7 ASTOUNDING THINGS ABOUT KERALA, INDIA
In my two week stay in Kerala, India, I was able to spot some astounding things about the place which marked in my mind. These are the trademark of Kerala
The women of Kerala in beautiful saris
1. WOMEN IN THEIR BEST ATTIRE EVERYDAY
Contrary to what you see in other cities, wherein people are just wearing their casual wear every day, the majority of women in Kerala wear traditional saris. The Sari is a beautiful traditional attire of women in India; a piece of cloth wrapped around their bodies like a long dress with a blouse on top. In some districts of Kerala, India, you can also see women wearing long pants with a blouse, usually with some kind of matching scarf wrapped over their shoulders.
I also noticed, most or shall I say almost all women in Kerala wear jewelry to match their beautiful Saris.
Bloggers in Traditional Indian Attire: Mirela Surghie from Romania glam up with her nice sari for our farewell party at Kerala Blog Express 3. Yours truly is wearing a Kurta .The Kurta is a traditional Indian shirt ,a loose straight cut shirt falling either just above or somewhere below the knees of the wearer.
2. MEN IN SKIRT
If the women in Kerala wear saris, the men in Kerala have it easy by wearing skirts . Oh, well ,wearing this skirt is not as common as compared to the women wearing saris. This skirt-like bottom garment is called the dhoti.
The Captain waiter from Windflower resort demonstrated to me how to wear the dhoti. A dhoti is from four to six feet long white or colored cotton. This traditional attire is mainly worn by men in the villages. It is held in place by a style of wrapping and sometimes with the help of a belt, ornamental and embroidered or a flat and simple one, around the waist.
I assume they have a much easier time than their female counterparts dealing with the hot weather. Shirt-wise most wears just a basic short-sleeved button-up or loose shirt. In rural areas, it is common to see men wearing the dhoti folded like a short skirt. Probably, they do this when doing some difficult task or for comfort.
Keralan men wearing the dhoti
3. UNIQUE RECEPTION
Traditional Kerala, India welcome. Instead of shaking hands guests are welcomed with a smile and ‘Tilak’ on the forehead. On our trip in Kerala, the majority of the resorts and hotels we’d visited, received us with tilak which is a reflection of their very unique culture.
Of course, I need to mention that we were well received with some fanfare during our trips such as the drum beats and some traditional elements and symbols.
These fresh leis floral leis were very common when the Keralans welcome their guests, at times they even use spices such as cardamom as lei materials as well as shells.
Kerala is a land of coconut , so a fresh coconut juice is also common as a welcome drink. Take note the flowers that I am holding, It’s only in Kerala, India that I received a bouquet of flowers.
One thing which I really miss in Kerala are the sounds of these drums which were used to welcome their guests. Some drum beaters even dance while making the beautiful festive sounds.
4. FRIENDLY PEOPLE
Another, heartwarming thing very noticeable about Kerala is their warmth and nice smiles. It is very common seeing Keralans smile whenever they see tourists around. I guess Kerala, India is one of the most tourist-friendly place I ever visited.
5. FACIAL EXPRESSIONS IN THEIR TRADITIONAL DANCES
I got an opportunity to witness a demonstration of traditional Kerala dances at Kerala Kalamandalam, Deemed University for Art and Culture. Special features of most Kerala Dances are characterized by hand gestures, facial expression, and eye movement.
A Kathakali actor uses immense concentration, skill, and physical stamina, gained from regimented training based on Kalaripayattu, the ancient martial art of Kerala, to prepare for his demanding role. The training can often last for 8–10 years and is intensive. In Kathakali, the story is enacted purely by the movements of the hands (called mudras or hand gestures) and by facial expressions (rasas) and bodily movements. The expressions are derived from Natyashastra (the tome that deals with the science of expressions) and are classified into nine as in most Indian classical art forms. Dancers also undergo special practice sessions to learn control of their eye movements.
6. SUPER SPICY FOOD
Kerala, India is the land of spices. So, it might not be surprising that they love food that explodes with spices when eaten.
7. UNIQUE FESTIVALS
I was privileged to have witnessed some colorful festivals in Kerala, India. Kerala festivals have traditionally been preserved as part of the arts and culture of this land.
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