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 kasavuIt 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 heartI 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.