Tag: study of kerala

Many art forms that developed in medieval Kerala. Dance and music flourished in temples during the period. Koothu, Koodiyattom, and Kathakali were staged in the Koothambalam attached to temples. Hence these art forms came to be known as temple arts.
The ritual art forms like Theyyam, Thira, and Kalampattu were performed in Kavus (sacred groves) and other places of worship. They were more popular than the temple arts.

It is generally believed that Malayalam has evolved from Tamil. Sanskrit also has greatly influenced the development of Malayalam. Vattezhuthu and Kolezhuthu were the scripts used to write old Malayalam.

Krishnagatha by Cherussery, Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu and Mahabharatham Kilippattu by Ezhuthachan, Thullal literature of Kunchan Nambiar, etc. contributed to the development of the Malayalam language.

There were three broad types of land based on the ownership right during the Medieval period in Kerala. They were Cherikkal, Brahmaswam and Devaswam. The land under the control of the Naduvazhis was called Cherikkal.

The Perumals ruled Kerala during 800-1122 CE with their capital at Mahodayapuram. The Perumals had royal representatives called Koyiladhikarikal.

Owners of devaswam land were called Ooralar. According to the power hierarchy, Naduvazhis were at the top and Ooralars were below them.

The nadus were the places where the people established their agriculutral settlement. The Nadus were under the Perumals who ruled Kerala with their capital at Mahodayapuram. There were 14 Nadus and all the 14 nadus from Kolathunadu in the north to the Venad in the south accepted the rule of the Perumals.

The Perumals had a centralised nature of administration. In the matters of administration the Perumals were assisted by Naluthali, the council of Brahmins.

The Perumals ruled Kerala during 800-1122 CE with their capital at Mahodayapuram. Perumals had a militia called Ayiram which means Thousand in Malayalam.