Kerala Piravi is a day that marks our identity: Anumol

Kerala became the state as we know it in 1956, formed based on language and since then, November 1 is celebrated as Kerala Piravi or Kerala Day. This Kerala Piravi, actress Anumol spoke to us about what it means to be a Malayali, and what the Kerala identity and culture mean to her...
The actress says, “Kerala Piravi is a day that marks our identity. Our generation celebrates it like a ‘birthday’, but for the people of that generation, it must have been such a satisfying day when their struggles to recognise our identity as a Malayalam-speaking community was recognised.” Excerpts:

‘Proud to be a Malayali’
People troll us saying there is nowhere that Malayalis are not present and that whenever a Malayali meets another Malayali, the first question is, Naatil evideya? We have our own language, a rooted culture, and geopolitical relevance, and that identity is a matter of pride for many of us. I am proud that I am Malayali.
‘Malayali identity is getting diluted’
I feel everything that made us Malayali or a Keralite is slowly eroding. We celebrate November 1 as Kerala Piravi, but I am concerned that celebrating our identity as a Malayali is limited to that one day like Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. Even our celebrations have changed. Be it Onam, Vishu, or marriages - the simplicity of these celebrations are gone with many external influences.

Love for kasavu
It is our traditional style to use mundu and neryath with either a golden or silver border. Now, we have readymade saris available, and the authentic sari draping experience is gone. Sari is meant to be draped and I often wish people would try and learn draping. Our handloom industry is very good. I love thatwe can see almost everyone in kasavu on November 1. It is suited for our climate and the simplicity we prefer. The Kerala sari is indeed an emotion. I have an aksharamala sari designed by my friend Chithra. A Kerala sari with Malayalam letters is too tempting to let go, so I am guarding it like a treasure now. The Malayalam we speak changes every few kilometres, but what holds us together is also this language, culture and spirit.

A Valluvanadan girl at heart
I am from Naduvattom in Pattambi. I was raised beneath the Ayiranalloor Mala, which is referenced in the Parayi Petta Panthirukulam - the same hill that Naranath Bhrantan used to roll a rock up to. This rural upbringing in the lap of a Valluvanadan gramam has entrenched our culture in me. I have played in our paddy field, bathed in our temple pond, browsed books at our local vayanashala, and perhaps because of this very Malayali upbringing, I hold my value system close. I have this self-awareness that I can’t survive away from or without my roots in Naduvattom.