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Jul 08 '16
Kerala is mostly non-communal because of the communist legacy. I'm not a CPM supporter, but I can only imagine the havoc if Muslim league or BJP come to power with a majority there. Thankfully, my keralite bretheren have not been overtly influenced by these communal organizations like PFI (SDPI) and RSS. Things are starting to go the wrong way, but I have hope that Kerala will not give way to divisive politics.
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u/wanderingmind Jul 09 '16
The primary self-identities within Kerala was poor and rich. Now that has changed to poor, middle-class and rich. The newer identities are strongly communal - religion or caste-based. They are still not powerful enough but could become powerful.
That way, five years of CPM with no obligations to any religion or caste, could help destroy the new identities. UDF's dependence on the Muslim League strengthened all communal identities in reaction.
What might go wrong? Showing off. Kerala is now in a phase where there is competitive showing off between neighbours, churches, mosques, religions... build bigger churches, mosques and temples, have louder festivals, get more elephants and so on. Each such step results in the other communities raising the bar. The typical Malayali love for simplicity is disappearing fast.
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Jul 09 '16
How much of a threat do you think the PFI is? It's is rapidly spreading in Kerala. Many of my Muslim friends who were earlier staunch supporters of LDF or the Muslim League are moving towards PFI. I've heard PFI gives martial arts training to the cadres. Also, do you there is a rise of religious fundamentalism as rabid communal groups like RSS and PFI are on the rise.
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u/wanderingmind Jul 09 '16
All true. PFI is a problem, and when it comes to violence, they are ready for it. Pretty much on the same level as the Marxists and RSS when it comes to violence, at the moment. RSS has always been strong in Kerala - just that they are diffused across constituences so can't show any political results.
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u/arastu Jul 09 '16
I don't know too much about Kerala politics even though half my family is from there. The way a Keralite friend explained it to me was:
Christians --> Kerala Congress
Muslims --> Muslim League
Upper-caste Hindus --> Congress
Lower-caste Hindus --> Communists
How true was his explanation? If what he said was true, then the political landscape looks pretty communal to me. I'd say Tamil Nadu is an example of truly non-communal politics. DMK/AIADMK don't really have any religious basis.
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u/sachp Jul 09 '16
The situation is changing (somewhat) BJP is growing in popularity especially among upper-caste Hindus
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u/wanderingmind Jul 11 '16
More like a list of preferences. So for Christians, first preference is Kerala Cong, then Cong and then CPIM/ CPI.
Similarly for the rest too. Muslims will vote League - but not always. CPM/Cong too get their votes.
Upper caste Hindus will vote Cong, CPM, other parties.
Lower caste Hindus vote CPM/ CPI / other Left / Cong.
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u/VaikomViking Jul 12 '16
Kerala had the first democratically elected communist government in the world, back in 1957. This pushed Kerala into world spotlight and was a darling of Soviet Union. Back in 1980s, if you just sent your address to a particular address (forgot what it was) they used to send a magazine "Soviet Union" (in Malayalam !!) free of cost. Not sure if it was monthly or quarterly.
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u/MrJekyll Jul 10 '16
This is what my sister says about it :
'Gods on Country, devil's own people'
This is what I say about it :
Nice place for a short ( a very short ) vacation.
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u/officedepot23 Jul 10 '16
Why does she say that?
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u/blue69er Jul 12 '16
Life in Kerala is a bit slow paced prolly that's why... brilliant for a vacation but slowly for people accustomed to the big cities, it wears down
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u/MrJekyll Jul 10 '16
She has dealt with more mallus than me - having studied there.
PS: We are mallus(born, raised & living outside kerala). Our parents though, now live in Kerala.
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u/despod Jul 14 '16
Almost all women who are brought up/lived a significant amount of time in metro cities will loath to come back to Kerala. It's a pretty conservative place when compared to the metros.
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u/Human_Monkey Jul 13 '16
There is one other important thing that people are forgetting about Kerala. Idukki Gold.
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u/dtnk Jul 08 '16
Aah, the sex ratio...
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Jul 08 '16
It balances the sex ratio of the north. Especially haryana.
