• Kerala was a major spice-exporter as early as 3,000 BCE, according to Sumerian Records.
• Kerala and Tamil Nadu once shared a common language and culture, within an area known as Tamilakam. In the 1st century BCE, Tamil-speaking Dravidian Villavars established the Chera Dynasty that ruled northern Kerala [from a capital at Vanchi. Southern Kerala was ruled by the Pandyan Kingdom, with a trading port variously identified by ancient Western sources as “Nelcynda” and “Neacyndi” The Cheras had trading links with China, West Asia, Egypt and the Roman Empire.
• The value of Rome’s annual trade with India as a whole was estimated at no less than 50,000,000 sesterces; contemporary Sangam literature describes Roman ships coming to Muziris in Kerala, laden with gold to exchange for pepper. One of the earliest western traders to use the monsoon winds to reach Kerala may have been Eudoxus of Cyzicus, around 118 or 166 BCE, under the patronage of Ptolemy VIII, king of the Hellenistic Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt. Kerala is identified on the Tabula Peutingeriana, the only known surviving map of the Roman cursus publicus.
• The Chera kings’ dependence on trade meant that merchants from West Asia and Southern Europe established coastal posts and settlements in Kerala The west asian-semitic Jewish, Christian, and Muslim immigrantsestablished Juda Mappila, Nasrani Mappila, and Muslim Mappila communities respectively. The Jews first arrived in Kerala in 573 BC.According to local Syriac Nasrani Christian tradition as well as the works of scholars and Eastern Christian writings Thomas the Apostle visited Muziris in Kerala circa 52 CE to proselytize amongst Kerala’s Jewish settlements. The first mosque, synagogue, and church in India were built in Kerala.
• A later Chera Kingdom was established c. 800-1102, with the help of Arab spice merchants. This is also called the Kulasekhara dynasty, as it was founded by Kulasekhara Varman, a Vaishnavaite saint. Ay kings ruled southern Kerala, but by the 10th century the Ay kingdom declined and became a part of the Chera Kingdom. A Keralite identity, distinct from the Tamils became linguistically separate during this period.[ The Kulasekhara dynasty came to an end by twelfth

Festivals of Kerala
Festivals are true celebrations in God’s Own Country; occasions when grandeur prevails over the characteristic simplicity of the Keralian lifestyle,be it the state festival of Onam or the one at a local place of worship,new attire and sumptuous feasts are a must for the celebrations.

Besides being occasions for merry-making, festivals of Kerala have traditionally been preservers of the art and culture of this land.Whether religious or social, traditional or modern, a festival here is never complete without an art event which would range from the 2000-year-old Kutiyattam to contemporary stage shows.

Cuisine of Kerala
Cuisine is an integral part of any culture.Rice and fish are the staple food of Keralites.They love to include coconut in their every cuisine.Seafood is also very popular among the non-vegetarian people.Some of the famous cuisines of Kerala are like payasam, sambar, rasam, puzhukku, puttucuddla and pulisherry.To satisfy their thirst or to refresh themselves, Keralites people loves to drink coffee,tea and buttermilk.

Lifestyle of Kerala
Kerala is known for its literacy rate -the people here are educated and well-informed.The traditional wear of the men is Kasavu Mundu and for women it is Mundum Neriyatham. Kerala is known for the best health and medicinal facilities that it offers.In fact,Kerala is known to have clinics in every village.The lifestyle of the people is really amazing,as the traditional industrial sector provides jobs to around 1 million people in the state. There are many IT sectors and Techno Parks coming up in Kerala.Its rich & dliverse vegetation as well as its protected geographical location from the rulers of India mainland. Have a great impact on their daily life and nature of the people.