. The culture of Kerala is reflected in the expression of the behaviour and thoughts of the people living here.

The folk culture and lore of the state of Kerala are mostly agricultural. It is divided into different stages of agriculture like sowing, planting of seedlings, clearing out the weeds, harvesting, etc. These stages are a part of the typical rituals performed here. Some of the folktales of Kerala are Mudiyettu, Thirayattam, Malavayiyattam, Theyyam, etc.

Folk Arts of Kerala

Folk art refers to all the different forms of art that define the culture and heritage of a place. It can simply be defined as the expression of the community life of a region. The folk arts of Kerala are divided into two parts the first one being ritualistic and the second one being non- ritualistic. It is a part of the folk culture and popular culture of Kerala.

Ritualistic arts are different forms of art like songs, paintings, dances etc based on religious beliefs or beliefs related to deities. The ritualistic folk art of Kerala is divided into two parts: devotional and magical. Folk arts are dedicated to a particular god or goddess. Some of the devotional folk arts are thirayattam, Anarkali theyyam, etc.

Magical folk arts are performed for a particular purpose for example to remove evil spirits, to beget children, etc. Some examples of magical folk arts of Kerala are pambu thullal, poopada thullal, malayankettu, etc. 

Literature of Kerala

One of the most integral parts of the heritage of Kerala is its literature. Literature of Kerala includes Sangam and Malayalam literature. In ancient times Sangam literature was prominent in the state of Kerala. Malayalam which is a language now used in this state is counted among the classical languages of the country. Malayalam literature has been awarded six Jnanpith awards.

Cuisine of Kerala

The major cuisine of Kerala includes vegetarian meals but it also has some signature non-vegetarian dishes. Some of the delicacies that are famous in the state are pounded rice with black gram curry, kallappam which is a pancake dish, idiyappam which is ice noodles, curry meen fry, prawns, and crabs. All these dishes are extremely delicious and are served on a leaf. This sort of serving is very attractive to tourists and is quite extraordinary.

Conclusion

In this article, we studied the definition of folk arts, folk cultures, the meaning of folk culture, etc. We learn that Kerala is a state with a rich heritage and culture. It has beautiful hills, mountains, beaches, etc. Kerala is one of the most visited places by sight-seers from both inside the country and outside the country. It is a state with different delicious cuisines, ancient art forms, beautiful temples, and much more that is fascinating.