Living
God’s Own Country Turns 61!
Here are 61 fun and interesting facts on Kerala
Text Credits : Alisha Moosa
1.As the myth goes, it was Parasurama behind the origin of our God’s very own country – Kerala .
2.He apparently threw his battle axe into the sea and thus the land (that is: Kerala) arose from the sea. (Cue the dramatic music)
3.Kerala is derived from the word ‘Kera’ meaning coconut (stop giggling!) Hence Kerala translates to be ‘Land of Coconuts’ – What a surprise!
4.People in Kerala are known as Malayalis , which has been shortened to Mallus (only we get to call each other that)
5.We don’t speak ‘Malayalee’ we speak Malayalam.
6.Did you know the Hornbill is the state bird of Kerala? (I thought it was the CROW)
Image source
7.The Elephant is the state animal as this animal has been an integral part of Kerala’s culture since ancient.
8.The state fish – Karimeen – is one of the most eaten fishes in the land.
9.Jackfruit is apparently the state fruit of Kerala. Oh boy! A jack fruit a day will surely not keep a doctor away (especially if one falls on your head)
10.Cassia Fistula is the state flower also known as the Indian laburnum, also known as rain tree or golden tree . It simple terms ‘ Kanikonna ‘.
11.Kerala is a land of Coconut trees ergo the state tree is… (no points for guessing this one)
12.The first state in india to hit the highest rate in literacy. [ proud moment ]
13.Us Malayalis are expected to have the highest life expectancy rate.
14.Who run the world ,Girls. Kerala is the highest in the female to male ratio.
15.Ayurveda is the cure to all diseases is Kerala. It is still followed as the medical treatment of choice.
16.Kerala is considered to be the cleanest state in India .
17.Every village is Kerala has a hospital and banking facility .
18.Kerala is the most baby friendly state as the infant mortality rates are the least.
19.And the ‘ Spice Coast of India ‘ awards goes to Kerala
20.When it comes to a party, Kerala is the best state to surely host it. as you know we are state with highest consumption of booze (twice the national average)
21.We also have got our first female lady appointed in a Bevco in Kerala (last week)
22.We have newspapers published in 9 languages across the state
23.The world’s first teak plantation was created in Kerala by the British.
24.Kerala is declared as one of the 10 paradises of the world by National Geographic
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25.The richest temple in the world is situated in Trivandrum , Kerala. The Paddmanabhaswamy temple.
26.The Kerala Tourism website is the number one tourism website in India (hoot hoot)
27.It is said we are one amongst those cities who celebrate the highest number of festivals.
28.Kochi Muzris Biennele is India first ever International art exhibition to be held in Kochi, Kerala (and also one of the largest exhibitions of contemporary art in this part of the world)
29.The only drive- in – beach is India is located in Kannur, Kerala .
30.India is the 4th largest rubber producing in the country, Kerala has to major hand in it by contributing more than 91%
31.The first mosque in India was built in Kerala , The Cheraman Juma Masjid ,Thrissur.
32.Kerala had the first ever church in india built in Thrissur
33.The first ever technology park in India was built in the capital of Kerala
34.A.R Rahmans first film score is in Malayalam
35.“My dear Kutichathan” produced in Kerala, was the first 3D film EVER made
36.Moustache among malayali men is an all time in vogue in Kerala
Image source
37.One of the most googled tourist spots in India
38.Kochi, Kerala is the only two tier city to have a metro rail
Image source
39.A State that knows how to enjoy licking their hands after a meal
40.Miss India 2008 was a malayali – Parvathy Omanakuttan
41.One of the most celebrated hairstylist Ambika Pillai is a Malayalli
42.Jacqueline Fernandes favourite makeup artist is a malayali, Shaan
43.Rasool Pookuty the only malayali to win an Oscar
44.Jimmiki Kammal is the first malayalam song to get over 40 million views on youtube
45.Some of the most popular Stand up comedians in India today are Malayalis – Kenny Sebastian, Abhish Mathew and Naveen Richards
46.Onam is the most popular festival in the state
47.We celebrate the visit of Mahabali from the netherworld (? Underworld? Purgatory? – someone please tell us what Paathalam is. And no, we don’t mean that place in Eloor)
48.A woman adorned with an ethnic Kerala saree is referred as a Malayalee Manga
49.Pulimurgan is Kerala’s first Malayali movie to cross Rs.100crores collection
50.Beef and Parotta unites every politician in the state to stand as one
51.Never before has the world seen a mass migration of people from on geographical location to another location – We’re referring to the Malayali’s exodus to the Gulf (also known as Gelf)
52.The state is known for some of the best ‘troll groups ‘ on social media.
