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The Kerala Portal
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India is a large multicultural country in South Asia, with a population of over one billion. The Indian economy is the fourth largest in the world in terms of purchasing power parity and is the world's second-fastest growing economy. India is also the second most populous country in the world, and the world's largest democracy. India has grown significantly, in terms of both population and strategic importance, in the last 20 years. It has also emerged as an important regional power, with one of the world's largest militaries and a declared nuclear weapons capability. Strategically located in Asia, constituting most of the Indian subcontinent, India straddles many busy trade routes. It shares its borders with Pakistan, the People's Republic of China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan. Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Indonesia are the nearby island nations in the Indian Ocean. Home to some of the most ancient civilizations in the world, India was formally ruled by the British for almost 90 years before gaining independence in 1947.( more...)
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Kathakali is a form of Indian dance-drama. It originated in the Indian state of Kerala during the 17th century. The Raja of Kottarakara is the earliest exponent of this art. It is considered to be one of the oldest dance forms in India. It is a spectacular combination of drama, dance, music and ritual. Characters with vividly painted faces and elaborate costumes re-enact stories from the Hindu epics, Mahabharatha and Ramayana. Kathakali is traditionally performed in the Hindu temple, but nowadays may also be seen in theatre performances. Kathakali is featured in the award-winning Indo-French-German produced film Vaanaprastham.
Photo credit: Pratheepps
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Did you know... |
- ...that Transparency International ranked Kerala as the least corrupt state in the country in 2005?
- ...that according to tradition, it is believed that Thomas , the apostle of Jesus Christ established the Church in India in 52 AD?
- ...that Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama was buried in St. Francis Church in India?
- ...that Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary in Kerala, India, receives migratory birds from far away Siberia?
- ...that the Mattancherry Palace, popular as Dutch Palace, in Kochi, India, was built by the Portuguese and renovated by the Dutch?
- ...there is a belief that a dip in the waters of Papanasam Beach (pictured), one of the beaches in Kerala, washes away sins?
- ...that the hull of the kettuvallams, Kerala houseboats, (pictured) are built of wooden boards tied together by coir rope?
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