Mid January is the time for cultural events in the lush villages around Kovalam every year. Traditional thatched houses are decorated during this ten-day long festival and are the venue for folk dances, music and festivities.
A typical Kerala village -'gramam' is recreated replete with the traditional Nalukettu houses, 'chayakkada' local teashops etc.
Traditional thatch houses (Nalukettu) are decorated during this ten-day long festival and are the venue for folk dances, music and festivities. This fair represents the nostalgic recreation of bygone era of rustic simplicity and ethnic charm. Astrologers, artisans and even sorcerers, provide the visitor a glimpse of Kerala's rich past.
Nalukettu, the traditional upper class homestead ('tharavadu'), the quadrangular mansion recreated using wood and tiles with a central open courtyard, corridors, massive pillars and dormer windows is typical of Kerala's Architectural Style. Inside the Nalukettu are displayed a wealth of antiques. Priceless furniture in Teak, Mahogany and Sandalwood, charming curios like Jewellery Boxes, Spice Bowls, Ethnic Jewellery, Exquisite Paintings and Shields and Swords Wielded by men of yore are on show. Musical Instruments, Palmyra Fans, majestic Wooden Four Poster Beds, household utensils remind one of a bygone era.
Decorated with a colourful 'Pookalam', the floral decoration in the courtyard, the Nalukettu looks enchanting with village belles in the traditional Kerala attire, dancing the 'Thiruvathira' around the tall brass lamp.
In the evenings, almost every dance, art and martial art form of Kerala is performed in the open-air auditorium of Gramam. Various classical dances like Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, traditional and folk dances like Oppana, the martial art form, Kalaripayattu and other ritualistic folk arts like Theyyam, Pulikali, Villupattu, Pavakkoothu, Kakkarisi Natakam, Panchavadyam, Thullal and Bhajans etc. are performed.
At the 'Chayakada', the village teashop, relish the taste of the tender coconut, the refreshing tea (chaya) or the tangy limejuice. One can savour local delicacies like 'Kappa' and 'Meen' (steamed tapioca served with fish curry) or 'Puttu' and 'Kadala' (pounded rice cake steamed in bamboo shoots served with a lentil dish) during the festival.
At 'Kamalagramam', the artisans' enclave, are stalls selling handcrafted artifacts. Here one can watch craftsmen at work on traditional spinning wheels, handlooms etc.