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u/pathrov Jul 08 '16
That doesn't matter. No one is Kerala would be willing to marry their daughter to a Haryanvi.
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Jul 08 '16
A single village in haryana, near Delhi, has more than 200 Kerala brides.
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u/wanderingmind Jul 09 '16
That I heard was changing. It was a good idea some ten years back, but some of the women have gone back home and warned others against opting for it. Heard it from some journalists in Delhi.
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Jul 08 '16
Kerala is the anti-haryana when it comes to most factors. Haryana is a mini Saudi Arabia within India which Kerala guys don't migrate to.
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u/riazji Jul 08 '16
But the women are finding their way to the North
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Jul 08 '16 edited Jul 08 '16
Yes there was an article on Hindu about how Haryanvi men are seeking Kerala brides. Many of the Kerala women who married the Haryanvi men came back to their parents in Kerala because of the regressive culture up north.
edit: Here's the link
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/coming-south-in-search-of-a-bride/article7322622.ece
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u/rhymeswithend Jul 12 '16
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Movie: Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi - Beautiful movie, mostly due to the constant travelling setting it had.
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Dulquer "Salmaan" - Thats a Muslim name. Is it popular among Malayalees?
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Kerala has the most beautiful locations during monsoon times. If there is one place I'd like to settle down in, I'd choose a small village near Vagamon.
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Jul 08 '16
How is the situation of stray dogs currently that was so much in news last year?
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u/wanderingmind Jul 09 '16
Stray dogs sleep for 11 months a year. Then, suddenly, they all wake up, bite a bunch of kids, bark at a bunch of adults, kill goats and chickens and scares the entire state. 30 days later, they go back to hibernation.
Something similar happens with Mullaperiyar dam also. For 30 days, the dam vibrates, develops cracks and creates earthquakes. Then it self-heals and sleeps.
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Jul 08 '16 edited Jul 08 '16
I think Malayalis need to tone down our "samarapaarambaryam" (tradition of struggle) a bit and think intelligently about creating wealth. We can probably start by translating capitalism as dhanavaadam or dhanaswaathantryavaadam or something similarly positive rather than muthalaalitham. Adhwaanikkunna janavibhaagam (hardworking masses) should remember: without muthal (capital), there's no thozhil (jobs). More than any other -ism, what Kerala needs today is a good dose of common sense-ism.
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u/ninjanamaka Jul 08 '16
EMS our first CM did not take over private companies. He had stated that without any revenue the state cannot give out welfare. He was a very practical guy with ideas about how to take forward communism while keeping democracy intact.
The aversion to capital is only at an ideological level. The moment a guy invests capital in a he becomes a muthalaali, a capitalist. He is getting labour out of people in exchange for money and that in itself is exploitation. It makes one guy in control of another. No one is stupid enough to demand all businessmen to leave the country. capitalism is an accepted route to socialism with the transition fueled by increase in technology and more autonomy granted to workers due to that. I do agree that there is an obsession with co-operatives because of the baggage of ideology but most politicians are not militant about it.
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u/venkyprasad Jul 11 '16
Parents, why do you give your kids names that are guaranteed to get them beaten up on the playground
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u/krisbykreme Jul 09 '16 edited Jul 09 '16
Guys help me compile the Best places/restaurants to eat food in all the 14 districts:
Kasaragod: Viceroy for Mutton Biriyani.
Kannur:
Calicut: Paragon for Appam and stew, Porotta and Mango fish curry etc.
Kochi : Kaikka's for Biriyani
Thiruvananthapuram : Indian Coffee House
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u/HungryMagnum Jul 13 '16
Thiruvananthapuram : Indian Coffee House
Is this the light house one near the bus stand and railway station?
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u/qpaw Jul 08 '16
One of the things I observed about Keralites is how politically and socially aware an average man was. Almost everyone reads one or the other newspaper and has an informed opinion of the happenings around him. There is a lot of political activism in colleges and even in schools. I guess this is as a result of decades of communist rule there. Many people still think in terms of common man/workers (us) vs government/capitalists (them).
