Essential Cultural Attractions to Explore in South India

The distinctive culture of South India (encompassing the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu) lends itself to a number of unique and fascinating attractions. These South Indian cultural attractions will provide you with an unforgettable glimpse into the South Indian way of life.

South Indian Food

Address: Devakottai Rd, Senjai, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu 630001, India

Phone: +91 94431 83021

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If you love seafood, you’ll find dining in Kerala and other coastal parts of South India a real treat. The food in Kerala is coconut-based; however, the fiery dishes of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh might be too much for some unaccustomed Western palates.

Many travelers do love Tamil Nadu’s idlis, and Hyderabadi biryani is renowned. Food is traditionally eaten off a banana leaf with your hands, and rice is an important part of meals. Wash it down with some aromatic South Indian filter coffee (kaapi).

The best way of sampling South Indian food is by staying at a homestay, such as The Bangala in Tamil Nadu’s Chettinad region, which serves a seven-course feast and offers cooking demonstrations and packages for exploring local cuisine. The food will be cooked fresh in real home style and most likely with recipes handed down from generation to generation. You can even participate in the process! Alternatively, going on a food or cooking tour is also a delightful option.

Carnatic Music

Carnatic music is South India’s classical style of music, dating back to the 15th century. Its most common form is the kriti, a composition based on a fixed raga (melody) and tala (rhythm), involving a great deal of improvisation.

The greatest concentration of Carnatic musicians can be found in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. If you’re a fan of Carnatic music, you shouldn’t miss the Chennai Music Festival (also known as the Madras Music Season), held annually in Chennai from mid-December to mid-January.

Over 1,000 performances take place during the festival, and the Thyagaraja Carnatic Music Festival, held every January in Thiruvariyar (in the Tanjavur district of Tamil Nadu), is also excellent.

Classical Dance

South India has many classical dance forms, with Bharatanatyam being perhaps the most well-known. It is believed to have originated in the Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu, flourishing in temples and gaining popularity in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The annual Indian Dance Festival, held for a month from late December to late January in Mamallapuram, showcases many South Indian classical dance forms.

Kathakali

Address: Sangamam, Manikkath Ln, Ravipuram, Perumanoor, Ernakulam, Kochi, Kerala 682016, India

Phone: +91 98470 49542

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Kathakali is an unusual and ancient form of dance-drama that is traditional to Kerala. This art form features performers dressed in elaborate costumes, and the movements are subtle yet narrate significant mythological stories. Performers undertake intense training, including hours of eye exercises, when learning the art of Kathakali, which can be seen in many tourist areas of Kerala.

However, Cochin has the most theaters, offering daily performances. Try the Cochin Cultural Center or the Kerala Kathakali Center, where classes are also offered in Kathakali and other art forms.

Kalaripayattu

Address: Kumily Thekkady Rd, Thekkady, Kumily, Kerala 685509, India

Phone: +91 99617 40868

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Kalaripayattu is an ancient martial arts form practiced in Kerala, believed to be the oldest existing martial arts form in the world, dating back more than 2,000 years. This discipline features strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry, and healing methods. One place to experience it being performed is at the Kadathanadan Kalari Center in Thekkady, and group tours from Kochi are available.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda, the medical side of yoga, is India’s traditional natural healing system that has been practiced for over 5,000 years. It is divided into eight branches known as ashtvaidyans.

The origins of Ayurveda can be traced back to Kerala, where 18 families were believed to have practiced these ashtvaidyans and developed specialized treatments passed down through generations. Many people head to Kerala for Ayurvedic treatments, where numerous practitioners offer authentic experiences.

Festivals

Festivals are an excellent way to immerse yourself in South India’s rich culture. The two prominent festivals that take place are Onam in Kerala and Pongal in Tamil Nadu. In Thrissur, a quirky aspect of the Onam festival includes the art of Pulikali, where men dress up as tigers and parade around! Kerala is also renowned for its elephant festivals.

These festivals, part of annual temple celebrations, are held across the state from February to April, with each festival lasting approximately 10 days.

Temple Architecture

In South India, the state of Tamil Nadu boasts an impressive array of ancient, towering Dravidian temples. These temples display some of India’s greatest temple architecture, integral to Tamil culture. Many are set in breathtaking locations, whether on an island, high on a rock, or nestled in remote mountains.

Clothing

The beautifully colored South Indian silk saris are certainly hard to resist. Mysore in Karnataka and Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu are particularly famous for their exquisite hand-woven saris. Before making any purchases, it is advisable to understand the essentials of buying Kanchipuram saris.

Literature and Poetry

Address: Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India

Literature enthusiasts will be intrigued by South India’s literary excellence, tracing back over 2,000 years to the poetic Sangam period, which produced an anthology of 2,381 poems composed by 473 poets.

A notable landmark is the towering statue of Thiruvalluvar located at Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu. This Tamil poet and philosopher is the author of the Tirukkural, a classic work of Sangam literature consisting of 1,330 couplets that is considered one of the most significant texts in the Tamil language.

Moreover, women hold a respected place in South Indian literature and philosophy, which likely contributes to a more respectful treatment of women in this region compared to the north.