The Malayali people are a group of people, who speak Malayalam, originating from the Indian state of Kerala. The Malayali identity is primarily linguistic, although in recent times the definition has been broadened to include emigrants of Malayali descent who partly maintain Malayali cultural traditions
While the majority of Malayalis belong to Kerala, significant populations also exist in other parts of India, the Middle East, Europe and North America & various parts of India. According to the Indian census of 1991, there were 28,096,376 speakers of Malayalam in Kerala, making up 96.6% of the total population of that state. Hence the word Keralite is often used in the same context, though a proper definition is ambiguous
Malayalis have a rich artistic and cultural tradition. These traditions give rise to art forms and festivals that are vibrant and colorful. Dance forms are intricate, gentle, and artistic.
Festivals often involve elaborate processions of elephants accompanied by the sounds of drums, cymbals, and firecrackers.The cultural traits of Malayalis are similar to those of the Tamils and other Dravidians as well.
Ottamthullal is a type of performing art from Kerala, India. Also known as the "poor man's Kathakali", Ottamthullal was created by the Malayali poet Kunchan Nambiar, as an alternative to the Chakyar koothu, as a protest against the prevalent socio-political structure and prejudices of the region. In Ottamthullal, a single actor wears colorful costumes, while reciting thullal (dance songs), all the while acting and dancing.
Malayalis have derived their own form of Indian classical music. It is given the name Sopanam. Sopanam is a form of Indian classical music developed in the temples of Kerala in the wake of the increasing popularity of the Jayadeva's 'Gita Govinda' or 'Ashtapathi'.
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Tuesday, July 21, 2009
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