And I just love their movies. Malayalam movies have always been about realistically portraying good stories. The dialogues are intelligent and the plots are believable. Recent movies by guys like Dulquer, Nivin Pauly and Fahadh are show how movies can be good entertainers without using the usual ingredients that go into making a Bollywood blockbuster.
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u/SILENT_neerav Jul 08 '16
I watched the movie Amar Akbar Anthony and i just loved the subtle humour. Can you name any other similar kind of movies?like Masala Republic ??
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u/ninjanamaka Jul 08 '16
Vellimoonga is good comedy film. And Maheshinte prathikaram is fun in parts.
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u/ZaphodBeeblebrox Jul 08 '16
Action Hero Biju
I know the title makes it seem stupid but it is actually really good.
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Jul 08 '16
Subtle humor? AAA? You sure you watched the right movie? AAA was panned by critics across the state and it nowhere compares to the standards of malayalam comedies.
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u/Notverymany Jul 08 '16
Some of the Kerala curries I've had tasted sort of like Thai curries mixed with Indian curries. It was amazing.
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Jul 08 '16
everybody is welcome to r/kerala
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Jul 08 '16
Haryana loves this state for one reason. A lot of haryanvis go to Kerala to find a bride. It is said that due to Kerala ladies in haryana families, the patriarcy of haryana has come down and the situation of women has improved.
Here is one such documentary about it.
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u/saanisalive Jul 08 '16 edited Jul 08 '16
Fun fact: Kerala had [one night stands] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambandam#Namboodiri_veli) that was accepted by the society around 100 years back.
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u/ninjanamaka Jul 08 '16
Fun fact: Poonkunnam railway station, near Thrissur was built so that a high ranking railway officer could visit his sambandham with ease.
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u/Lombdi Jul 09 '16
ELI5 please. That looks more like live-in relationship than one night stand.
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u/saanisalive Jul 09 '16
The high caste Namboodiri Brahmins would come to visit the Nair ladies for Sambandham. They would leave the day after. The children born under such relationships are the complete responsibility of the Nair family. The child wont have anything to do with his dad or his property.
The Nair families used to consider it a matter of pride to have a bloodline from the Namboodiris. The weird thing is, just during this night there is no untouchability. After that, the mother and the son are not even allowed within 1 feet of the father. Also, the same Namboodiri can have sambandhams at many Nair families, but they are not allowed to have a normal marriage with another Namboodiri woman. Only the eldest son in the Namboodiri family can have such marriages.
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Jul 11 '16
And many of them are in Bangalore. I'm a Bangalorean and I was made to watch this movie "Bangalore days"; thanks to all the harping about the movie everywhere. So in the movie, they've shown Bangalore like its NYC or something. It felt good no doubt, but when I spoke to friends from Kerala, I heard that's how the city Bangalore is perceived. No wonder Bangalore is overflowing with them. One whole department at my workplace is filled with them. And when I enter the room, I feel like I'm in Thrissur.
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u/UnbiasedPashtun Jul 10 '16
Do Malayalis know they are of Tamil origin? The state of Kerala was considered part of Tamilakam during the Sangam Era and the people there were considered Chera Tamils. It was only until the migration of the Sanskrit speaking Nambudiri Brahmins from North India that the separation of Malayalis from Tamils started.
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u/blue69er Jul 12 '16
Naw...that isn't what happened..even if it was, I won't admit to that...too much malayali pride to side with our arch enemies..:p
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u/Loipopo Jul 10 '16
Literacy rate and sex ratio.
Coconut trees and peaceful beaches.
Ancient martial art = kalaripayattu - jasmine simhalan
Iwouldlove toknowmore.
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u/Mycroft-Tarkin Jul 08 '16
I lived in Munnar for 7 years. I would go back there in an instant if given the opportunity. Beautiful, serene place.
I have a special place in my heart for Kerala. Keralite people are very educated, sensible, very hard working, and have a lot of civic sense. It's no wonder that they have such a great literacy rate.
Most of my Keralite friends when I lived in the Gulf hated their state, and I could never understand why. Btw, the Gulf is FILLED with you people. In Dubai, a lot of Arabs even speak broken Malayalam.
