Kerala (Malayalam: കേരളം; Kēraḷaṁ) is a union state located in the southwestern part of India. With an Arabian Sea coastline on the west, it is bordered on the north by Karnataka and by Tamil Nadu on the south and east. Major cities are Thiruvananthapuram(the capital), Kochi, and Kozhikode. The principal spoken language is Malayalam but many other languages are also spoken. 
Kerala is mentioned in the ancient epic Mahabharata(800 BC) at several instances as a tribe, as a region and as a kingdom[citation needed]. The first written mention of Kerala is seen in a 3rd-century-BC rock inscription by emperor Asoka the Great, where it is mentioned as Keralaputra. This region formed part of ancient Tamilakam and was ruled by the Cheras. They had extensive trade relations with the Greeks, Romans and Arabs.
In the 1st century AD Jewish immigrants arrived, and it is believed that St. Thomas the Apostle visited Kerala in the same century.The Chera Kingdom and later the feudal Nair and Namboothiri Brahmin city-states became major powers in the region.Early contact with Europeans gave way to struggles between colonial and native interests. The States Reorganisation Act of 1 November 1956 elevated Kerala to statehood. 
Late-19th-century social reforms by Cochin and Travancore were expanded by post-independence governments. The state is known for achievements such as a literacy rate at 89.9 which is among the highest in India, although still behind developing countries such as China (93%) or Thailand (93.9%). Kerala is one of the five states which receive "serious" malnutrition situation rating from Global Hunger Index, slightly ahead "alarming" ratings received by most states. A survey conducted in 2005 by Transparency International ranked Kerala as the least corrupt state in the country. The state confronts comparatively high suicide, alcoholism, and unemployment ratesA large proportion of the population has moved away and Kerala is uniquely dependent on remittances, mainly from the Gulf countries.
Kerala is mentioned in the ancient epic Mahabharata(800 BC) at several instances as a tribe, as a region and as a kingdom[citation needed]. The first written mention of Kerala is seen in a 3rd-century-BC rock inscription by emperor Asoka the Great, where it is mentioned as Keralaputra. This region formed part of ancient Tamilakam and was ruled by the Cheras. They had extensive trade relations with the Greeks, Romans and Arabs.
In the 1st century AD Jewish immigrants arrived, and it is believed that St. Thomas the Apostle visited Kerala in the same century.The Chera Kingdom and later the feudal Nair and Namboothiri Brahmin city-states became major powers in the region.Early contact with Europeans gave way to struggles between colonial and native interests. The States Reorganisation Act of 1 November 1956 elevated Kerala to statehood. Late-19th-century social reforms by Cochin and Travancore were expanded by post-independence governments. The state is known for achievements such as a literacy rate at 89.9 which is among the highest in India, although still behind developing countries such as China (93%) or Thailand (93.9%). Kerala is one of the five states which receive "serious" malnutrition situation rating from Global Hunger Index, slightly ahead "alarming" ratings received by most states. A survey conducted in 2005 by Transparency International ranked Kerala as the least corrupt state in the country. The state confronts comparatively high suicide, alcoholism, and unemployment ratesA large proportion of the population has moved away and Kerala is uniquely dependent on remittances, mainly from the Gulf countries.
Native traditions of classical performing arts include koodiyattom, a form of Sanskrit dramaor theatre and a UNESCO-designated Human Heritage Art. Kathakali (from katha ("story") and kali ("performance")) is a 500-year-old form of dance-drama that interprets ancient epics; a popularized offshoot of kathakali is Kerala natanam (developed in the 20th century by dancer Guru Gopinath). Meanwhile, koothu is a more light-hearted performance mode, akin to modern stand-up comedy; an ancient art originally confined to temple sanctuaries, it was later popularized by Mani Madhava Chakyar. Other Keralite performing arts include mohiniyaattam ("dance of the enchantress"), which is a type of graceful choreographed dance performed by women and accompanied by musical vocalizations. Thullal, padayani, and theyyam are other important Keralite arts. 
Kerala also has several tribal and folk art forms. For example, Kummattikali is the famous colorful mask-dance of South Malabar, performed during the festival of Onam. The Kannyar Kali dances (also known as Desathukali) are fast moving, militant dances attuned to rhythmic devotional folk songs and asuravadyas. Also important are various performance genres that are Islam- or Christianity-themed. These include oppana, which is widely popular among Keralite Muslims and is native to Malabar. Oppana incorporates group dance accompanied by the beat of rhythmic hand clapping and ishal vocalizations.
However, many of these native art forms largely play to tourists or at youth festivals, and are not as popular among ordinary Keralites. Thus, more contemporary forms — including those heavily based on the use of often risqué and politically incorrect mimicry and parody — have gained considerable mass appeal in recent years. Indeed, contemporary artists often use such modes to mock socioeconomic elites. In recent decades, Malayalam cinema, yet another mode of widely popular artistic expression, have provided a distinct and indigenous Keralite alternative to both Bollywood and Hollywood.
Kerala also has several tribal and folk art forms. For example, Kummattikali is the famous colorful mask-dance of South Malabar, performed during the festival of Onam. The Kannyar Kali dances (also known as Desathukali) are fast moving, militant dances attuned to rhythmic devotional folk songs and asuravadyas. Also important are various performance genres that are Islam- or Christianity-themed. These include oppana, which is widely popular among Keralite Muslims and is native to Malabar. Oppana incorporates group dance accompanied by the beat of rhythmic hand clapping and ishal vocalizations.
However, many of these native art forms largely play to tourists or at youth festivals, and are not as popular among ordinary Keralites. Thus, more contemporary forms — including those heavily based on the use of often risqué and politically incorrect mimicry and parody — have gained considerable mass appeal in recent years. Indeed, contemporary artists often use such modes to mock socioeconomic elites. In recent decades, Malayalam cinema, yet another mode of widely popular artistic expression, have provided a distinct and indigenous Keralite alternative to both Bollywood and Hollywood.
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