Kerala – God’s own country, the land of elephants, backwaters and coconut trees, land of colourful elephant festivals and boat races, the land of flower decorations and vegetarian sadyas, the land famous for traditional Ayurveda treatments, the place blessed with greenery and beauty! It’s called ‘Keralam’ in Malayalam, ‘Keral’ in Hindi and ‘Kerala’ in English. Only a few people know that ‘Keralam’ is its original name and all its people like to call it so. Kairali – another popular name of Kerala and it’s often used to represent its people too. It lies in the southern most corner of India, nature blessed it with Arabian Sea in the east and Western Ghats in the west and its temperature is almost same throughout the year except a few variations. It’s neither too hot nor too cold and rain showers its blessings at frequent intervals.

This state’s coast provided gateways to all the three major religions to India – Islam, Christianity and Judaism and that may be the reason why all the major religions are almost equally distributed in the state, in a Hindu nominated country. One in every two Malayalam speaking people -Malayalis is either a Muslim or a Christian, which is a unique feature of this state. That is the main reason why all religious festivals of world is widely celebrated in this state.

How Kerala came into existence?

After independence, all small countries of India were integrated together and brought under a common umbrella. It contained different colourful shades of culture and heredity. When states were formed based on spoken language, all Malayalis came under this group and they are now called ‘Keralities’.
Malabar, Travancore (written as Thiruvithankur in regional language) and Kochi – these three small kingdoms ruled by three kings were organized together to form Kerala. Many great leaders and organisations dreamt of the unification of all Malayalis together and this distant dream came true in the year 1956, November 1st. So Kerala is at 56 now. Yet we should note that before 1956 also, Keralam existed holding a traditional culture followed through centuries – from north Kolathunad to south Venad.

Kerala – In a snapshot

Came into existence – 1956 November 1st
Total surface area – 38863 square kilometer
Rivers – 44
Districts – 14
Biggest district – Palakkad
Smallest district – Alappuzha
Official animal – Elephant
Official bird - Great Hornbill
State fish – Pearl spot (Karimeen)
Longest river – Periyaar
Highest peak – Anamudi
Official tree – Coconut tree
Official flower - Casia Fistula (Golden Shower Tree)

A single state existed before 1200 AD – say Historians

According to Historians, there existed a Keralam 1200 years before, equivalent to present Kerala and its capital was Mahodayapuram. Yet, many data are still missing, rising the curiosity of millions who love this green state for its peacefulness and beauty a lot. Many strange yesterdays of Malayalam culture are interesting and surprising as well. Through this article, I am taking you people to an amazing journey through some curious facts, interesting and exciting!

Some strange customs of the past

Mannapedi and Pulappedi

‘Pedi’ means fear and ‘mannam’ and ‘pulayar’ are two scheduled castes of Kerala. Mannapedi and Pulappedi are some strange customs that existed in a male dominant society of ancient times. In some books it’s told, this custom was practised in Karkidakam – the last month of Malayalam Calender while some people believe that this strange custom was practised during Kumbham – Meenam months. It may be done to restrict the travel of ladies in the late evenings.

After sun set, if a lady belonging to an upper caste come out of her house and a low caste person see her by chance, he says, ‘Kande Kande’ meaning – I have seen, I have seen!, that lady can’t enter her home thereafter. Doors are closed for her forever and she had to go with that low caste person and live with him even if she likes or not. In some places, that person needs to touch her or throw stones or sticks to prove his supremacy. Foreign traveler Barbora noted this strange custom in his records for the first time. In Venad this strange custom was stopped in the year 871 A.D by Unni Kerala Varma. In Malabar this custom was followed till British rule became dominant over the state.

Madaleral

It’s well described in ‘Sankhakala’ manuscripts. It’s a fasting strike done by a young man to marry a girl whom he loves. There is a unique way of doing this strike. He wears a garland made of ‘erikk’ flowers and sit on a platform made from coconut keel. Coconut keel is known as ‘madal’ in Malayalam and ‘eral’ means to climb on top of. Hence this strange custom is known as madaleral. Very often girl changes her mind to marry him and in many times even King may interfere in the problem, depending on its intensity.

Vadakkirikkal

It’s a suicide strike of defeated kings. ‘Vadakk’ means north direction and ‘irrikkal’ means sitting. The king who is defeated in the battle sits facing north direction and keep fasting till he dies. It’s a common practice according to Jains.

