In every index of social development — life expectancy, literacy, public health, environmental awareness, women’s education, housing, transportation, and sanitation — Kerala stands at the forefront among Indian States. Yet we must not forget that the State also leads in unemployment among the educated, in alcohol consumption, in mental morbidity, and in suicide rates associated with these issues. So, we have reasons both to take pride in ourselves and to be self-critical.
PART 1
Let us first consider what Kerala has to offer the rest of India. The foremost among these offerings, beyond question, is our tradition of religious harmony and universality — the very soul of our culture. Until quite recently, Kerala was praised as a living example of communal amity. Festivals like Onam, accepted and celebrated by the whole State, are striking proofs of this inclusiveness. The situation is no different with Thrissur Pooram and other such festivities. There are few places in India where people of different faiths live so closely together and invite one another to weddings and celebrations.
From our architecture to our dance and music, the imprint of multiple religions is evident. The skyline of Kerala is woven together with the domes of temples, the minarets of mosques, and the Gothic steeples of churches. The nalukettu and ettukettu houses — traditional wooden mansions — were built alike by Hindus and Muslims. Even today, art forms like Thiruvathirakali and Mohiniyattam, Mappilappattu and Oppana, Kolkkali and Duffmuttu and Margamkali — all continue to share a common stage in youth festivals. Classical dances like Kathakali and Ottan Thullal evolved not as sectarian arts but as collective cultural expressions.
