The district of Palakkad is known for its cultural tradition. The father of Malayalam literature, Thunchathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, had spent his last days here in Chittur in the remembrance of this; there is Thunchathu Acharya Vidhalaya here. A popular Malayalam poet, Kunjan Nambiar and the founder of Thullal, an authentic art form of Kerala, both were from Killikurissimangalam (Lakkidi), a small village in Palakkad district. Several old temples are home to beautiful sculptures and paintings.
Notable contributions were made by a number of popular artists of the district, maintaining and inspiring classical dance forms in Kerala. Such names include Chakkiar Koothu for Thullal, Kathakali and Mohiniattom Vazhenkada Kunju Nair for Kathakali and Mani Madhava Chakiar for Koothu. A prime Kathakali school, Kalluvazhichitta, founded by late Sri Vazhenkada Kunju Nair, finds its roots in the district of Palakkad.
Palakkad has been blessed with a rich musical tradition. Sri Palakkad Mani Iyer, the matchless maestro of Mridangam and Late Sri Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, an advocate of Carnatic music were born here. Another popular personality, Sri C. Sankaran Nair was born in Mankara, a village in this district.
The district is home to several eminent personalities such as late K.P. Kesava Menon, a freedom fighter, journalist and celebrated author and the winner of Lenin Prize K.P.S Menon, an author and a diplomat.
After harvesting, in the months of March and April, a festival called Vela is celebrated in a number of villages that includes a parade, which is its highlight. This parade includes of decorated elephants, traditional orchestra with instruments like Pandimelam, Panchavadyam and Thayambaka and fireworks. This popular festival is also celebrated in neighboring districts and the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu. Two of the other famed festivals here are Nemmara Vellangi Vela and Chinakkathur Pooram.
Kalpathy Ratholsavam, a festival of the Tamil Brahmins is also important, when the deities of the temples are taken out on a procession in huge chariots. It is said that during these days, the Gods move out of their temples to visit his devotees. Along with these, some of the other well-known festivals celebrated in Palakkad include Pongal, Vadakkanthara and Saraswathy Pooja.