Karppu and Kalavu

It’s related to marriages of sankhakaal. Those marriages which happen with the blessings of parents are known as ‘Karppu’ and if lovers flee to get married, it’s known as ‘Kalavu.

Ramavilakk

It’s an official distrain to seize property or house practised in the early days. In any corner of the land, a stick will be fixed with a ‘thoop’ tied at one end and this symbol is known as ‘japthi’ or ‘ramavilakk’. Vilakk means restriction to enter or use the land.

Kettukalyanam

Kalyanam means marriage in Malayalam. Kettukalyanam existed in certain castes during ancient times. ‘Talikettu kalyanam’, ‘Veeduketti kalyanam’ – the other names of this marriage function. This ritual is conducted before a girl becomes adult and it’s given that much importance of a normal wedding. The person who marries her will be given special coins as gift and it’s known as ‘charthupadi’.

Sakshibhojanam

It’s a widely followed system all over India. Before giving food to king, someone else have to eat the same food to confirm that it’s poison-less and risk free.

Kannokk

‘Kannu nokkuka’, shortly called ‘kannokk’ is a ritual related to funerals. ‘Kannu’ means eye and ‘nokkuka’ means ‘to see’. All relatives and friends will gather in the family on the 7th day of demise. Though it’s not known by the same time, this custom still exists in Kerala as well as all parts of India.

According to beliefs, Parasurama created Kerala

Hindu mythology says Parasurama created Kerala by throwing his axe from Gokarnam to Kanya Kumari. So, according to beliefs Kerala is formed from Arabian Sea. It’s also believed that he divided Kerala to 64 villages and ruling rights were given to Brahmins. But it proved inefficient system which resulted in the formation of 4 ‘kazhakams’ – Panniyoor, Perinchelloor, Chenganoor and Parappoor. Kazhakam is nothing but organization of Kerala under four groups and everything related to it are discussed under each division.

For ruling, four thaliyathiris were appointed and they used temples to organize their committees. Again this system proved inefficient which resulted in the invitation of ruling persons from outside known as ‘Perumal’.

25 perumals have ruled this state. Last perumal went to Mecca after accepting Islam and he gave his ruling power to his relative before he left. It happened in the year 825 AD and according to Willain Logan Malayalam New Year begins marking his disappearance. Malayalam New Year is known as ‘Kollavarsham’.

Ainthinagal – the five thinas

In sankhakala books it’s specified about 5 different types of land (thinas) and people belonging to it. They belong to a separate group and have separate worshipping deity as well.

Mullai – People were called idayar and they were shepherds. They lived in grass lands and worshipped Krishna as lord.
Kurinji – People were called Kuravar and they were hunters. They lived in mountains and valleys and Subramaniya was their deity.
Pala – People were called Maravar and they were fighters. They lived in sand forests and worshipped Goddess Kali.
Marutham – People were called Uzhavar who lived in normal land and they did farming. They worshipped Indra.
Neyyal – People who lived near oceans were called Paravar. They did fishing to earn a living and worshipped Varuna as God.

Manrams for discussions

During Sankhakala, rule of local panchayat was prominent. In every activity, normal people were also engaged and they were given preference as well. Manrams were the places were people held meeting to discuss about an issue. Disputes between persons and associations were solved in manrams. Its name was derived from Sanskrit word ‘Aram’ meaning ‘Dharma’ or justice. People irrespective of castes used to associate themselves with manrams.
According to Historians, village republics were individual governing bodies. The place where manram associations are done is known as ‘Mannam’ and the person who controls the whole meeting was called ‘Mannan’. His symbol of power was the stick used for controlling herds. Mannams were conducted beneath trees. 

Aikya Keralam - The Kerala Union

The idea to combine Travancore, Kochi and Malabar together to a single unit arose in some leaders’ mind during the time of freedom revolts itself. In November 27, 1937 the political meeting held at Thiruvananthapuram under the leadership of Dr.Pathabhi Sitaramayya, passed a resolution to rejoin the three small units to a single sub-federation. Travancore State Congress established in the year 1938 aimed the union of Travancore, Kochi and Malabar together. In Malabar, ‘Aikya Kerala’ was organized under the leadership of K.Kelappan. In 1946, the meeting organized at Thrissur was inaugurated by Cochi Raja. After Indian independence, Aikya Kerala Convention held at Aluva in 1948 got wide attention. In 1949 July 1st, Travancore and Kochi were united to form Thirukochi. Later, a committee was appointed by Central Government to study states to re-establish them according to the religion spoken. Thus, in 1956 November 1st, Aikya Kerala was born. When this process was done, Kanya Kumari was joined to Tamil Nadu while Palakkad and parts of Wyanad were joined to Kerala to form Kerala Union.

