HOW BEAUTIFUL IS MY KERALA!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GOD'S OWN COUNTRY!
1st November,2009
SUNDAY
8p.m
Dear Friends,
Good Morning!
the new month,November begins today,the 53rd birthday of the state of Kerala.I proudly announce I am a Keralite .as a pravasi,i never miss a chance to describe n introduce the rich culture n traditions of my state to others.to be a guide is always my dream,narrating the history n happenings to the tourists.:)and Iam sure i will excel as a guide taking the tourists to the very core of the roots of Kerala,making them really feel this is the only God's Own Country!thrice a year i reach Guruvayoor,Trichur.i wait for the holidays and rush to be with my parents [my Achan is no more],spending the holidays in our ancestoral house.i don't know why ,i never went to see other states.when my siblings n my family forced me to take a break, i landed up in the middle east for the first n last time.:)
When konkan train takes me to God's Own Country,the very sight of the lush greenery n rivers fill my mind with stimulating experiences.I admire the ladies,they are so beautiful,leaving their long hair,going to temples.through the window ,from train,i can enjoy the swaying coconut palm trees,alluring backwaters n emerald paddy fields.wow!the children ,all in crisp uniforms are going to school.I love guiding the tourists in the train where to visit n which places they should not miss etc.:)am i crazy?but i enjoy doing all these small n big things.
i love to wake up on a mist-softened morning in Kerala.the sun has not yet risen above the palms.the birds are chirping.to laze around n lie down in the bed.but no way!with Amma n Nanda around,''early to bed and early from bed'' is the rule.:)