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u/HungryMagnum Jul 13 '16
I am telling you, we are thinking of invading everywhere at once. The thought process itself is too tiring.
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u/wanderingmind Jul 09 '16
hated their state
Its a reaction to leaving - suddenly, you see all that is negative about the state very clearly. But its a phase. After 10-15 years in the Gulf, nostalgia strikes and they all go back.
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u/saanisalive Jul 08 '16 edited Jul 08 '16
Movies to watch:
80s and 90s (Golden age of Malayalam cinema):
Drama: Thoovanathumbikal, Bhratham, Kireedam, Namukku Parkan Munthirithoppukal, Perumthachan, Parinayam, Vidheyan, Mathilukal, Ponthanmada
Comedy: In Harihar Nagar, Sandesham, Mannar Mathai Speaking, Ramji Rao Speaking, Nadodikattu
Action/Thriller: Commisioner, The King, The Truth, Oru CBI Diarykurippu.
Post 2008 (The revival period)
Drama/Romance/Comedy: Premam, Bangalore Days, Om Shanti Oshana, Action Hero Biju, Ayalum Njanum Thammil, Beautiful, Manjadikkuru, Ennu Ninte Moideen
Thriller: Traffic, Indian Rupee, Drishyam, Ee Adutha Kalathu, 22 Female Kottayam, Mumbai Police, Memories
Anthology: 5 sundarikal, Kerala Cafe
Things to eat:
Veg: Sadya, Puttu and Kadala, Idiyappam and Veg Stew, Parippu Vada (Snack), Neyyappam (Snack), Unniyappam (Snack), Pazhampori (Snack)
Non veg: Beef ularthiyathu, Thalaserry Biriyani, Kudampuli fish curry and rice, Chicken stew with Appam/Idiyappam
Places to visit:
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Alleppey (House Boats, Backwaters, Beach resorts)
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Wayanad (Western Ghats, Tree houses, Forests and National parks)
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Kovalam, Varkala (Beaches and resorts)
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Cochin/Ernakulam (Shopping, Old Jew architecture, Fishing nets)
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Munnar (Hill station, Eravikulam National Park)
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Thekkady (Hill station, Boat rides)
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Thiruvananthapuram (Capital, Museum, Zoo)
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Thrissur (Temple town, Guruvayur)
Feel free to ask in the comments about anything you need to know.
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u/free_hot_drink Jul 09 '16
Thank You Fellow Human ! ..
I lived in Kerala for 3+ Years, but sadly was unable to learn the language even after trying a lot.
(Or actually being threatened by my Malayalee friends to stop trying to speak the language after they heard my pronunciations of a central Indian butchering their language )
I loved Malayalam Cinema and my then GF would help me understand them by translating some bits.
So my question:
As someone who doesn't havnt access to the sub titles of the movies you suggested , or Malayalee friends any more ( other than torrents maybe , but I dont always find subs there )Would you be able to suggest any sites etc where I can watch these movies ?
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u/saanisalive Jul 09 '16
My non mallu friends tell me that this is a popular site where they watch mallu movies.
The subtitles are usually available for the new movies in subscene. Unfortunately, for the older ones, they are a bit tough to get. :(
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u/popeculture Jul 12 '16
Thanks.
I wish I had more time to link a few. Your choice of movies from the golden era and mine don't have much of an overlap. Abundance of choice, I guess.
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u/trander6face Jul 08 '16
Once I chatted with cute malayalee girl overseas... She asked me where I was from... I told I my native was near Palakkad.. She was too much excited and told me she was also from a place near Palakkad... And also she asked me the name of the place... I told it was some 40 odd kms from Palakkad and cue the expression change on her face when I told the name of the place was Coimbatore
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Jul 08 '16
That's because the poor girl was hit on by several tamil fellows across the border.
Tamil fella here. I didn't hit on her, Bro.
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Jul 08 '16
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u/trander6face Jul 08 '16
Its always greener on the other side of the western ghats
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u/namesnotrequired Jul 09 '16
Happy to see my state finally coming up..back here after a break and enjoying the monsoon.
mallu bros varu oraazhchathekku randia keezhadakkam.
