Gramam, the exotic village fair, represents the nostalgic recreation of past era of rustic simplicity and ethnic charm. During this 10-day long fair, an entire gramam (village) is recreated at the
Kovalam Beach in
Thiruvananthapuram and at
Marine Drive in
Ernakulam.
This fair, which is usually organized in the month of January, is a celebration of ethnic and traditional Kerala. Traditional Nalukettu houses (the quadrangular mansion) and ‘Chayakkada’ (the village tea shop) are the major attractions. Inside the Nalukettu, a wealth of antiques like wooden furniture, jewellery, musical instruments and household utensils are displayed. The tea shop sells tea, snacks and native delicacies such as kappa and meen (fish), and puttu and kadala. Artisans’ enclaves, the Kalagramams, are stalls selling handicrafts artifacts, gold and silver jewellery.
Nalukettu houses are also the venue for folk dances and music. Among the festival highlights are Kathakali, Thiruvathirakkali, Mohiniyattam, Oppana, Kalaripayattu, Sarpa Pattu, Theyyam, Kummattikali, Kakkarisinatakam, Panchavadyam , Chakyarkoothu and Ottanthullal.
