1 | P a g e

KERALA Kerala is one of the 28 states of India.

Capital City: Thiruvananthapuram

Language: Malayalam

The etymology of Kerala is a matter of conjecture. According to

the most accepted theory, Kerala is an imperfect Malayalam portmanteau

that unites Kera(coconut) and alam(“earth” or “place”). Another theory

says that the name originated from the phrase chera alam(“Terra dos

cheras”). The Natives of Kerala, known as Keraleses or Malayalies, then

refers to their land as Keralam. It was formed on 1 November 1956

following the States Reorganisation Act by combining Malayalam-

speaking regions.It is believed that Parasurama is the creator of Kerala.

He converted a portion of sea into land by throwing his axe.

Figure 1 : Kerala Location in India

2 | P a g e

Experience Kerala

Kerala is also known as God’s Own Country. Golden beaches,

emerald backwaters, lofty mountain ranges, powerful art forms... the

choices are many and so are the wonders that await you in Kerala. Come

and take home what they call ‘memories’, the kind that makes life worth

living.

Figure 2 : Kerala Map

Kerala is renowned for some of its unique cultural and

geographical characteristics. The practices and traditions handed down

from generation to generation, alongside some of the natural wonders

that we have been blessed with have attracted people to this land for

centuries. From the ancient healthcare system of Ayurveda to our

picturesque hill stations and diverse wildlife, we provide you with links

to access a wide range of our specialities. We believe it is our duty to share

these gifts with the rest of the world. These specialities of God’s Own

Country that are mentioned below.

3 | P a g e

1. Ayurveda Kerala possesses an unbroken tradition of Ayurveda that has

surpassed many invasions and intrusions both foreign and native.

For hundreds of years the Ayurveda Vaidyas (traditional

practitioners of Ayurveda) were almost the only solution for people

seeking healing from every kind of disease in Kerala. The

legendary eight families of Vaidyas (Ashta vaidyas) and their

successors treated the entire state for centuries. Unlike the other

Indian states, the status of Ayurveda in Kerala is not that an

alternative but is main stream. In fact, today, Kerala is the only

State in India which practices this system of medicine with

absolute dedication.

Figure 3: ayurvedic_treatment

Being the only resort of treatment for the people, the Vaidyars of

Kerala were challenged to interpret the theories of Ayurveda and

adapt them actively into effective healing systems in everyday life.

Thus, almost all the contemporary procedures and protocols of

Ayurveda have evolved in and around Kerala.

4 | P a g e

The Boons of Nature

The equable climate, natural abundance of forests and the cool Monsoon

season of Kerala are best suited for Ayurveda's curative and restorative

packages. Kerala is perhaps one of the few places on Earth where a

temperature of 24-28 degrees is maintained during a period of

continuous rain. This prevalence of moisture in the air and on the surface

of the skin makes it the ideal place for natural medicines to work at their

highest levels of potency. The land is also blessed with in numerous

medicinal plants and provides the continuity and consistency of

Ayurveda medicines needed for effective treatment procedures. The same

herbs with the same potency are available year after year across every

season. The rich alkaloid content of the soil enhances the intensity and

potency of many Ayurvedic medicines when compared to places with a

different soil constitution.

Figure 4: Kizhi kept in Oil Figure 5: Herbal oil for Massage

5 | P a g e

Figure 6: Ayurvedic Medicines

2. Waterfalls

Kerala is popular for having numerous majestic waterfalls. These

scintillating cascades are famous picnic spots and excursion

destinations round the year. The luscious Kerala waterfalls are a

sight your eyes will never tire of feasting upon.

Figure 7: Athirapally Water Falls

6 | P a g e

3. Neelakurinji

Every twelve years, the hills of Munnar in Kerala burst into a sea

of blue, a rare natural spectacle for which travellers make a beeline for.

An endless stretch of rolling hills carpeted with tiny blue flowers

welcomes the visitors. It is the time Neelakurinji, a flower with 40 odd

varieties, blossoms in all its grandeur.

Figure 8 & 9 : Neelakurinji

4. Kerala Food

Spices have always played an integral part of Kerala's history. Our

food is an example of the very same and we have offerings for people

from all over the world. Be it famous international restaurant chains

or local eateries, we have everything a foodie could ask for prepared

with that special Kerala taste to it. The cuisine here caters to

vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Let the flavours of our past

and our future take you on a delightful journey.

