One of four southern
Indian states whose people speak a Dravidian language, Malayalam in this
instance.
Kerala is located on a short sliver of land between the
Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, in what was formerly known as the Malabar
coast.
Kerala is one of the "linguistic" states
established after India's independence in 1947 to bring people who spoke the
same language and had a same culture under one government.
It was formed from the princely republics of Travancore and
Cochin, as well as the Malayalam-speaking portions of the former Madras state.
Kerala has traditionally been a significant commercial hub.
For thousands of years, traders from the Middle East have
come to buy its spices and sandalwood.
It is the only Indian state with 100% adult literacy and has
had India's first elected communist administration in modern times.
The temple of Aiyappa in Shabari Malai is Kerala's most
renowned religious place.
The yearly trip to the place is customarily limited to men
and women above the age of childbearing.
See Christine Nivin et al., India. 8th ed., Lonely Planet, 1998, for general information about Kerala and other Indian states.
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