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u/dopamine86 Jul 08 '16
Once I wanted to have porotta and beef curry but they told me only onam sadya was available, so I went to watch a mohanlal movie but got tickets for a mamooty one. As I was watching mom called to tell me there's a hartal the next day so I got home only to find out that my uncle from the gulf had arrived. I hated him because he had only given me dwendy rupees for vishukani. I realised I was hungry and went to the kitchen to find puttu and meen curry. I ate and went out to see the kathakali but instead got beaten up by a kalaripayattu guy. My head hurt as if someone was playing singari melam inside. I took some kashayam, got an Ayurvedic massage and went to sleep.
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u/DesiInVides Jul 08 '16
State Bird of Kerala is the Great Indian Hornbill.
A large bird measuring up to 50in in length and 60in in wingspan
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u/despod Jul 08 '16
It makes a very audible swoosh sound when it flies.. Quite breathtaking, actually..
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u/coolirisme Jul 11 '16
State bird of Arunachal Pradesh is also the same :)
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u/DesiInVides Jul 11 '16
Yup.
Although if I could pick state bird of Arunachal, i would've chosen the Rufous-necked hornbill.
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u/ThatFag Jul 12 '16
Hey guys, sugamano?
I haven't seen much of Kerala. Most of my visits to Kerala are limited to meeting relatives and stuff. So it's essentially going to the same 20 houses each time.
But we've taken a trip or two to some of the more scenic places in Kerala and my God, it is breathtaking. There's this place called Kovalam. It's near the coast and holy shit, it is so beautiful. We were fortunate enough to get a room like 100 metres away from the beach. Still one of the most gorgeous places I've been to. The vibe and the atmosphere there... so serene. Oh man, I remember falling asleep to the sound of the waves crashing on the beach. Ahhh, nostalgia.
Thekkady and Munnar are among the other places I visited on the same trip. Super fun places and top eye-candy material. All the childhood memories from that trip are coming back to me. Oh, Kerala. Truly God's own.
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u/aqqr2 Jul 08 '16 edited Jul 08 '16
96% literacy rate is very impressive. I cannot understand their love for Mohanlal though.
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u/frightenedinmate_2 Jul 08 '16
I cannot understand their love for Mohanlal though.
I cannot emphasize how fantastic an actor Mohanlal is. Especially his work from 1985-1995. Check out the films the others have mentioned
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Jul 08 '16
He is one of the finest actors I have watched, and this is not restricting it to Mollywood or whatever. That man is an acting powerhouse!
Watch him play and OWN MGR in Irruvar and you will know how good an actor he is.
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u/pathrov Jul 08 '16
Something I have noticed. Mani Ratnam has a talent bring out the best in every actor/actress. If you notice the career best of most stars, it is most likely from a Mani Ratnam movie (Rajni, Kamal, Mohanlal, even that child in Anjali, lot of actresses and the list goes on).
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u/ribiy Jul 11 '16
The names you mention are legends; Rajni, Kamal, Mohanlal
But Mani Ratnam even made Aishwarya act!
Abhishek Bachchan's best too are with him (Guru and Yuva).
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u/aqqr2 Jul 08 '16
I had only seen Company and one other (newer) Malayalam movie of his, hence the comment.
Also,
something I wanted to ask is : Is Mammootty a better actor? I've never seen a movie of his, but his name keeps coming up with Mohanlal's.
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u/rockus Jul 08 '16
Is Mammootty a better actor? I've never seen a movie of his, but his name keeps coming up with Mohanlal's.
IMO, Mohanlal is a better actor and a range of roles that are unparalleled. He would be playing a comedic dude next door in a film follow it up with an intense serious drama and then hop on to a larger than life hero train. He is exceptional at giving some deft and subtle touches to the characters that are amazing.
Mammootty pre-2005 was not good in comedic roles barring one or two performances. But he really shines through when there is a lot of sentiments at play and histrionics to show. He can be subtle when the situation demands, but his memorable performances are when he is let lose to emote.