Kerala’s own Malayalam

Kerala is one among the four Dravidian states of India and hence Malayalam one among those Dravidian languages. Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Tulu and Malayalam combine together to form Dravidian languages – the name given by Dr.Caldwell. Malayalam became an independent language during AD 9th century.

Vattezhuthu is the ancient script of Malayalam. Since letters were written as rounds, it was named so. Vattezhuthu got major changes during 18th and 19th centuries and it began to be called as Kolezhuthu. Grandh lipi was used in vattezhuthu script and thus origin of Malayalam script was Grandhlipi.
Arabic Malayalam belongs to Kerala Muslims and it combines both Arabic and Malayalam. Al-Islam magazine used this script for publishing their articles. Vakkom Abdul Khadar Maulavi was the chief editor of this magazine.

Some words taken from other languages

Many words that are used in normal spoken language are foreign words, belonged to either Indian or Arabic. Let me quote a few such words.

• Hindi: Lahala, Laathi, Chitti, Khadar, Chaaya, Swamy, Panchayat
• Sanskrit: Aakhosham, Palahaaram, Mukham, Sukham, Dukham, Namaskaram
• Persian: Kammi, Raji, Sarkar, Sumar, Istiri, Maidanam, Sarkar
• French: Delux, Boorsha
• Tamil: Tapaal, Sambar, Vada, Kathi, Semiya
• Arabic: Kadalaaz, Vakeel, Taluk, Nikuthi, Khajanaav
• Portugeese: Kurish, Chaakk, Kasera, Alamari, Aaya

Official names of ancient Kerala

• Chandrakaaran – Village Officer
• Dananaykkal – Police inspector of Kochi
• Thadasthan – Person who does redemption on taxes and leases
• Thandalkaaran – Tax collecting employees
• Melezhuthupilla – Accountant general
• Rayasam – Clerk
• Kanakk pilla – Accountant
• Adhikari – The person who rules a small region
• Menon – Persons below Adhikari who keep official records
• Kolkaran – Peon of village offices

Taxes also had distinct names

Let me introduce some taxes of that time, classified according to job profile.

• Thalakaanam, Enikaanam – to climb trees
• Chekkira – tax of potters
• Thattara panam – by people who did work on gold ornaments
• Thari kadam– weaver’s tax
• Oonnippaattam – fishermen
• Meniponnu – to wear ornaments
• Kadama vari – for land
• Panachaattam and panatheeruva – for people engaged in alcohol and toddy business respectively
• Kaanapanam – to get a bride
• Vannaarapara – workers who wash clothes

Income of a kingdom

• Angam – To give permission to a fight between two people (Dwanth Yudh)
• Ezha – Annexing property of other kings or land lords
• Thapp – Money bought for unintentional mistakes
• Changatham – Money bought if a person is send as security guard
• Purushantharam – Money for copyright

Usage of words according to caste

At that time, many words were used according to caste system. Aachara bhaasha is a part of such spoken Malayalam. Let me give you a few such words that were used in ancient caste system. Most surprisingly, many words are entirely different.

Those symbols of prosperity that stepped down

Many eco-friendly items were found in our ancient Kerala. When we adopted the western culture and technology, many such symbols of prosperity have lost their way somewhere. Some may be still in any go downs or old families known as ‘Tharavaad’. Yet, new generation is not acquainted with most of them. Let me introduce a few such items that were once seen as indicators of wealth and pride.

Bhasma chatti (Bhasma pot)

This pot was hung in the sit out of traditional homes half century back. Now it’s not seen anywhere. This pot is made of clay and can be closed with a lid. There is a small gap to take ‘bhasma’ from the pot. It has a small handle to tie somewhere. Now people are not wearing bhasma and those hanging bhasma pots have disappeared from veranda.

Kolambi

Now no one hesitates to spit even in a public place. But it was not the case 30-40 years back. They were hygienic and used a kolambi, particularly to spit pan waste. Earlier kolambi was made of gold, silver, bronze and copper, depending on the financial status of the family.

