Kerala, popularly known as God’s Own Country, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, classical art forms, traditional festivals, folk performances, distinctive cuisine, traditional clothing, literature, music, and customs. This collection of 100 general knowledge questions explores the cultural identity and traditions of Kerala, making it useful for students, teachers, quiz competitions, and anyone interested in Kerala’s heritage.

Section 1: Kerala Festivals and Celebrations

1. Which is the most famous harvest festival of Kerala?
2. During which Malayalam month is Onam usually celebrated?
3. Which legendary king is believed to visit Kerala during Onam?
4. What is the traditional floral arrangement made during Onam called?
5. What is the name of the grand vegetarian feast served during Onam?
6. Which festival in Kerala is famous for its spectacular fireworks and elephant processions at Thrissur?
7. Which temple hosts the famous Thrissur Pooram festival?
8. What is the traditional boat race associated with Onam celebrations called?
9. Which famous boat race is held on the Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha?
10. Which Kerala festival is celebrated with decorated elephants, percussion ensembles, and temple rituals?
11. Which festival marks the Malayalam New Year in the traditional calendar?
12. What is the traditional Vishu arrangement of auspicious items viewed first on Vishu morning called?
13. What is the ceremonial gift of money given to younger family members during Vishu called?
14. Which festival is associated with the lighting of lamps and the worship of Lord Krishna in Guruvayur?
15. Which annual festival at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is famous for the participation of large numbers of women preparing Pongala?

Section 2: Classical Dance and Performing Arts

16. Which classical dance-drama form originated in Kerala and is known for elaborate makeup and costumes?
17. Which classical dance form of Kerala is traditionally performed by women and is known for graceful circular movements?
18. Which traditional Kerala art form combines dance, mime, music, and storytelling and is often performed by men in groups?
19. Which ritual art form of North Kerala features performers wearing elaborate face paint and costumes representing deities and ancestral spirits?
20. Which traditional martial art originated in Kerala?
21. Which Kerala performance tradition is famous for its expressive eye movements and detailed facial expressions?
22. What is the traditional name for the elaborate makeup used in Kathakali?
23. Which art form uses a painted face, a large headdress, and vigorous movements to portray mythological characters in Kerala?
24. Which traditional Kerala dance-drama is performed by women and draws on stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata?
25. Which art form features a performer narrating stories while using rhythmic gestures and expressive movements, traditionally associated with Kerala’s temple arts?
26. Which traditional performance uses a decorated horse-shaped frame worn by dancers?
27. Which folk dance of Kerala is associated with the Muslim community and often performed during weddings and celebrations?
28. Which traditional Kerala art form involves dancers striking sticks rhythmically while moving in a circle?
29. Which ritual performance of Kerala involves dramatic portrayals of deities and is associated with the Malabar region?
30. Which percussion instrument is a major feature of Kerala temple festivals and traditional ensembles?

Section 3: Traditional Music and Musical Instruments

31. Which traditional Kerala percussion instrument is shaped like a barrel and played with two sticks?
32. Which hourglass-shaped percussion instrument is commonly used in Kerala temple music?
33. Which traditional percussion instrument is played with the hands and is prominent in Kerala’s Panchavadyam ensemble?
34. What is the name of the traditional five-instrument ensemble performed at Kerala temple festivals?
35. Which musical instrument is commonly associated with the Chenda Melam performance?
36. Which traditional Kerala folk song genre is associated with the Mappila Muslim community?
37. Which traditional songs are sung during the performance of Thiruvathirakali?
38. Which form of devotional singing is associated with the Hindu temple traditions of Kerala?
39. Which traditional art form combines percussion music and coordinated movements in a temple setting?
40. What is the name of the traditional boat-race song sung by rowers in Kerala?

Section 4: Traditional Food and Cuisine

41. Which traditional Kerala dish consists of rice, vegetables, and other vegetarian preparations served on a banana leaf?
42. Which Kerala breakfast dish is made from fermented rice batter and has a soft centre with a lacy edge?
43. Which traditional Kerala dish consists of steamed cylinders of rice flour and grated coconut?
44. What is the name of the Kerala dish made from rice flakes or roasted rice flour, often served with banana?
45. Which traditional Kerala dish is prepared using tapioca and fish curry?
46. Which famous Kerala fish curry often gets its distinctive red colour and tangy flavour from kudampuli?
47. Which Kerala sweet dish is made primarily from rice ada, milk, and sugar?
48. Which traditional Kerala dessert is prepared using jaggery, coconut milk, and lentils?
49. What is the name of the banana chips commonly prepared in Kerala using raw bananas and coconut oil?
50. Which traditional Kerala snack is made from rice flour, grated coconut, and jaggery, often shaped into small steamed cakes?
51. Which Kerala dish is made using roasted coconut, spices, and meat or vegetables in a thick preparation?
52. Which traditional Kerala bread is layered and made from refined flour, often served with curry?
53. What is the name of the traditional Kerala breakfast dish made from appam served with a coconut-milk-based stew?
54. Which spice, widely grown in Kerala, is commonly called the “Queen of Spices”?
55. Which tropical fruit is commonly used to prepare traditional Kerala chips, curries, and desserts?

