Learning about a State of Traditional Heritage

Kerala, fondly known as ‘God’s Own Country’, is a state nestled along the southwestern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Famous for its lush greenery, tranquil backwaters, and pristine beaches, Kerala is one of India’s most desired tourist destinations.

The state of Kerala was formally established in 1956, but the region’s history dates back millenia. Evidence of the first prehistorical settlements in the region have been documented through the numerous mesolithic, neolithic, and megalithic sites found throughout the state. The first recorded mentions of Kerala come much later, in the 3rd century BCE, when the region was governed by the Chera dynasty. During this period, Kerala (known as Keralaputra under the Chera dynasty, then as Malabar within foreign trade circles) established trade routes with Mediterranean, Arabian, Eastern African, and East Asian ports. Kerala’s recent past is also a mosaic of influences from various colonial powers, including the Dutch, French, and Portuguese, those legacies also linger in the state’s architecture, cuisine, and customs. In modern Kerala, traces of the past continue to be found and documented.

Kerala’s traditional heritage—i.e., forms of heritage developed and preserved within rural communities—is particularly revered. These include temples, architecture, festivals, cuisine, dialects, rituals and rites, performative arts, traditional craftsman ship, traditional knowledge, music, and religious practices. The state comprises of different ethnic groups, religious practices, castes, and professions, each of which practice and protect unique variations of Kerala’s cultural and environmental heritage. However, many also face challenges in propagating their crafts. Much of Kerala’s agrarian or traditional heritage is not formally protected or documented. As Kerala’s economic, environmental, and social fabric changes, many believe that time-honored traditions, practices, and knowledge are at risk of become obsolete.

This platform’s goal is to record the stories of people, objects, and landscapes that are grappling with unprecedented changes. What threatens their traditional heritage? What histories, memories, and discoveries go undocumented? What are unconventional ways heritage is conserved in Kerala? What stories does each site, item, or person want to tell?