As Kerala celebrates its 69th formation day on November 1st, it remains ‘God’s Own Country’ — a land of breathtaking mountain ranges, lush greenery, serene backwaters, and a vibrant culture. Yet, like any place, it has its imperfections. We reached out to several well-known Malayali personalities to hear their honest thoughts on what they truly love, and sometimes find challenging, about their home state.
Aju Varghese,
Actor, producer
Aju Varghese
What he loves about Kerala
Actor and producer Aju Varghese passionately praises Kerala’s culinary scene, calling its cuisine ‘unparalleled, varied, and fabulous.’ He also expresses immense pride in the Malayalam language, its rich literary heritage, and the celebrated Malayalam cinema industry, which he deeply cherishes as his professional domain.
What he finds challenging
However, Varghese points out a societal flaw: the lack of reciprocal respect. He observes that while in many other states, touching elders’ feet is a sign of reverence, some Malayalis, particularly on social media, mock this tradition. He questions this tendency, emphasizing that such practices are not a cause for inferiority.
Hibi Eden
Member of Parliament
Hibi Eden, Member of Parliament
What he finds challenging about Kerala
Member of Parliament Hibi Eden voiced his concern over the increasing religious divisions and the spread of hatred over trivial matters within the state. He fears Kerala could become a hotbed for communal violence, particularly disturbed by the prevalence of vulgarity and bullying on social media.
What he loves
On a brighter note, Eden cherishes Kerala’s natural beauty, vibrant culture, high literacy rate, diverse cuisine, and festive spirit. He feels immense pride when other states recognize Kerala as progressive. He also highlights the global appreciation for Malayalis’ honesty and dedication, especially among healthcare professionals working overseas.
Sowmya Vidyadhar
Author
Soumya Vidyadhar
What she loves about Kerala
Author Sowmya Vidyadhar deeply appreciates the strong sense of community in Kerala, where people genuinely care for one another. She notes that healthcare is considered a fundamental right, not a luxury. For her, Kerala’s culture thrives in everyday moments, like discussing cinema over tea. She enjoys the diverse music, from classical to pop, that fills the air, and values an education system that prioritizes critical thinking over rote memorization.
What she finds challenging
However, Vidyadhar points out the downsides: excessive social interference and a reluctance to embrace change. She explains that the beautiful community spirit can sometimes lead to nosiness, with people feeling entitled to judge others’ life choices. This ‘I know best’ mentality fosters intellectual rigidity, making it difficult for some to unlearn, adapt, or accept new perspectives that challenge traditional values or personal pride.
Sabari Venu
Freelance creative director and designer (@meancurry)
Sabari Venu
What she finds challenging about Kerala
Freelance creative director Sabari Venu (known as @meancurry) shares a humorous yet serious ‘love-hate’ relationship with Kerala’s humidity: ‘I love what it does to my hair, but hate what it does to my allergies!’ More critically, she believes Kerala has much progress to make in gender equality and representation. She calls for a cultural shift, spearheaded by younger generations, to dismantle the pervasive patriarchy still present in society. Despite significant advancements, she insists, ‘we should not settle for that.’
What she loves about Malayalis
Venu deeply admires the passionate nature of Malayalis across various fields—be it football, politics, critical discourse, food, or art. She believes this shared passion is the wellspring of their strong camaraderie and community spirit, a quality she remains ‘forever in awe of.’
Sreelakshmy Govardhanan
Kuchipudi dancer
Sreelakshmy Govardhanan
What she loves about Kerala
Kuchipudi dancer Sreelakshmy Govardhanan expresses a profound sense of belonging to Kerala, rooted in her connection to the Malayalam language—the medium through which she thinks and feels most deeply. She finds constant renewal in the state’s vibrant arts, music, and nuanced culture, which permeate every ritual and quiet moment.
What she finds challenging
Govardhanan critiques a societal paradox: despite Malayalis’ sharp intellect and strong opinions, she feels they’ve lost some of their ‘quiet persistence to build, act, and create.’ While proud of their progressive and aware image, she notes a tendency to stay within ideological comfort zones. She desires a shift from a culture that ‘consumes more than it creates’ to one that translates ideas into sustained action. Furthermore, she hopes for safer public spaces and less celebratory attitudes towards alcohol consumption, particularly the ‘pride and competitiveness’ associated with it during festive occasions.
Dr Ananthu S
CEO, founder, Xylem Learning
Dr Ananthu S, founder and CEO, Xylem Learning
What he finds challenging about Kerala?
Dr. Ananthu S, CEO and founder of Xylem Learning, playfully dodges controversy, stating his only ‘dislike’ about Kerala is the challenge of maintaining a diet in what he calls a ‘foodies’ paradise.’
What he loves about Malayalis
He greatly admires Malayalis for their strong sense of right and wrong, which he attributes to the state’s high literacy rate. He praises their readiness to embrace positive developments while unhesitatingly rejecting anything deemed detrimental, a characteristic born from an educated populace.