Kerala holds a place of honour among the people of India who have enriched Indian Cultural Heritage and helped the cause of national integration. The culture of Kerala is also a composite and cosmopolitan culture to which several people and races have made their significant contributions. Kerala's population comprises of a large number of the people from the Dravidians race, who also inhibit most of the southern part of India. Hinduism is the principal religion with considerable percentages of Muslims and Christians.

The cultural heritage of Kerala is revealed in its varied dance forms, martial arts and cuisine. Kathakali is a 300-year-old dance form developed exclusively in Kerala combining the performing art forms of opera, ballet, masque, and pantomime. Other dance forms of Kerala are Krishnanattom, Mohiniyattom, Thullal, etc Kerala has a distinctive cuisine, very unusual and different from the rest of India. Cooking in Kerala is all about discoveries, aromas and colors.The state is known for its variety of pancakes and steamed rice cakes made from pounded rice. In seafood, mussels are a favourite. Amongst the many forms of martial arts of Kerala are Kalaripayattu, Parisa Kali, Kunderu and Njaninmel Kali. . There is a lot to explore while you are on a tour to Kerala . Some of the well known performing art forms of Kerala are: Kalaripayatt, Mohiniyattom, Chakyar Koothu, Theyyam, Ottam Thullal, Loodiyattom,Bharathanatyam, Chavittunadakam, Poorakkali, Theyattu.

Thus, in its totality, Kerala's culture represents the triumph and success of it's people in every sphere, be it art and architecture, education or it's multifaceted religion. The present culture of Kerala is the result of the unique process of cultural synthesis and social assimilation.

The 10-day festival is Kerala's most important festival, honouring King Mahabali, a mythological king of ancient Kerala, whose period was reckoned as the golden age in the history of the state. He was the embodiment of virtues, goodness, so was his regime which was marked by equality and harmony among people

The celebrations that begin on Atham, reach a crescendo on Thiruvonam. In the town of Trichur, a vibrant procession of caparisoned elephants is taken out. While at Cheruthuruthy, people gather to watch Kathakali performers enact scenes from epics and folk tales. Performers painted to resemble wild tigers, dance to the beats of instruments like udukku and thakil. At Aranmulla, a temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna where thousands of people gather to witness the exciting snake boat races. Nearly 30 chundan vallams or snake boats participate in the festival, singing traditional boat songs. Each snake boat belongs to a village and is worshipped like a deity. Every year, the boat is oiled with fish oil, coconut shell and carbon, mixed with eggs to keep the wood strong and boat slippery in the water

One of the largest and most spectacular temple festivals of the world, the Thrissur Pooram unfolds against the backdrop of the famed Vadakumnathan Temple in Trichur, the sanctum of Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. Drawing huge masses of people and involving meticulous planning, this festival has been described as the ‘mother of all poorams’. It is essentially an assemblage of the ten deities from nearby temples paying homage to their lord and benefactor, Vadakumnathan. Principle participants are the two temples of Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi; their friendly and much feted rivalry enlivens the proceedings. The pooram culminates in a parade of thirty elephants from adjoining temples and some stunning fireworks at 2.30, next morning. / MORE /

It is literally a festival of dance and music. The annual Nishagandhi dance and musical festival is Kerala's premium one in that segment and a coveted one by leading artists of India. The next edition of this cultural treat would commence in January 20 to 26. Seven fascinating evenings, marked by different genres of dance and music is destined to have the audience captivated

The Nishagandhi dance and music festival is a grand occasion for art lovers in Kerala to get familiar with some of the best and upcoming talents in India and also to enjoy the magical performances of masters. Odissi, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Chhau, and Kuchipudi are some of the dance forms staged regularly as part of the festival, which also features sessions of Hindustani and Carnatic music renditions.

Kathakali is the  most popular sacred dance-drama of Kerla.  Kathakali evolved across the last 400 years.  This classical dance of Kerela requires lengthy and rigorous training to attain complete control of the body and a sensitivity to emotion so as to be able to render all its nuances through facial expressions and hand gestures / MORE /

A ritual dance form of Kerela,  glorifying the goddess.  Themes revolve around the triumph of the goddess over the demon Daruka and other evil characters.  Always performed by men, they also enact female roles wearing exotic make up and colorful costumes / MORE /

This is one of the most ancient martial arts in the world. Its purpose is to help maintain an inner and outer harmony in man and in society/ MORE /