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u/Gulikan Jul 08 '16
Matter of choice really. I am more of a Mohanlal fan. Part of it is growing up with him and in a family and extended family that adored him. But yeah, I can vouch for his acting. He almost had no bad movies starting from mid 80s to mid 90s. I am not sure how well they will translate to another culture because many of the much-loved movies appeal to the Malayali middle class.
Mammootty is no slouch either. 3 national awards for best actor and deserving of them as well.
But I am biased and for me it is Mohanlal, he is so much more natural, more physical, better at comedy. Mammootty has 2 left legs but some say better suited for certain roles. But like someone said, keep away from their newer films except for some highlights like Thanmathra and Drishyam for Mohanlal and Kazhcha for Mammootty.
But the movie I will surely recommend is Sandesham, does not have either of them but arguably and almost definitely the best political satire movie. I have always wondered what a non-Malayali will think of it.
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Jul 08 '16
Mohan Lal is one of the finest actors in Indian cinema. Only if people didn't go by one's looks...
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u/aqqr2 Jul 08 '16
Well, I've only seen one Malayalam film of his : Mr. Fraud, and... I was sort of disappointed. I had loved him in Company so I had very high expectations I guess.
Also, something I wanted to ask is : Is Mammootty a better actor? I've never seen a movie of his, but his name keeps coming up with Mohanlal's.
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Jul 08 '16
Kindly refrain from watching his movies from the last 10 years, just to be on the safe side. A few of them are absolutely crappy, and most of them are not upto the mark. Mr Fraud falls among the former.
The same goes for Mammootty as well. Sad that during his 30s he regularly portrayed mature and aged characters in really good movies and now in his 60s he's desperately trying to pass off as a young guy in shitty movies.
During their prime, both the Ms could give any other actor in the country a run for their money. The current gen actors in Malayalam industry are good, but they nowhere compare to these guys in terms of talent.
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u/pathrov Jul 08 '16
Mr. Fraud is boring. Dont let that discourage you. There are tons of fantastic films out there.
And your question is sort of the chicken and egg problem for Malayalees. We honestly can't decided. Mohanlal is a natural actor while Mammootty's style is methodic. One really can't imagine how the performances will be if their best roles are swapped.
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u/saanisalive Jul 08 '16
Mr. Fraud? Seriously? Of all his movies, you could only watch that. Even mallus hate him for doing such movies. You could check out these movies:
Kireedam (Drama), Thanmatra (Drama), Kalapani (Drama, Thriller, Based on the Indian freedom struggle), Vanaprastham (Drama), Drishyam (Thriller, remade into Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu), Thoovanathumbikal (Romance, Drama, cult classic). These are from the top of my mind.
Both Mammootty and Mohanlal are different kinds of actors. Mammootty does mainly does strong character based movies, like an angry policeman, a collector etc. Mohanlal is more versatile in that sense. In his earlier days, you could expect him to dance around with actresses, play comedy roles etc. But now both of them are doing similar kind of roles. Like a Don, a family man etc.
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u/ZaphodBeeblebrox Jul 08 '16
Mr. Fraud is a shitty movie. For all my admiration for Mohanlal, he sure has acted in more than his fair share of absolute crap movies. I think this is where Mammootty outshines him, rare to see him in a bad role.
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u/krisbykreme Jul 09 '16
I don't watch all movies but Mohanlal is one exquisite actor. The older movies be it drama, thrillers or comedy ; his acting is on another level. I am more a Mamooty fan
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Jul 08 '16
You gotta watch his old movies, ie before 2000. Almost all of them are super good and his acting performances are extra ordinary in most of them.
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u/geek_lord Jul 08 '16 edited Jul 09 '16
I think Kochi has one of the better looking skylines in India after Mumbai.
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Jul 08 '16 edited Jul 08 '16
The Chera dynasty that lasted from the 4th century BCE (or some sources say 3rd) till 1,100 AD pulled of some GoT level machinations to stay in power against their much larger, powerful neighbours from the North, South, East and West.
From 300 BCE to about 200 AD, the Cheras (Kerala) were a global economic powerhouse, but as Western Rome started to decline, their imports started to decline, thereby directly impacting the Chera merchants, and thus the Chera treasury. By 300 AD, the Chera kingdom was faced with an unending series of invasions, Chalukyas, Pallavas, Pandyas...all of them took a shot at the rich, but militarily weak Cheras.
