KERALA has its own traditions and culture. Kerala is the most attracted tourist destination with its beaches, hill stations, backwaters, bird and wild life sancturies etc. Kerala is blessed with its variety of flora and fauna. Kerala festivals are attracting many tourists. Kerala is the first 100% literate state in India. The Kerala cinema is always a symbol for quality movies. In literary field also Kerala is blessed with so many legends.
Kerala's Kathakali is a stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion. Kerala's Kalaripayattu is one of the oldest fighting systems in existence. Kalaripayattu includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods.
After India gained its independence in 1947, Travancore and Cochin were merged to form Travancore-Cochin on 1 July 1949. On 1 January 1950 (Republic Day), Travancore-Cochin was recognised as a state. The Madras Presidency was organised to form Madras State several years prior, in 1947. Finally, the Government of India's 1 November 1956 States Reorganisation Act inaugurated the state of Kerala , incorporating Malabar district, Travancore-Cochin (excluding four southern taluks, which were merged with Tamil Nadu), and the taluk of Kasargod, South Kanara. A new legislative assembly was also created, for which elections were first held in 1957. These resulted in a communist-led government through ballot-the world's first of its kind-headed by E.M.S. Namboodiripad. Subsequent social reforms favoured tenants and labourers.