today is Keralapiravi,which marks the birth of the state, Kerala.the state of Kerala was created on Nov.1st.1956.Malayalees around the world celebrate Nov.1st as Keralapiravi.
According to Hindu mythology Parashurama,the sixth incarnation of Mahavishnu created Kerala.Parashurama flung his Mazhu[a weapon]from Kanyakumari[Cape Comerin] to the sea and the sea receded to create the land Keralam.beforehand, it was three inependent provinces named Malabar,Cochin and Travancore.Kerala originally got its name after the first ruler,Keralian,who ruled one of these independent provinces in the early centuries.
Kerala clings like a slim ,green leaf,to the western mountains of India.The Western Ghats run all down the Arabian Sea facing side of the triangular wedge of peninsular India.there is also an eastern ridge of mountains,the Eastern Ghats;and the oldest mountains in India,the Aravallis and their successors the Vindhyas,which,roughly,link,the Western and Eastern Ghats at the northern and of the peninsula.nurtured by its climate and terrain fertilized by a rich variety of cultural streams,Kerala holds a fascinating mosaic of people.Kerala is a land of coconut trees.Keram means coconut and the land of coconut is Keralam.
Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of the state.great old buildings,palaces museums ,temples libraries ,the magestic mosque,Kovalam beach make the state capital beautiful.a trip to the beach is a must on every tourist's itinery.Kovalam Beach Resort offers you a wonderful stay.The Padmanabha Swamy Temple and Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple are opened only to Hindus.they attract thousands of pilgrims from all parts of the country.Sabarimala is world famous for the temple of LORD AYYAPPA.irrespective of cast n creed devotees rush to Sabarimala.November 16th is MANDALA KALAM,the holys eason starts for the devotees of LORD AYYAPPA.
Malayalam is the language of the state.Keralites are called Malayalees for the language spoken.the people form a well educated society.Kerala is the first state in India with 100% literacy.it wasn't long before the state government announced that its adult literacy drive had been amazingly successful.every single person can read n write.Kerala's women have had an enormous impact on the socio-economic profile of their state.Kerala owes a great debt to its clear thinking women.
There is no better way of getting to know people and their land than experiencing their festivals.some of Kerala's innumerable festivals,however ,stand out because of their uniqueness.the harvest festival,Onam is so popular with pookalam,folk dances n boat races gift giving and new clothes.the most famous of teh boat races is held in abackwater off the canal of Alleppey on the second of August.it is called the Nehru Boat Race because,the Cambridge -educated Jawaharlal Nehru,India's First Prime Minister,offered a trophy if such a race was organised,the greatest roar,however ,is reserved for the battleof the hundred-oared chundan valloms.you haven't seen water sports if you have not seen the battle of the chundan vallom of Alleppey.
Trichur is famous as the cultural capital of the state and for the temples and the attractive elephant march and Trichur Pooram.Lourdes Church is very popular.the famous festival of Thrissur Pooram is celebrated each year accompanied by a grand elephant procession.
the forested highlands of Kerala are at its great,protective back-bone.the Sahya mountains is lush and damp,capturing two monsoons every year,trapping the rains in its dense forests releasing those ocean distilled waters in a myriad streams and anumber of rivers.some of the forests are so dense that their flora and fauna in places such as the mysterious Silent Valley have not been completely assessed and recovered.Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary gives the tourists teh best way of viewing teh wildlife.
it is said,''All Indian food is hot and south Indian food is tHE hottest''.a favourite breakfast dish is puttu.rice flour dough is layered with great coconut,like a ribbon cake and steamed in a hollow vessel.it is eaten with sugar or with mashed or with a spicy curry made of channa or chickpeas.iddlis and dosa are also much in demand.Onam feast is traditional eaten on a banana leaf;very hygienic and disposable.the thorans are gravy less dishes.avial,the most favourite dish is a mixed vegetable gravy thickened with coconut and yoghurt.your salivary glands will respond very enthusiastically to your first mouthful of avial.some other popular dishes are olan,kalan,pachadi,stew and sambaar.no sadya is complete without having a hot cup of payasam.they are porridge like sweets with a vermicelli or rice base cooked in milk and sugar or jaggery.
fish curry and tapioca make a wonderful combination.
Kerala boasts of many a dance form.the dances of Kerala are very expressive.the Kathakali dancers wear bright n voluminous robes.the dancers' identification with their characters is as complete as is that of any great actor on amodern stage.today ,Kathakali is ahighly stylised but an extra ordinary evocative art which combines chant,drama,dance,make up dress and gesture into a package that spins a compelling spell.Mohiniyattam is the dance of the enchantress.this is one of the beautiful dance forms.My Little star loves Mohiniyattam the best and she performs well.even a poem is written on this dance form by her.
the chavittu natakam and thullal are also famous.
In a land where the coconut is king,many of the crafts of Kerala are woven and carved around the coconut.Coir,the protective fibre is used extensively in this sea-fringed state and if you drive from Kochi to Alleppeyyou will pass anumber of colourful roadside stalls with bright door-mats,wall hangings and carpets spread in attractive dispaly.Kerala lamps are very popular.the oil lamps are designed either to hang or to be free standing.a good selection of the range of crafts inclusing wood carving ,unusual bronzes and traditional jewellery is available.
Kottayam is the gateway o the Kuttanadu where the backwaters have been reclaimed as fields.for though the backwaters do reach out to the sea past other towns of Kerala,the character of Alleppey called by some,the Venice Of The East,reflects its watery hinterland most dramatically.there is nothing backward about the Backwaters of Kerala.
most of the keralites take bath twice aday.[I do].:)
in my earlier post ,I had mentioned about Aaranmula mirror.
Malayalam is consideerd to be very complete language it has fifty six alphabets and many more vowels.hey,non keralites,have you tried learning this beautiful language?
Kochi also known as teh Quen of the Arabian Sea is the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala.it has one of the finest natural harbour in the world.Ancient mariners from Arabia,China,Holland,Britian and Portuguese have all left their mark on this beautiful island city.
the lush greenery,the back waters,the swaying coconut palms,the green fields, Aha!Kerala is one of the most verdant state in India.It is the land with abundant natural resources,extremely fertile and a lush green throughout.rubber plantations,coconut gathering and fishing are important sources of livelihood.fishing nets sway in the breeze over the backwaters.Kerala is rich in spices.pepper creeper is a common sight..how can we miss the famous paintings of Raja Ravi Verma at the Chitra Art Gallery.Keralites are famous for their hospitality.the state has become internationally famous for its unique and spectacular Kathakali ,the masked dance drama.the banana markets invite teh tourists.the rolling tea plantations of Munnar,the beautiful scenery,make a tourist not to miss a trip to this hill station.how can you miss the roosting pigeons an dthe setting aun which are the spectacular sights of Veli Lagoon?Bolgatty Palace Hotel,Bolghatty,Mulavukud,is a very popular haunt for tourists seking accomodation.skimming over the backwaters in power boats offers a delightful experience.The Jewish Synagogue,Mattanchery boasts of several finely wrought gold and silver crowns gifted to the synagogue.Kalamezhuthu is the pristine art form of Kerala.the martial art of Kalaripayattu from which is popular.Kerala is one of the most progressive state in terms of social welfare.Keralites enjoy a unique cosmopolitan outlook,which is reflected in their tolerance towards other races and religion.so,it has been called Kerala as God's Own Country.in Kerala,an entire range of fascinating experiences await your body,mind and soul.experiences thatw ill revitalise every facet of your beingAurveda offers you two kinds of holiday options,Rejuvenaative and Therapeutic.monsoon is the ideal time for rejuvenation.Kerala's equable climate ,natural abundance of forests[with a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants]and the cool monsoon season[june-october]are the best suited for Ayurveda's curative and restorative measures.
Friends,
how can you resist the next trip to Kerala?Iam eagerly waiting for X'mas holidays to be with Amma in Trichur n to be in the high spirits of X'mas celebrations.let's explore the beautiful state more,let us introduce our cultural heritage to the young generation.
Please enjoy the song dedicated to all those who love Kerala.this is from the movie,Karumadi Kuttan.my non keralite friends will surely enjoy the video n may i remind you,folks,music doesn't have language to touch your heart!:)and while you are in Kerala ,never miss the sumptuous feast........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AMAL BOSE!MANY MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY!MAY GOD BLESS YOU TO HAVE ALONG LIFE WITH HEALTH,HAPPINESS N PROSPERITY!
it's anu signing off..........

Friends,let us be the citizens who are aware of our duties to do something that can make this land a better place!today i always used to make my colleagues wear the beautiful attractive traditional Kerala saree .but alas!today is sunday.

wishing you a wonderful day ahead,requesting you to pray for me for my external exam which will be held on 8th November,reminding you atleast on special occasions to wear the traditional dress,
Anu loves you all.....................
sasneham,
anu