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A Land That Refused Uniformity

"Keralam", my homeland, is a breeze that calms my mind and soul.
She keeps whispering,
"Stop, relax and take a deep breath. 
You are living your life, it is not a race you must win.
Come sit with me and take a look at the horizon". 

Malayalis are a proud lot. You may belong to different ethnicity, race, religion or even another planet but if you speak Malayalam from your heart then you are a Malayali, period. 

And what does speaking Malayalam from the heart mean? Simply this: you understand the puns, the sarcasm, and the art of self-deprecating humour.

One of the strengths of Kerala is that we never sought uniformity, nor did we ever consider it necessary throughout our long history. As a costal place, we learnt to listen and evolved through syncretism. We have met and mingled with different cultures, through traders, travellers and settlers, through out our history. Our language and cultural values evolved  by coming in touch with their languages and cultures, the stories and wisdom they brought along with them. Some even carved a lasting place for themselves within our small state. We are proud of this heritage. It became rich and prosperous by allowing many identities to breathe together.

That is why its unsettling to see the attempt to flatten this diversity, this living heritage into something monotonous. Its deeply hurtful and unsettling when some try to force a narrow narrative through which they are dreaming of unifying the nation. When you weave a fabric of single size to fit for all,  it only end up suffocating and hurting those forced to wear it.

Nowadays we can see some trying to infuse this narrative of religion, a monotonous one, and then try to consolidate Hindus, which falters in South India because of the difference in culture and history. One template for entire nation with such complexities, is not a vision but lack of insight. Kerala thrives on such complexity. There is no single way of being authentic in a nation like ours. The Churches, Temples, Masjids in Kerala, they all follow the cultural tone of this place. 

When diversity is treated as a problem to be corrected, then we should be worried.  Kerala's complex fabric resisted it for a long time. Still it is not immune to such invasiveness, because such repetitions seep into our mind, corrupting it. They will keep pushing such monotonous narratives until the alternative feels invisible.  

Children should learn a sport or an art form irrespective of its origin, should celebrate festivals irrespective of the religion, should learn things irrespective of their caste or race. Kerala has always resisted and perhaps that resistance - quiet, thoughtful and deeply rooted is its greatest tradition.

pluralism



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