Kerala turns 69 on November 1. Even as the State holds on to the God’s Own Country tag and revels in its moutain ranges, lush green cover, scenic backwaters and rich culture, we cannot ignore our shortcomings. We ask a few famous Malayalis what is that they cherish about Kerala or do not like about the State.
Aju Varghese,
Actor, producer
Aju Varghese
| Photo Credit:
Praveen
What I like about Kerala
The cuisine. It is unparalleled, varied and fabulous. I am also proud about Malayalam language and the treasure of literature we have. And, of course, Malayalam cinema, which is my area of work and I have every reason to celebrate that aspect.
What I do not like
I wish we adhered to the simple principle — give respect, take respect. We tend to overlook that. In many states we have seen the practice of touching elders’ feet. But I have seen many Malayalis making fun of that, especially on social media, and I don’t understand why. It is not something to feel inferior about.
Hibi Eden
Member of Parliament
Hibi Eden, Member of Parliament
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
What I do not like about Kerala
I am worried about how the State is getting divided on the basis of religion and concerned about the hate being spread on the most insignificant issues. Matters that can be resolved easily get escalated and I fear that the State might become a breeding ground for communal violence, especially when I see the extent of vulgarity and bullying happening on social media.
What I like
As much I cherish a lot of things about us — greenery, culture, literacy rate, cuisine, festivals and much more, I feel proud when people from other States call us progressive and look up to us. Globally speaking, our honesty and dedication are always appreciated, especially with reference to our nurses and other professionals working abroad.
Sowmya Vidyadhar
Author
Soumya Vidyadhar
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
What I like about Kerala
Community still means something. People look out for each other here, not past each other. Healthcare is not a privilege. Traditions and culture is about drinking tea and talking about cinema at teashops. Classical to pop music echo through rains. Education is about understanding and critical thinking, not just rote learning.
What I do not like
Excessive social interference and resistance to change. The strong sense of community, which is beautiful, can sometimes cross into nosiness. People often feel entitled to comment on others’ choices. When you think “I know best” it can create a kind of intellectual rigidity. It turns into hesitation to unlearn, to adapt, or to embrace new perspectives that challenge tradition or pride.
Sabari Venu
Freelance creative director and designer (@meancurry)
Sabari Venu
| Photo Credit:
Bharani
What I do not like about Kerala
I have a love-hate relationship with the humidity here. I love what it does to my hair, but hate what it does to my allergies. Can you believe my nose gave me less trouble during my time in Delhi, a city infamous for its bad AQI? On a more serious note, I feel like we still have a long way to go in terms of gender equality and representation. There needs to be a strong cultural shift driven by younger generations to challenge the deep-seated patriarchy that remains in parts of our society. We are leaps and bounds ahead in many ways, but we should not settle for that.
What I like about Malayalis
Our passion for football, politics, critical discourse, food, art… I love how passionate we are as a people. I think that is where our strong sense of camaraderie and community really comes from and I will forever be in awe of that.
Sreelakshmy Govardhanan
Kuchipudi dancer
Sreelakshmy Govardhanan
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
What I like about Kerala
This is where I belong. It could be the connection with the language. I think and feel most deeply in Malayalam. Or, perhaps, it is the art, music, nuanced culture that breath through every ritual and silence. Each journey through the state reveals something new, which renews me in unexpected ways.
What I do not like
We are sharp in thinking, quick to respond, and strong-headed in our opinions. Yet, somewhere along the way, we seem to have lost a bit of our quiet persistence to build, act, and create. We take pride in being progressive and aware, but we sometimes remain within the familiar walls of comfort and ideology. Ours is a society that celebrates intellect and debate, but at times hesitates to transform ideas into sustained action. We have, in many ways, become a culture that consumes more than it creates. As much as I enjoy our culture of conversation and awareness, I often wish it was matched by a stronger culture of doing.
I hope our public spaces grow safer and more nurturing for everyone. I also wish we were less celebratory about alcohol consumption. It is not about the patterns of drinking but the pride and competitiveness that sometimes surround it, especially during festivals and gatherings.
Dr Ananthu S
CEO, founder, Xylem Learning
Dr Ananthu S, founder and CEO, Xylem Learning
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
What I do not like about Kerala?
Let me stay away from saying something controversial! What I don’t like about Kerala is that it is hard to control your diet when you live here because it is foodies’ paradise.
What I like about Malayalis
Since we have a high literacy rate we have strong opinions about what is right and wrong. As much as we wholeheartedly accept anything that is good we do not hesitate to reject the bad things. This quality comes from being a literate state.
Published – October 30, 2025 04:31 pm IST
