Within the huge nation of India, Kerala is a small southern state. In a world wide view, Kerala insignificance disappears. One hundred members of the United Nations have smaller populations than Kerala. On an Indian map, Kerala is a narrow strip squeezed between the Arabian Sea and a mountain range, the Western Ghats. Kerala is densely populated---rather like placing the entire population of Canada onto Canadas Vancouver Island.
Malayalam is the ancient language of Kerala---written with a rounded script, unlike Hindi and like Malaysian. Although there is evidence of early trading contact with China and the Mideast, the indigenous population has been little changed since those early times.
Like all India, the culture of Kerala is essentially Hindu. Both the Muslim and Christian faiths were accepted into the society of Kerala long before the arrival of European traders and missionaries. The major religious groups of Kerala are now Muslims 21%, Christians 19%, and Hindus 60%. In comparison, Hindus and related sects in all India constitute an overwhelming 88%.
Examples of what is called industry in developed countries are few in Kerala. The economic growth is next to zero contrasted to a low 3% for all India. Rice is both a major food and a product in Kerala. Nevertheless, rice and wheat must be imported from other Indian states. In exchange, Kerala sells latex, tea, and coconut products.
In recent decades skilled labor has become a significant Kerala export. According to a recent Indian myth, income repatriated from the Gulf states is making Kerala rich. Unfortunately for Kerala, however, there have been only four years during the past forty in which Gulf wages and other repatriated monies raised the per capita incomes of Kerala to the low average incomes found in all India. (Isaac)
A data table comparing and contrasting Kerala performance with India, other Indian states, and neighboring countries is just a click away. This data is selected from the authoritative statistical appendix of Dreze(a) and Sen. The numbers from this table will be referenced frequently as we enter into the details of the remarkable Kerala story.
Some familiar European characteristics apply well in India---for each European nation there is a larger Indian state. A traveler from the East sees in European nations similar cultural, political, and economic systems. At the same time he sees boundaries enclosing different language groups. Rather like one of these European nations, Kerala may be seen as one of the several states within India.
We can find few parallels with Europe in India, however, when we look into the history of European military, economic and religious conquests. The lack of Indian imperialism may explain the larger per capita share of Earth resources managed by those outside of India. In their time, each of the imperial powers have sought riches in Kerala, but only in recent years have Keralans gone abroad, frequently for higher education in the West.
One good video speaks directly to the central thesis of this analysis, Women of Kerala, (Suzuki) and a dramatic coffee table book with pictures of the Kerala life experience (Singh(a)) is available.
(Mystery of Kerala) (Directory) March 20, 2000