Figure 10: Appam&mutton

7 | P a g e

Figure 11: Kerala Sadhya Figure 12: Kanji

We are very thoughtful about our health and hence we try to have a

balanced diet. For most of our auspicious occasions we prefer

'Sadya', which includes a wide variety of vegetarian dishes that are rich

in nutritional value.

Figure 13 : Kerala sadhya items description

8 | P a g e

5: Kerala Culture and Peoples

The culture of Kerala is a synthesis of Aryan and Dravidian cultures,

developed and mixed for centuries, under influences from other parts of

India and abroad The arrival of Vasco da Gama, coming of foreign traders

and invation by Portuguese defined a new cultural heritage in its people.

Three main religions in Kerala are Hindu, Christians and Muslims.

There are minor communities like Jews in some part of the state like

Cochin. In Hindu people there are numerous caste divisions. Exquisite

sculptures, music and dance forms can be seen in the historic development

of Kerala's cultural traditions. Trissur Pooram, The traditions of

Kathakali and Mohiniattam are highly developed art forms that have

developed from their folk origins into highly evolved classical dance

forms. Kathakali is a 300-year-old dance form developed exclusively in

Kerala combiningthe performing art forms of opera, ballet, masque, and

pantomime. The dance is a beautiful blending of color, dance, music,

drama, and expressions. In a sense, a lot of the fame that the state has

gained is mainly due to the popularity of this dance form. Other dance

forms of Kerala are Krishnanattom, Mohiniyattom, Thullal,

Koodiyattom, Kolkkali, Thiruvathirakali, Kakkarishi Natakom,

Oppanna, and Chavittunatakom. Panchavadyam, Nadanpattu,

Omanathinkal Kidavo and many more music forms have evolved over the

centuries in Kerala.

Figure 14 : Theyyam Figure 15 :Oppan(Muslim’s MarriageDance)

9 | P a g e

Figure 16 : Kathakali

Figure 17 : Mohiniyattam Figure 18 : Kalaripayittu

10 | P a g e

5.1 Dressing

The traditional Kerala dress- Shirt and Mundu (Men) and Mundu and Neriyathu or saree (women).

Figure 19: Mund & Shirt(MEN), Mundu & Neriyathu(Women)

Figure 20: Shirt & Mundu(Men),Set mundu(Women)

Figure 21 : Kerala Wedding Shirt & Mundu (mens), Saree (Womens)

11 | P a g e

6. Festivals

Festivals in Kerala bring to the forefront some of our greatest

traditions. They have carefully been passed down for centuries by our

ancestors and it is our duty to ensure these customs are respected and

remembered by the future generations as well. The following high-quality

visuals have been handpicked to display some of the best moments from

our festivals. These festivals are an integral part of our culture and

represent the spirit of the Keralite at its finest. Communal harmony and

peace are emphasised on as the people of the State rejoice together during

these momentous events.

Onam is celebrated as the main festival

Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state

of Kerala. It is a harvest festival and is celebrated with joy and

enthusiasm all over the state by people of all communities. According to

a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali,

whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.

Figure 22 :Onam Celebrations

12 | P a g e

Figure 23: Kalpathy Chariot Figure 24: Pulimkunnu

Figure 25: Beemapali Uroos Figure 26:Vishu

Figure 27: Thrissur Pooram

13 | P a g e

Figure 28 : Aramula Boat Race

There are numerous other things to explore and explain with Kerala.

Kerala -Portugal History

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in Kerala. They were also

the first foreign power that captured the governance anywhere in India.

The arrival of Portuguese was the result of the many voyages the

Europeans undertook since 14th century, to find new markets for their

products and acquire new raw materials and products useful for them.

On 20 May 1498, Vasco da Gama set foot on Kappad beach in Kozhikode.

His expedition was sponsored by Portuguese king Manuel I. Till the

arrival of Portuguese, the primary foreign trading partners of Kerala were

the Arabs.

Gama soon returned to Portugal.His follower was Pedro Alvares Cabral.

He led the second expedition and reached Kozhikode in 1500. He met with

Zamorin and the meeting went in favour of the Portuguese. The Zamorin

allowed Cabral to build a trading center there.Vasco da Gama reached

Kerala for the second time in 1502.