53.Rice is the staple food of all Malayalis – but also kappa and meen curry – and puttu kadala.
54.Most households will have a subscription for the Magazine ‘Vanitha’ .
55.Kerala is a mixture of different faiths and cultures – we are home to 28 different ethnic communities.
56.Malayalis are open to Hartals for everything and anything
57.Toddy is the regional alcoholic drink if Kerala – apart from Rum.
58.If you ever visit kerala, Mundu is a must have item clothing in your suitcase while returning
59.Kerala is the home of every Varghese, Mathew, Francis and Chacko that you probably know.
60.FWD Life is Kochi,Kerala’s first english luxury premium magazine, subscribe – and we’ll send you a free pazhampozhi – banana fry. (#just)
Image source
61.Kerala celebrates its 61st birthday today
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KERALA
Art
Navratri 2024: Celebrating the Nine Colours and Their Significance
Navratri, the festival that spans nine nights, is one of the most auspicious and widely celebrated festivals in India. Dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga in her nine forms, each day of Navratri holds special significance, marked by a distinct color that carries deep spiritual and cultural meaning. As we prepare for Navratri 2024, let’s explore the nine colors associated with each day, their significance, and how they inspire devotion, positivity, and harmony.
Day 1: Yellow
On Thursday, embrace the uplifting energy of yellow as you celebrate Navratri with optimism and joy. This warm and cheerful color symbolizes happiness and radiates positivity, keeping you in high spirits throughout the day.
Day 2: Green
On Friday, wear green, a color that represents nature, growth, and harmony. It evokes a sense of peace and serenity, while also symbolizing new beginnings. Let the vibrant energy of green invite tranquility and the blessings of the Goddess into your life.
Day 3: Grey
Saturday calls for the subtle sophistication of grey. This balanced color keeps you grounded and calm, symbolizing composure and understated elegance. It’s perfect for those who want to participate in Navratri with grace while making a refined style statement.
Day 4: Orange
On Sunday, adorn yourself in the vibrant hue of orange. This color embodies warmth, exuberance, and positivity. Wearing orange during Navratri invokes an upbeat energy, bringing vitality and a lively spirit to your celebrations.
Day 5: White
Start your Monday with the purity and serenity of white. Associated with innocence and spiritual clarity, this color invites inner peace and helps you connect with the divine blessings of the Goddess, offering a sense of security and calm.
Day 6: Red
On Tuesday, red takes center stage, symbolizing passion, love, and strength. As one of the most auspicious colors, red is often offered to the Goddess in the form of a Chunri. Wearing red fills you with energy, vigor, and the vibrant spirit of Navratri.
Day 7: Royal Blue
Wednesday’s color is royal blue, representing elegance, richness, and tranquility. This deep, vivid shade of blue exudes confidence and sophistication, making it an ideal choice for those who want to celebrate Navratri with style and grace.
Day 8: Pink
On Thursday, don the charming hue of pink, a symbol of universal love, affection, and harmony. Pink is a color that adds a soft touch of warmth and approachability, making it perfect for creating a loving and joyful atmosphere during the festivities.
Day 9: Purple
On the final day of Navratri, purple takes the spotlight. Associated with luxury, nobility, and grandeur, purple invites opulence into your life. Wearing this regal color while worshipping Navdurga bestows blessings of prosperity and richness, making it the perfect way to end your Navratri celebrations.
Luxury
Cartier’s New High Jewellery Collection is a Love For The Wild
In 2021, the American Museum of Natural History in New York presented Beautiful Creatures, an exhibition showcasing some of the most eccentric jewellery designs of the past century. One standout piece was the iconic crocodile necklace of Mexican actress María Félix, a loyal Cartier patron. Félix, renowned for her bold sense of style, famously strolled into Cartier’s Paris store in 1975 with her pet crocodile, requesting a necklace in its likeness. Cartier delivered, crafting two intertwined crocodiles encrusted with over a thousand emeralds and yellow diamonds. For Félix, crocodiles symbolized freedom, an embodiment of the spirit she associated with Mexico’s Golden Age of cinema.
Fast forward to today, and Félix’s wildest dreams seem to have come to life at Cartier’s latest high jewellery collection, Nature Sauvage, previewed at the historic Kursalon Hübner gallery in Vienna. Among the star pieces is the Koaga necklace, a masterful creation where a zebra clasps an emerald-cut diamond and a 6.25-carat pear-shaped rubellite in its mouth. The zebra’s form is exquisitely rendered in alternating onyx stripes and pavé diamonds, making the creature feel almost lifelike.