The Cheras then had to depend on alliances and treaties to just survive - they aligned first with the Cholas and Sinhalas against the rampaging Pandyas, then they switched allegiances, and fought with the Pandyas and Sinhalas against the Cholas.
Raja Raja I Chola ended Chera sovereignty, his son Rajendra Chola utterly crushed a rebellion, and the Cheras went to the mattress' for a period of a 100 odd years when they saw a brief period of resurgence under the Malyalaee Chera Dynasty (till now the Chera dynasty was pretty much all Tamil)
The Malyalee Chera dynasty saw an opening when Malik Kafur messed up the Pandyan Empire (the Epic siege of Madurai that ran for more than a month is another tale altogether) and took the shot. What a shot it was. Under Varma Kulasekaran, the Cheras marched on their erstwhile masters, the now weakened Pandya Empire, took them out, captured Madurai and then marched on and took over pretty much all of TN and parts of Karnataka and AP also.
He then died aaaaand massive civil war all over the South.
His successors managed to restore some form of order, but only ruled a rump state that was for a short period, feudtatory to the Madurai Sultanate, till the Vijayanagra Empire in its expansion finally ended the line.
Interestingly, the Malayalee Chera dynasty followed the Matrilineal method of choosing successors.
Fun fact - One of the if not THE largest Tamil Movie star ever, and the extremely powerful politician, MGR is not a Tamil, but a Malayalee.
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Jul 08 '16
Could you kindly elaborate regarding matrilineal inheritance among Kerala Royals? Did they adapt it from the Nairs or was it vice-versa?
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u/chikna_chetan Jul 12 '16
Mallus are damn good with their Music is what I have noticed. My favorite Indian bands are all from Kerala, which include: Avial, Motherjane, Agam and Thakara. Special mention for Baiju Dharmajan, The Indian Guitar God.
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u/artashii Jul 12 '16
South India and especially Kerala has made easily the most important contributions to human understanding of mathematics of all of Asia. The orderly people and harmonious culture is why I think Kerala has HDI on the order of Eastern Europe today.
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Jul 08 '16
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Jul 08 '16
Oh you are banned? Nannayi bro. I was just thinking about it a while ago.
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u/netizen_green Jul 11 '16
Not bad-ish racist? Did you forget how a migrant worker was tied to a tree and beat to death last month!?
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u/fekunet Jul 12 '16
Yes, there is a cable landing station in Kochi, where SMW-3 lands. The cable is not used much nowadays, because of limited capacities available. Yet, it is sometimes used as a backup for SMW-4 during cable cuts, although much better options exist now.
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Jul 08 '16
Reply here about your favourite malayalam movies
Mine : Sandhesham
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u/pathrov Jul 08 '16
Its difficult for me. But I will break it down by genres.
Satire: Sandesham (obviously)
Thriller: Season (It stands par with World Classics, IMO)
Romance: Premam (Fresh at every scene, genuine comedy, realist and beautiful)
Mystery: The Truth (Lesser known but the plot and making is awesome)
Comedy : Kilukkam (difficult choice really, but cannot condone Jagathy's performance)
Drama : Moonnam Pakkam (Thilakan never seizes to amaze me. Excellent story line. Ilayaraja's bgm is haunting. World class cinematography and Padmarajan's poetic execution).
Action: Sphadikam (Mohanlal's awe-inspiring character, classy and the best one-liners that I have ever heard)
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u/meta-phorest Jul 08 '16 edited Jul 08 '16
Recent : Drishyam & Arthanaari. (The latter deals with the issues faced by transgenders/the hijra community.)
Old : Mannichitratazhyam(?), Kilukkam & Ramjirao Speaking.
Sorry, poor Malayalam, can't type Manglish very well. :(
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u/ZaphodBeeblebrox Jul 08 '16
Obviously hard to choose one. I for one am glad with the turn Malayalam movies have made in the last 6-7 years. Best recent movie I saw: Pathe Maari
Fav all time: namukku parkkan munthiri thoppukal
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u/rgeek Jul 08 '16 edited Jul 08 '16
What book would you recommend if one wanted to learn abt the history of Kerala? Or any of the other 4 southern states?
