While being considered among India’s most modern states, Kerala is also one of its most traditional. So, if you’re hoping to get an authentic taste of the country during your travels, it’s well worth including a tour of Kerala in your itinerary.
Kerala is in the south-east, and it’s a great place to explore if experiencing traditional culture is high on your to-do list. The state has a bit of a reputation for being pretty modern in terms of things like literacy (it has one of the highest levels in the country), but its ultra conservative when it comes to culture. So, expect to regularly come across people in traditional dress and age-old customs. But just what are the best ways to get to grips with the state’s culture?
1) Visit Fort Cochin
One of the key things about travelling in India is that there’s so much to see, it’s hard to know where to begin. When you’re travelling in Kerala there’s a massive range of possibilities, but if you’re really focused on discovering some of the roots of local and national heritage, make sure Fort Cochin is on your list.
You’ll find this at the mouth of the state’s busiest harbour, and what makes it such an interesting place to visit is all the evidence of the Europeans that once colonised the area, which is still standing today. Take a wander round and you’ll spot loads of examples – look out for things like Dutch merchants’ houses and Jewish synagogues. These days, a lot of these buildings have been turned into cafes and such, but take a look at their architecture and you can still pick out their heritage.
2) Temple festivals
Religion is a huge part of Kerala’s culture, and every temple will have a minimum of one annual festival. Since there are so many temples all over the state, it’s worth doing a little research or speaking to your tour operator before you travel to work out what’ll be on in the area you’re in.
Most temple festivals tend to follow a similar pattern, with drum orchestras, ritual theatre and traditional Mohinattyan dance – but the size of the celebrations does vary from place to place. The good thing is that because there are so many temples, it’s not too hard to find something to go to while you’re here.
3) See some ritual theatre and martial arts
Ritual theatre, dance and martial arts play an important role in the local culture, so if you’re keen to really get under Kerala’s skin, you can’t miss seeing a performance. As mentioned above, you’re likely to be able to watch a little at temple festivals, but there are plenty of other options too.
If you want to see Kerala’s acrobatic martial art form, Kalarippayattu, head to Ens Kalari in Nettoor. This is where people learn the art, and it holds one-hour demonstrations every evening from Monday to Saturday – but it’s worth bearing in mind you need to let them know a day in advance if you want to attend. Short demos like this often crop up in hotels too, but there are places you can go if you want to see something a little more authentic.
Traditional performances tend to last through the night, and if you really want a unique Keralan experience, travel to the beaches just south of Kannar (which is in the north of the state). Here, dancers perform Theyyam – which is wilder than the other dance styles you’re likely to come across – all night.
4) Visit the backwaters
There’s no way you can visit Kerala and not explore its famous Kuttanad backwaters, so make sure this is on your itinerary. Travelling on a traditional rice barge – most of which are now converted to carry passengers – is a must. The scenery here is amazing, all canals, lakes and rice fields, and you’ll be able to spot local people going about their everyday chores on the shore.