In 1505, the first Portuguese Viceroy came to Kerala. He was Fransisco

Almeda. He and his group tried to consolidate their power in Kerala. As

part of it, they built St. Angelo Fort at Kannur.

14 | P a g e

Albuquerke was the Viceroy who followed Almeda. He was the most

popular of the Portuguese viceroys in India. He encouraged the marriage

between Indians and Portuguese. He banned Sati and shifted the

Portuguese capital in India from Kochi to Goa. Following him, Loppo

Sores, de Sequira, Duarte de Meneces, Gama and Henri de Meneces

became the viceroys.

Figure 29 : Vasco da Gama delivers the letter of King Manuel of Portugal

to the Zamorin of Calicut

Figure 30: Santa Cruz Basilica Cochin (Portuguese colonial church 1505,

Kochi, Kerala, India)

15 | P a g e

Figure 31 : Indo-Portuguese Museum, Fort Kochi

The Portuguese left an indelible mark on our history and culture. The

Indo-Portuguese Museum situated in Fort Kochi tries to encapsulate this

bond. Their influence on the art and architecture of the region is on full

display here. The constant efforts of late Dr. Joseph Kureethra, Bishop of

Kochi, played an integral role in its formation so that future generations

could understand the Indo-Portuguese Christian Art heritage.

The museum is divided into five main sections - Altar, Treasure,

Procession, Civil Life and Cathedral. One can see a piece of the altar made

in teak wood (16th century) from the Church of Our Lady of Hope,

Vypeen, a chasuble (19th century) from Bishop's House, Fort Kochi,

Processional cross, which is a combination of silver and wood (17th

century) from Santa Cruz Cathedral, Fort Kochi, Indo-Portuguese

Monstrance (18-19th century), from The Church of Our Lady of Hope,

Vypeen. The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation contributed sculptures,

precious metal objects and vestments, among others from the Cathedral of

Santa Cruz and other churches of the Kochi diocese. All these and much

more chronicle the important relationship shared by our respective

cultures.

Kerala-Portugal Relations

16 | P a g e

The Portuguese culture that dominated in the state for a century and half

has donated lot of things to the Kerala culture as well. These are the

primary changes induced by the Portuguese intrusion.

• The Portuguese encouraged agriculture and experimented

scientifical and innovative reforms. They imported productive

cocunut seeds and expanded the cocunut production. The coir trade

also flourished. New vegetables and trees were introduced to Kerala

including Papaya, Pine Apple, Cashew, Watermelon, Indian Beans

and Guava.

• They introduced European style in architecture here, mainly in

Churches and residential buildings. Bunglaws of Euopean model

started to be built. The use of cosmetics and other items rose

gradually. They also brought their style of dress here.

• The Portuguese popagated the use of European weapons and

weaponry in Kerala. The building of forts got popular. Fort Manuel

built in 1503 at Kochi was the first fort in India built by Europeans.

The Keralites learned to use and make guns and canons.

• The Portuguese focused on building new towns and markets. It

led to the development of Calicut, Cochin and Chaliyam while old

towns, such as Kollam and Kodungalloor, were relegated.

• They promoted Roman Catholicism and as a part of it,

established colleges in Kochi and Angamaly. Portuguese and Latin

languages were promoted. They built printing press at Kochi and

Vypin.

• The Portuguese contributed many words to Malayalam. The

language got new words such as Lelam, Chavi, Vijagiri, Alamara,

Verantha, Mesha, Chaya, Kasera and Vikari from the contact with the

Portuguese.

17 | P a g e

Kerala Restaurant Lisbon, Portugal

South Indian cuisine is the term used to represent those dishes

originating from the four southern states of India – Andra Pradesh

Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnadu.

What started off as a unique dream of offering delicious dishes to

nourish the body, mind, and soul, turned into a family business named

in 'Kerala Restaurant' where we offer some of the finest South Indian

cuisines and spreading our culture. It is our humble attempt to

introduce a variety of authentic dishes especially light and simple

authentic curries from the land of coconuts now known as 'God's own

Country'.

Figure 32: “Kerala Restaurant” Chef is ready to cook food For You…

Kerala restaurant

R. Infantaria 16 37A,

1250-128 Lisboa,968463303

18 | P a g e

19 | P a g e

20 | P a g e

21 | P a g e