The relationship between animals and jewellery has deep mythological roots, often glorified through rituals and symbolism. In ancient Egypt, scarab beetles were worn as earrings to signify respect for life’s cyclical nature. Meanwhile, in Hellenistic Greece, gods and goddesses took on the forms of winged creatures in adornment. So, what is it about animal-themed jewellery that continues to captivate us? According to Amanda Triossi, a jewellery historian based in Rome, the allure lies in our primal instincts: “Wearing wild animals like panthers or tigers gives one the sense of having conquered them. It’s empowering, as if you inherit the animal’s strength and attributes.”
Cartier captures this essence beautifully in its Amphista necklace. Featuring two intertwined snakes with diamond scales set with emeralds, their heads adorned with kite-shaped diamonds, the necklace echoes ancient Chinese philosophy’s yin-yang balance. The pièce de résistance? Nine octagonal Colombian emeralds, weighing a total of 14.72 carats.
Triossi also notes that many historical heroes are often depicted draped in the skins of animals they’ve vanquished, a symbol of triumph. Today, jewellery transforms that symbol into something precious and eternal—animal skins reimagined in imperishable materials.
Later that evening, at a celebration held at Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest in Austria, the enchantment of Cartier’s collection was heightened. The museum’s octagonal domes featured paintings of animals dancing with angels, setting the stage for a magical night. Guests were greeted by masterpieces such as Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait and Caravaggio’s Madonna of the Rosary, alongside Cartier page boys in their signature red hats. The evening’s soundtrack, a seamless blend of Bach and Kygo, was curated by DJ Gillian Sagansky, lending a modern twist to the classical ambiance.
The following day brought another cultural adventure—a visit to Otto Wagner’s Villa, a stunning summer palace designed by the famed architect. The paintings adorning the villa’s walls depicted animals in various forms—some caught in purgatory, others wandering the biblical bardo, with alligators restlessly emerging from swampy landscapes.
Luxury
Indian Craftsmanship Meets Italian Savoir Faire : Rahul Mishra x Tod’s
Quiet luxury was expected to dominate for a while, with many predicting that the return of bold, extravagant fashion would take its time. However, maximalism seems to be making a swift comeback, especially in the realm of designer collaborations. Hot on the heels of the vibrant, print-heavy H&M x Anamika Khanna collection, another limited-edition line has arrived, celebrating opulent luxury: Rahul Mishra x Tod’s.
As part of Tod’s T-Factory project, which features exclusive collaborations with creative innovators, this marks Indian couturier Rahul Mishra’s debut in the international accessories space.
Mishra is a true ambassador of Indian design. Along with his wife Divya Mishra, he leads his eponymous label, which has brought the essence of India to the global stage in remarkable ways. A regular at Paris Fashion Week and the first Indian designer to showcase at Paris Haute Couture Week, his creations have adorned celebrities like Zendaya and Mark Zuckerberg, and have graced magazine covers in South Korea, China, and Europe. With such a path-defining legacy, it’s no surprise that Mishra and his visionary label were Tod’s natural choice for their first-ever Indian collaboration.
Mishra describes this collaboration as a beautiful fusion of “Italian craftsmanship serving as the canvas for Indian vision.” Tod’s iconic Gommino loafers and mules, along with the Di Bag and T Timeless shoulder bag, have been reimagined with intricate resham embroidery, crystals, and sequins—all meticulously hand-embroidered at Mishra’s atelier in Noida. “It was a technically challenging process that took time to perfect. I can confidently say these are some of the finest bags and shoes you’ll ever witness, in terms of craftsmanship and longevity. Such pieces are forever,” Mishra proudly shares.
Crafted entirely between India and Italy, the limited-edition pieces from this collection are a true love letter to the artisanal heritage of both nations. “There’s a beauty in the teamwork here,” Mishra explains. “We received raw materials from Italy and worked on integrating our embroideries seamlessly into their leather. The pieces were then sent back to Tod’s, where they transformed them into stunning, three-dimensional products. In that sense, it’s been a genuine collaboration between Italy and India.”
Mishra firmly believes that the future of global design will be shaped by a global Indian aesthetic. “Just as French, Italian, British, and Japanese designs are now seen as universal,” he explains. This collaboration marks a significant step in advancing that narrative. “When you push the boundaries of ‘handmade in India’ to be respected at the pinnacle of luxury, everything else will naturally follow,” he emphasizes.
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