Kerala village fair is one of the biggest fairs celebrated in the state every year. the Fair is organized in the month of January for ten days in Kovalam and Ernakulam district of the state. A large number of cultural activities are held at this fair. the main purpose of organizing this fair to promote the musical and dance culture of the state.
Various well known artists come from far off places to take part in this festival. A large number of stalls are also put up at the fair. These help to give a boost to the local handicraft. The fair is also a good time to shop. Religious activities also a part of this fair.
Kovalam is a popularly visited place in the country alluring the foreign tourists with its traditions and culture throughout the year. The Kerala Village Fair is a ten-day long festival also known as "Gramam" in the local ethnicity.
The basic concept of celebrating the "Gramam" is to recreate an entire village in the traditional style of Kerala. It feeds the general curiosity of the travelers' and assists them to experience the authentic outlook of the southern state apart from the life of beaches. Traditional food and clothes along with other handicrafts work would be on display just like any other fair.
Gramam in Malayalam means village. The Kerala village fair is the nostalgic recreation and celebration of the ancient era of pastoral simplicity and charm on the golden coasts of the internationally renowned Kovalam beach. An entire village of Kerala dating over half a century ago is replicated, from the traditional house nalukettu that is the quadrangular noble house with a courtyard open in the center, astrologers, artisans, and even sorcerers, to provide the visitors a glimpse to the rich history of Kerala.
The courtyard of the traditional nalukettu serves as a venue for the classical art form performances like Thiruvathirakali, Mohiniyattom, Oppana, Kalarippayattu, Sarpapattu, Theyyam, Kummattikkali, Kakkarisinatakam, Panchavadyam. Chakyarkoothu, Ottanthullal etc. These performances along with bhajans and folk songs are part of the evening shenanigans. The women adorn the traditional MundumNeriyathum which is a two-piece garment worn as a saree while the men wear KasavuMundu commonly known as lungi nationwide along with a kurta or shirt.
Kerala, the “God’s Own Country” is a land of colours! Be it the nature’s ‘green’ shade romancing the ’emerald’ backwaters, the ‘golden’ rays of the sun caressing the clear ‘white’ sands, or the ‘azure’ sky calling for the mystical ‘hues’, Kerala showcases all the colours of Mother Nature! Well, if you want to explore all these shades and colours of the nature, you must your Kerala trip during any of the fairs and festivals in Kerala! It is during the fairs and festivals; the entire of the state unites together, removes all the religious and communal barriers, to celebrate every moment with full vigour and enthusiasm. No matter what background they are from, the way these locals celebrate the fairs and festivals in Kerala, it simply creates an everlasting memory in the minds of everyone!