Edit : I already have K.A. Nilakantha Sastry's "The Illustrated History of South India : From Prehistoric Times to the fall of Vijayanagar"
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u/puppuli Jul 08 '16
I believe you can start with A. Sreedhara Menon's A survey of Kerala history.
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u/ZaphodBeeblebrox Jul 08 '16
Completely fictional, but The God of Small Things is set in a Kerala village and gives a pretty good portrayal of everyday life.
Despite all Arundhati Roy's faults, she is one heck of writer.
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u/OneFixer65 Jul 09 '16
What is the relation like between Muslims, Hindus and Christians in Kerala ?
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Jul 09 '16
Speaking from my experience, there is a feeling of "groupiness" but also immense cordiality between the people belonging to different religions in everyday life (school, work, etc.). We are after all Malayalis who just happen to follow different religions. But I also fear that the polarizing rhetoric of Hindutva and radical Islam coming from outside Kerala is beginning to have an increasingly corrosive effect on Kerala.
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u/vshnprsd Jul 09 '16
Trivandum, the capital of kerala is the only place where a church a mosque and a temple are right next to each other... There have been no communal issues or any problems whatsoever ever in the area..
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u/orthancdweller Jul 09 '16
Malayali Christians tend to have the weirdest names. Tini Tom, Fabin, Jibu, Joymon, Blesson, Tincy - just some of the choicest ones I can remember now.
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u/VaikomViking Jul 12 '16
Russian names are also common, probably due to left leaning parents. I had school mates with names of Lenin, Pushkin etc
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Jul 08 '16
I once went to wayanad and there in shops I found pineapple sliced and dipped in probably water, honey and chilly. Can someone share formal recipe and what is it called?
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u/bttrswt68 Jul 09 '16
http://www.natgeotraveller.in/seafood-snacks-beside-the-backwaters-of-thalassery-kerala/ Read this article and remembered the pictures of the pineapple in glass jars.
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u/ninjanamaka Jul 08 '16
No idea what it is called. They sell pineapples, carrots, cucumber, mangoes etc pickled.
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u/ZaphodBeeblebrox Jul 08 '16 edited Jul 08 '16
Do you think Kochi will go the way of other bigger Indian metros? Its already freaking congested on the roads? Hopes for the new Metro Rail?
Also, what are your thoughts on Air Kerala?
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u/pathrov Jul 08 '16
Cannot answer your first question since I have been abroad for the past few years.
Air Kerala. Good concept but I doubt if it will ever happen.
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u/VaikomViking Jul 12 '16
Kochi - Aluva route has the highest number of inter city connections (bus) in India. The metro will be a game changer for Kochi traffic, especially once it is extended to Tripunithura and IT Park.
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u/sagar_alias_jacky Jul 11 '16
Regarding Metro Rail - From what I can see the metro will be a huge bonus to the city. Metros are useful for daily commutes and common routes. I believe a metro becomes useless if it is bulit in a route where it is not of great daily usage. The route that the current metro plan covers is a very busy route with loads and loads of people travelling daily for work. This being middleclass and lower midle class and whatever lower you consier, I hope you got the gist. So, I believe it will be of great use.
Kochi is not yet screwed up. One thing to be noticed is Kerala is a small country. Kochi is a small city. So, there is not huge ass four lane roads, that is one thing that makes it congested on the roads. If majority of the single line is replaced by double and double by three/four congestion can be reduced to a greater amount, although it is not practical. So the next step would be to bring in better modes of public transport, flyovers etc, which are being done. So ones that is done, we can see how it fairs.
And finally the first question, not really sure what you intent by 'way of other bigger indian metros'
Air Kerala - Not enough knowledge as of now to comment
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u/pathrov Jul 08 '16
Surprised that no one got any questions about the state or the Malayalee life.
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u/ninjanamaka Jul 08 '16
Angane malayaala vaaram arambhichirikkukayaanu suhruthukkale :)