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Kerala is known for its panoramic backwater stretches, lush
green paddy fields, highlands and beaches. The entire state of
Kerala is blessed with plenty of rivers and the resources of
many are still untapped. The waterways of Kerala play a main
role in the economy of the state, links remote villages and
islands with the main land. The water ways provide a cheap and
economical mode of transport. It is incredibly different
experience to cruise in the backwaters in country boats,
absorbing the beauty of Kerala villages. The scenery flashes
up vivid contrasts of breath-taking greens and deep blues.
Boat rides, houseboat cruises and holiday packages are
available for tourist and others at nominal rates.
Beaches
Kovalam
"Kovalam" means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name
the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees. The
crescent-shaped beach has three parts. The southern most
beach, and the most popular, is light house beach. It offers
an amazing sight of Vizhinjam mosque. The northern Samudra is
a laidback one and time seems stands still here. The middle,
hawah, in the early day, is a beehive of activities with
fishermen setting out for sea. With a high rock promontory and
a calm bay of blue waters, this beach paradise creates a
unique aquarelle on moonlit nights. It is warm and clean
filled with the coconut trees and the white sandbed as the sea
breeze gently plays with the waves. Swimming and bathing are
very refreshing and exhilarating in the waves. One can walk
into the sea for about 100 meters without loosing ground. This
cove is also the safest place for swimming. At many coastal
places there are beautiful patches of coral reefs. The
underwater views, which are visible during snorkeling, are
really marvelous.
Azure water and favorable climate make Kovalam a favorite
year-round spot for swimming. Sea here is pacific and shallow
where you can take a dip in the saline waters. The clean white
sandy beach will arouse a temptation irresistible: to lie idle
on the sands and tan your body. You could get into any of the
Ayurvedic massage centre and indulge in a rejuvenating herbal,
body-toning massage and holistic therapies.
Varkkala
It is a beautiful beach resort and pilgrim centre 40 km north
of Thiruvananathapuarm. SIVAGIRI MUTT here devoted to SRI
NARAYANA GURU who preached 'One caste, One religion, one God
for man' is a pilgrim center for the Guru's followers. There
are YOGA and MASSAGE centers offering traditional Ayurvedic
and Swedish massage and Swedish Massage techniques
Alappuzha
Alappuzha beach is one of the most popular spots in the
district of Alappuzha. Its beautiful garden on the shore gives
an exclusive sight. Imposing buildings of a colonial past
overlook the shore. The pier, which extends into the sea is
more than 140 years old and is a rare sight. Dense Palm groves
at one end and an ancient towering light house at the other,
Vijay Park and Sea view park are all spectacular sights one
should never miss. Boating Facility is available in both
Parks.
Hill
Stations
Munnar
Munnar hills is siatuated at an altitude of 5000 to 8000 Ft
above sea level. and is situated at the confluence of three
mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathani & Kundala. This
beautiful hill station was once the summer resort of the
erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling Tea
plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, and holiday
facilities make this a popular resort town.Munnar also has the
highest peak in South India - Anamudi , which towers over 2695
m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking. The high ranges of
Munnar were earlier known as Kannan Devan Hills,named after a
certain Kannan Devan,who had been land lord in the Anchanad
Valley on the eastern side of the district. The main
cultivation crops in Munnar are Tea and Coffee
Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands in
Munar is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills
in the blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. .
Art
Kerala, the God's Own Country, is one of the most colorful and
culturally rich states of India. Kerala has a very rich
cultural heritage, which dates back to thousands of years. The
cultural richness of fascinating Kerala can be viewed in its
beautiful dances, martial arts forms and other performing
arts. The people of Kerala are known for their liveliness and
vibrancy and love to celebrate their happiness in the form of
folk dances and music. There are several dance forms in Kerala
including Kathakali and Mohiniattam, which are appreciated all
over the world. Other famous dances of Kerala are
Bharathanatyam, Theyyam and Chakyarkoothu. Visit Kerala and
enjoy its colorful dances of on Kerala Cultural Tour with
Kerala Backwaters.
Kathakali
Is Kathakali a stylized dance-drama? Is it a pantomime? Can it
be called a classical ballet? One of the world's top-ranking
poets and Nobel Laureates Rabindranath Tagore was instantly
impressed by the aesthetic range and the narrative techniques
of Kathakali when Kalamandalam presented a programme in
Santiniketan. Along with Manipuri Tagore included Kathakali in
the curriculum of Viswabharati. Kathakali was born only in the
17th century. But in less than four centuries it grew up to
represent India's cultural heritage to the world outside. An
eclectic art Kathakali evolved its classicism receiving
inspiration from most of its predecessors such as Koodiyaattam,
Krishnanaattam, Raamanaattam, Theyyam, Mudiyeettu and martial
arts like Padayani and Kalarippayattu.
