Malampuzha Dam
The biggest irrigation reservoir in Kerala, Malampuzha Dam, is located in the Palakkad district. Beautiful gardens, an amusement park and a rock garden surround the lake, made even more picturesque with the Western Ghats as the background.
Photo credits: R R Ranjith
Pulikkali, which means “tiger play”, is a popular folk art form, also known as Kaduvakali. This iconic Onam event is mainly practiced in the Thrissur and Palaghat districts of Kerala. Participants painstakingly paint their bodies like tigers and don tiger masks. (The process can take the entire day to complete with first the removal of body hair and then the application of multiple layers of paint.) The procession also includes men representing hunters. The best performers are chosen out of the hundreds of participants. Continue reading
Photo credits: R R Ranjith
The cattle race is one of the many charismatic Onam celebrations enjoyed by farmers during the end of the harvest season. A special 100 meter track filled with mud and water is created. The skilled drivers balance precariously on a modified plow while the pairs of bullocks charge through the farmland at hair-raising speed. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Once upon a time an Asura King Mahabali ruled Kerala, he was dearly loved by this country and was known to be a just and wise ruler. His story is recaptured in the popular folk song:
When Mahabali ruled the land
Everyone was equal
Happily they lived
Danger befell none
There was no falsehood or fraud
And no untruth
Common Acacia Blue Butterflies are seen in and around the Periyar Tiger Reserve and are found across South India and North East India up to 1200 meters. The are active from March to November, primarily in deciduous hill forests . Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Kerala is a land of celebrations and Onam in particular transcends regional and religious profiles. Of the many festivals that are celebrated here, Onam is the most spectacular event of all. It celebrates the return of King Mahabali, who sacrificed his life to save his people but is said to visit his subjects annually at the harvest time. Continue reading
Western Ghats
Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) has recently joined with the University of Alabama (UA) in Huntsville to help improve Kerala’s landslide alert system and the conservation of the Western Ghats. Both projects are currently in the development phases for testing, but implementations of such projects in Kerala could have profound and lifesaving affects. According to an article in The Hindu, a landslide alert system would be able to help predict landslides and give advanced warning to the authorities in the area.
Placed one kilometer apart above ground, the sensors, which cost about $300 each, register ground movement and record rainfall and soil moisture. The data is transferred to an off-site computer hosting a software model that provides advance warning of a landslip.
If testing proceeds, KSBB would place this system first in the Idukki district, an area known for having multiple landslides during the monsoon season. Predicting landslides in this area can save hundreds of lives, but this landslide alert system is not the only project in development that involves the UA and the KSBB working together to protect this region.
Parotta is a layered flat bread of Kerala, related to the Lacha Paratha of north India. Although it is found in many roadside restaurants, it is often served in special events and festivals. Parottas are eaten with chicken, mutton, beef and vegetable gravy. The main ingredients of parottas are Maida (white flour), baking powder, egg, vegetable oil (or ghee) and water. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Vadam Vali is a traditional game played by both men and women during the Onam festival. In this team event each team works to show their strength and unity by pulling their opponents across the center line. Continue reading
Fish fry with Tapioca and boiled rice
Fish in Kerala is called meen and Fish Fry is commonly known as meen varuthathu. Traditionally it is served with boiled rice and tapioca. Continue reading
Kizhi
Ayurveda is the science of life. Mythology says that this science of healing originated in the cosmic consciousness of Brahma – The Creator. Kizhi Treatment is a therapy where heated herbs and medicinal oil is tied in cloths and used as a bolus on the effected body part. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
The first day of the Onam celebrations starts on Atham day during the Malayalam month of Chingam, which this year falls today, 7th September 2013. The date is ten days before Thiruvonam. The creation of Athapookalam is an important part of every Onam festival. This special, circular arrangement of flowers is one of the most iconic Onam traditions. Continue reading
Boiled Tapioca and Green chilies chammanthi
Native to Brazil where it is known as Manioc, tapioca is the most popular ingredient in Kerala cuisine, second only to coconut. A large variety of delectable dishes can be prepared from this starchy root vegetable. One example is boiled tapioca and green chilies chammanthi, which are often eaten as evening snacks. Continue reading
Photo credits: R R Ranjith
Krishnapuram Palace is located in Kayamkulam, in the Alappuzha district of Kerala. The palace was built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture during the 18th century by King Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma. Continue reading
If you visit Kuttanad, Kerala at a certain time of year, you are able to hear on the rice fields a noise one might not expect, the quacking of ducks. It is not the sound of a few ducks, but the sound of thousands. In Kuttanad when the harvest season is finished duck farmers move in, and take their flocks through the pre-designated rice fields for feeding.
Aby, a 38-year old duck farmer calculates that his 10,000 ducklings are worth around Rs. 24 lakh. According to him, if the ducks survive through the period, one can save up to Rs. 5 lakh a season, despite expenses for medicine and daily wages for his helpers.
This is a livelihood for many of the farmers, but their process differs greatly from many of the commercial duck farmers you will see in the United States. Some US duck farms can process up to 70,000 ducks per week at a single site, but the good news is that duck farmers who visit Kuttanad have neither the facilities nor manpower to produce or maintain such large quantities. Instead these farmers spend 6 months of the year keeping their flocks on the move, to keep them feeding until they are ready to sell. In some ways this is the definition of “free range” meat, but at what cost? Continue reading
Photo credits: R R Ranjith
Ashtami Rohini is the celebration of the birthday of Lord Krishna. Also known as Sri Krishna Jayanti, the festival is celebrated during the month of Chingam on the Rohini star in Kerala’s Malayalam calendar, falling this year on August 28 , 2013. For this festival all the temples of Lord Sri Krishna are decorated with lights and devotees visit the temple with children dressed up as Lord Sri Krishna. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Pulluvan Pattu is the music sung by the caste known as Pulluvas, which means lower caste. It is accompanied by hand-made stringed instruments such as Pulluva Veena. In Kerala this is the traditional music is associated with the worship of Snake Gods.
Chammanthi
Chammanthi is one of the Kerala’s regional dishes. Traditionally whole coconut and red chillies are roasted over burning charcoal and then pounded and freshly ground with onion, curry leaves, ginger, tamarind and salt on an Ammikallu (a classic tool consisting of slightly concave stone with a cylindrical pestle). Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Semi-classical dance is a style that combines classical dance steps with a more contemporary feel. The movements are not as intricate as pure classical forms. This hybrid style features extensive body movements, expressions, grace, speed and immense creativity, giving the final product a more modern feel. Continue reading
Photo credits: M N Shaji
The poet and social reformer Sree Narayana Guru Swami (1856 to 1924) is considered a great saint due to his preaching of “one caste, one religion and one God for humanity”. His 159th birthday was celebrated yesterday (August 22nd 2013), during the Malayalam month of Chingam on the Chadayam star. Continue reading
Organikos 