Naazhi

Naazhi is a measurement device used in earlier days. It’s made of wood. Four thudam combine together to form a naazhi and four naazhi, when combined becomes an ‘irangazhi’.

Aamadapetti (Ornament box)

Now it’s time of lockers. Earlier, special ornament boxes were used by ladies to keep their ornaments. It’s normally made of wood and beautifully decorated using designs.

Maakkuda

It’s an eco-friendly disposable bag used to buy things from market. It’s made from coconut leaves and can be used many times. Now everyone is carrying a plastic bag while going to market.

Raanthal – the light

It was used as a modern symbol when electricity was not used wide. Below there is a small case used to fill kerosene and above a light, fully covered by glass. Glass can be opened or closed to adjust light.

Ural and Ulakka (For grinding)

Now it’s the time of floor mills and mixer grinders. A stone with a hole in middle is used to grind with the help of a wooden cylindrical shaped ulakka. It was used for powdering rice, spices, coriander etc.

Official symbols of Kerala

Elephant – the official animal

It’s not only an integral part of Kerala culture but also symbolizes Indian culture as well. In Kerala, a festival without decorated elephants is incomplete. Elephants are used for carrying idols and procession and they are a part of Kerala’s traditional culture. Not only Kerala, it is the official animal of Jharkhand, Karnataka and Orissa. It needs 60-70 lakhs to buy a male elephant. Yet elephant lovers buy them and exhibit as symbols of pride.

Cassia flowers – the official flower

It flowers normally during March-April months. According to astrology, new year begins in middle April with Vishu and Keralites are welcoming new year with ‘Vishu Kani’ for Lord Krishna using cassia flowers, fruits, vegetables, new dress, golden ornaments and money. Those yellow prosperous flowers resemble money coins a lot.

Coconut – the official tree

The word Keralam was derived from ‘Kera’. Kera means coconut trees. So Keralam is the land of coconut tree groups and for every significant day of Malayalam, any parts of this tree are often related to it. For a marriage, its flowers are placed inside a rice heap and its parts including tender coconuts used for decorations. Coconut is broken to please Ganapathi. It’s used in every poojas. Before gas stoves and induction cookers, different parts of coconut tree were used as fire wood. Now also, for auspicious occasions like pongala in a temple or a house warming ceremony, its dried leaves, husk and associated parts are used for lighting hearths. Earlier, roofs were made of coconut leaves and coir from husk. Now both are replaced by concrete roofs and plastic threads. People prefer coconut oil for dishes. It’s also used as hair oil.

Great Hornbill – the official bird

It’s already included in the red list by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). When it flappers its wings it seems as if it’s an echo from mountain. Among different types of hornbill, great hornbill is considered as state bird. It’s seen in Silent Valley, Vaazhachal, Parambikulam and Periyaar.

Pearl spot – the official fish

If foreigners come to Kerala to taste something special, it’s none other than pearl spot, called Karimeen in Malayalam. It’s found in fresh water lakes and rivers of Kerala. It’s found in marshy places as well. Among all dishes made of pearl spot, steamed dish (Karimeen Pollichathu) is most popular. It’s a special preparation of frying pearl spot, adding masala and coconut milk and later steamed, wrapped inside a banana leaf.

A small note on great persons related to Kerala literature

Thunchath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan is considered as Father of Malayalam as he translated both the epics to Malayalam for the first time. As he was superstitious, to avoid the bad effects of writing epics directly, he wrote those poems as narrations done by a bird and this category of literature is known as ‘kilippaatt’ (Bird song).

Let me give names of a few people related to Kerala literature.

• A.R.Raja Raja Varma – Kerala Panini
• Kodungallur Kunjikuttan Thampuran – Kerala Vyasa
• Vallathol Narayana Menon – Kerala Valmiki
• Kerala Varma Valiyakoi Thampuran – Kerala Kalidasa
• Vennikulam Gopala kurupp – Kerala Thulasidas

As I conclude  

Through this article, we have traveled from ancient times and reached present time. Hoping you have enjoyed this journey in my company a lot! Let me end this article giving a small suggestion. Now day by day we see a lot of place names being converted from English to their regional forms. For example, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Paschim Bangla etc. Why can’t Kerala also be given its original name, KERALAM?  Happy Birthday to my Malayalam once again!

• Written by Sandhya Rani.
• In category Customs and Culture.
• 11 years ago.

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