Kerala, the impossibly green God's
own country is believed to have bee n created when God Parashurama,
bidding a farewell to his arms, asking forgiveness for his sins,
threw his axe from heaven which landed on southern India to form
this narrow verdant strip of land surrounded by the rolling hills
of the Western Ghats from top to bottom on its eastern edge and by
the Arabian Sea on the western edge. Enclosed within is a mossed
backwaters, abundant wildlife, paddy fields, a rich land bursting
with cashew, coconut and rubber plantations and a variety of spices
like Cardamom, pepper, turmeric, and ginger, making Kerala the spice
capital of India.
However, in spite of the deep and lasting impressions left by all
the settlers, the original inhabitants never surrendered his individual
identity or passionate awareness of his own culture. A unique and
spectacular dance from Kathakali, a masked dance drama . There is
the highly classical art of Koodiyattom the lyrically sensuous
dance of the enchantress-Mohiniattam, the religious fervor of Krishnattom
and the Kalaripayatu - the martial art form which Karate originated.
An intrinsic part of the traditional Kerala are its handicrafts.
Kerala's most important resources are the coconut palms. No part
of this tree is wasted and a flourishing coir industry exists because
of its plentiful presence. Coir products, woven from coconut husk
fiber are a Kerala specialty. Kerala is famous for intricate rosewood
and sandalwood carvings, ivory work, brass and "bell metal" lamps.
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