Trivandrum, the capital of Travancore rulers in 1745, has always been the hub of cultural activities. The cultural scene of Thiruvananthapuram has always been bustling with centers like the Public Library, the Trivandrum Museum and the Swati Thirunal College of Music. The cultural background of Thiruvananthapuram finds its roots in the times of the rule of the Travancore Kings who were patrons of arts and culture. Irayimman Thampi, Maharaja Swathi Thirunal and Raja Ravi Varma are some of the very popular artists from Thiruvananthapuram. Trivandrum has everything – from art, literature, temples, museums to film festivals and lip-smacking cuisine and even more.
Situated on India’s southwestern tip, Thiruvananthapuram, has played an important role in cultural renaissance. As Thrivananthapuram, like other south Indian civilizations has been away from foreign invasions, unlike the northern region, it has been the venue of free development of a Hindu-based culture. Thiruvananthapuram has seen influences from Jainism, Buddhism, Greco-Roman, Christianity and Islam influences, which can be seen in its dance, painting, poetry, literature, sculptures and now in its films. The locals are traditional people who like to follow their age -old traditions and transfer them to their generations.
Art, Craft and Music
Trivandrum is home to Raja Ravi Varma, the popular painter, with his works displayed at the Sri Chitra Art Gallery. There are a number of other museums too in the city. The temples and palaces of this city has well-preserved and are rare specimens of 18th century murals and traditional Travancore architecture. Maharaja Swathi Thirunal, a great composer, was from Thiruvanathapuram. He has played a prime role in the development of Carnatic music and has a college after his name– Swathi Thirunal College of Music. Irayimman Thampi was his other popular contemporary. At the Veli Lake and Shankumugham beach, one can fine some amazing sculptures of the eminent sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman.
Cuisine
The people of Thiruvananthapuram are fond of general Keralite cuisine. Coconut and spices are used in abundance in the dishes of Thiruvananthapuram. Although South Indian cuisine is the specialty but there are restaurants serving tasty Chinese and North Indian dishes as well. There is no dearth of fast food options in the city too.
Literature and Poetry
A number of great poets and literary men have been from ancient Thiruvananthapuram, including Ayyipillai Asan of the 15th or 16th century who his popular for his work Ramakadhapattu and Unnayi Warrier and Kunchan Nambiar, 2 famed poets were patronized by the royal family of Travancore.
There are numerous libraries in Trivandrum such as the Centre for Development Studies Library, the State Central Library, Thiruvananthapuram Children’s Library, Manuscripts Library, ), the University Library to name a few. Some of the noted figures in the field of literature and poetry are Kerala Varma Valiakoi Thampuran, A. R. Raja Raja Varma (known as ‘Kerala Panini’, C. V. Raman Pillai, Mahakavi Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer, Kumaran Asan, Mahakavi Kumaran Asan, Sreekanteswaram Padmanabha Pillai, Chattampi Swamikal and Kerala Narayana Guru.
Painting and Sculpture
Thiruvananthapuram has made a lot of contribution to painting, with the first example of traditional murals been found in a small cave-shrine at Thirunandikkara in southern Travancore. Apart from this, there were other murals influenced from Hindu and Buddhist traditions. The most popular temple of Trivandrum, Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple, has 18th century murals. The Padmanabha Swami Temple, another popular temple is known for its 16th century paintings of the popular artists, Raja Ravi Verma, a great contributor to Indian painting.
The city is also dotted with several statues including those of freedom fighters and political leaders along with those of animals and fiction figures.
Film
The film culture of the city is extremely strong, with the presence of a number of animation companies such as Toonz India Ltd, Tata Elxsi Ltd and The Kinfra Film and Video Park. In the second half of the 17th century, the Malayalam film industry shifted its base from Chennai to Trivandrum.
The city becomes the venue of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), in November/December every year. Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, established in 1998, makes the theater scene a popular and bustling one.
Festivals
Because of being the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram becomes the venue of several religious, state or tourist festivals all round the year. Following are some of the popular fairs and festivals in Thiruvananthapuram:
Onam
Onam, an important festival is celebrated along with tourism week festival of Tourism Department, which is celebrated generally in August- September. The city and its streets get drenched in lights and color during the one-week festival and the roads are encroached by street vendors. Major attractions like Kanakakkunnu palace museum, Theerthapadamandapam, Shanghumugham and VJT Hall become the venue of different kinds of cultural and religious programs. This one-week celebration comes to an end with a grand procession that comprises of drum beats, decorated elephants, traditional folk arts performances and martial arts.
The Village Fair
Starting from 3rd January, this one-week festival is a major attraction. A complete village of rural Kerala is recreated with artisans, astrologers, Nalukettu (traditional house), temples and more. This is village fair is the perfect time to get a sneak-peak into the life of the people and their lifestyle. The village site, recreated near Kovalam includes a number of cultural performances as well such as Theyyam, Kathakali, Kalaripayattu, Koodiyattam and more.
Food Festival
Organized during the 2nd week of February with special chef stalls for each state is the perfect time to relish some amazing gastronomical delights. During this week-long food festival, you get a chance to taste delicacies of every region of India.
Nishagandhi Dance Festival
Nishagandhi Dance Festival is a dance festival that is organized by the Tourism Development Corporation where there is no entry fee. The open-air theatre of Nishagandhi in the Kanakakunnu Palace compound sees performances by prime artists of different classical dances forms such as Mohiniyattam, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Modern ballet including others.
Vetta and Arattu
Celebrated twice in a year, in Oct-Nov and then in March-April includes a number of cultural programs including an all-night Kathakali. Vetta is a representation of Lord Vishnu hunting of the demon of evil in the forest. During the next afternoon, Arattu procession starts where statues of Lord Padmanabha, Lord Krishna and Lord Narasimha (of the Padmanabhaswamy temple) taken into the Arabian Sea at Sangumugham beach. The Royal Family attends this festival. During sunset, these images are bathed in the sea and then returned to the temple.
Attukal Pongala
Celebrated between 18th to 26th February every year, Attukal Pongala is a 10-day festival at Attukal Bhagavati Temple. Around thousands of women devotees from all around the state, on the 9th day, gather in the temple to prepare Pongala, an offering to the deity goddess prepared from jaggery, coconut and bananas. All this begins starts early morning and comes to an end in the afternoon.
Chandanakudam Mahostsavam
This 10-day festival is a celebration on the death anniversary of Beema Beevi, a pious Muslim woman. Celebrated at the shrine in Beemapalli (5 km south west of Thiruvananthapuram), this festival sees devotees from different area of the district offer offer coins in earthen pots that is decorated with incense sticks and flowers, sandal wood paste. The mouth of the earthen pot, called chandanakudam, is covered with white cloths and garlands. Flag hoisting on the Jamadul of the Hijra year marks the beginning of the festival and ends on the 10th day when the flag is lowered