Thiruvathirakali
Thiruvathirakali is a classical dance form, which is a pointer
to the old customs followed in the Nair tharawads (joint
families). In this dance form, the women of the house dance
elegantly around the ceremonial lamp or floral decoration on
festive occasions to the accompaniment of the Thiruvathira
pattu (song).
Theyyam
Theyyam is one of the most outstanding ancient dance form
of Kerala. It has its origin in the northern parts of the
state. It is a very fascinating ritual practiced for centuries
by the tribal people and the villagers of Northern Kerala.
This folk art form is also called Thirayattam, because every
thira or village performed this ritualistic art at the village
temple. The Theyyam or Kolam (a form or shape), represents a
mythological, divine or heroic character. There are over 350
Theyyams in northern Kerala.
Thullal
Thullal is a considerably simplified single-actor
performing art that enjoyed much more popular appeal than
Kathakali, the so called ‘total theatre’. Kunchan Nambiar who
lived in the 18th century composed dozens of tullal stories,
adding to the literature of the local language, Malayalam, a
new genre which consisted of narrative poetry replete with
social criticism surcharged with pungent satire and sarcasm.
These compositions were singularly suitable for presentation
on the stage attracting even the unsophisticated illiterate
through highly rhythmic recitation enlivened by closely
accompanying percussion instruments and agile dance involving
mono-act. Thullal has three varieties - Seethankan, Ottan and
Parayan. The distinction between them lies mostly in the
make-up and costumes and to some extent in the meters and the
rhythm used. Thullal often reflects the literary, artistic and
cultural life of the medieval Kerala. In Thullal, episodes
from the Indian epics are retold in simple Malayalam couplets
that are interconnected and resemble blank verse. The stylized
singing of the lines carries with it the beauty of the
dravidian meters. Thullal is a solo performance. As a
semi-stylized dance-theatre, Thullal is a more popular
entertainment than other temple arts. In the present day it
has turned out to be an effective medium of even
election-campaign. The performer establishes easy rapport with
the audience through verbal acting which is full of humor and
social references.
Festivals
Onam
is the national festival of the Malayalees. It is a festival
quite unique to Kerala. Like all other traditional festivals,
the promotion of amity and social cohesion is the aim of
celebrating Onam. There is a popular myth associated with Onam.
The Gods became jealous of the goodwill enjoyed by the Asura
King Mahabali, the benevolent king of Kerala. So they plotted
a way to get rid of him. Lord Vishnu came down to earth in the
guise of Vamana, a midget. He took advantage of the good
king’s benevolence and tricked him into leaving his kingdom
and kicked Mahabali to the nether world. But as a courteous
gesture, Lord Vishnu gave Mahabali permission to visit his
kingdom and people once a year. This visit of Mahabali marks
Onam, the festival of plenty.
The main feature of the festival of Onam is a vociferous
welcome to King Mahabali.In millions of households in Kerala.
Onam is symbolized by icons that are literally earthy. Made of
clay or mud, these conical objects are adorned with flowers
and worshipped as Thrikkakara Appan, symbolizing the vamana
avatharam of Lord Vishnu, which is central to the Onam legend.
That Onam is being celebrated in Tirupaty also confirms the
fact that Onam was popular in the southern region before
becoming confined to Kerala after the 10th century AD. Mangudy
Marudanar, one of the noted poets of the Sangam Age, is said
to have described the Onam celebrations in the Pandyan capital
of Madurai in one of his poems.
Vallamkali or Boat Races
This is a typical keralite festival of boat races. It is held
in August in the Punnamada Kayal, which commemorates the visit
of former Prime Minister, Late Jawaharlal Nehru to Alleppey.
Similar boat races are held also at Aranmual and Champakulam,
which has a religious significance. The later commemorates an
episode involving the idol of Sri Krishna, which was lifted
from Kurichi by the Chempakasseri Raja's men for consecration
in the Ambalapuzha. The idol had to rest in the house of a
Syrian Christian at Chempakulam. Therefore, even today the
flag and coir rope required for the Chempakulam boat race is
supplied from the local Kallurkad Church.
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