Section 5: Traditional Clothing and Jewellery

56. What is the traditional white or cream-coloured garment with a gold border commonly worn by women in Kerala called?
57. What is the traditional lower garment worn by many men in Kerala called?
58. What is the name of the traditional Kerala sari associated with a cream body and gold border?
59. Which traditional garment is commonly worn by women during Onam celebrations?
60. What is the name of the traditional white cloth with a gold border worn around the waist by men in Kerala?
61. Which traditional jewellery item is often worn by Kerala Christian brides as a symbol of marriage?
62. What is the name of the traditional necklace associated with Hindu weddings in Kerala?
63. Which traditional Kerala bridal adornment is worn around the waist?
64. Which traditional Kerala jewellery style is known for its gold ornaments and elaborate bridal sets?
65. During which major Kerala festival do many people traditionally wear new clothes called Kodi vasthram?

Section 6: Rituals, Customs, and Religious Traditions

66. What is the traditional ceremonial lamp used in Kerala homes and temples called?
67. What is the name of the traditional oil lamp with multiple wicks commonly used in Kerala ceremonies?
68. Which traditional Kerala ritual involves offering rice, flowers, and other items to ancestors?
69. What is the traditional ceremony marking a child’s first feeding of solid food called?
70. Which traditional Kerala ceremony marks a child’s first formal introduction to learning and writing?
71. What is the name of the traditional Hindu wedding ceremony in which the bride and groom exchange or receive the thali?
72. Which ritual art form is traditionally performed in some Kerala temples to honour Bhagavathy and other deities?
73. What is the name of the traditional serpent worship groves found in parts of Kerala?
74. Which Kerala religious tradition is associated with the annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala?
75. Which famous Christian pilgrimage centre in Kerala is associated with St. Alphonsa?

Section 7: Kerala Architecture and Traditional Homes

76. What is the traditional architectural style of Kerala known for sloping roofs, timber construction, and courtyards?
77. What is the name of the traditional central courtyard found in many Kerala ancestral homes?
78. What is the traditional ancestral home of a Nair joint family in Kerala often called?
79. Which traditional Kerala building material is widely used for roofing tiles?
80. What is the name of the traditional Kerala wooden swing often found in old homes and courtyards?
81. Which architectural feature helps traditional Kerala houses cope with heavy monsoon rainfall?
82. What is the name of the traditional Kerala Hindu temple tower or gateway structure?
83. Which traditional Kerala house style is associated with large ancestral homes of wealthy families?
84. Which Kerala town is famous for the historic Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace?
85. Which traditional Kerala building style is often characterised by wooden pillars, intricate carvings, and tiled roofs?

Section 8: Literature, Language, and Cultural Heritage

86. What is the official language of Kerala?
87. Which ancient Malayalam poet is traditionally associated with the Adhyathmaramayanam Kilippattu?
88. Who is widely known as the father of the Malayalam language?
89. Which Malayalam poet is famous for the poem Veena Poovu?
90. Who wrote the Malayalam novel Chemmeen?
91. Which Malayalam writer received the Jnanpith Award for the novel Oru Desathinte Katha?
92. Which classical language tradition has strongly influenced Malayalam vocabulary and literature alongside Tamil?
93. What is the name of the traditional palm-leaf manuscript used to preserve ancient texts in Kerala?
94. Which Malayalam literary figure is popularly known as Mahakavi and wrote Chandalabhikshuki?
95. Which traditional storytelling performance of Kerala uses painted images or illustrations to narrate stories?

Section 9: Traditional Sports, Crafts, and Community Life

96. Which traditional martial art of Kerala includes techniques using swords, shields, and flexible weapons?
97. Which famous Kerala boat race features long, narrow snake boats rowed by large teams?
98. Which traditional craft of Kerala is associated with the production of the famous ivory-coloured and gold-bordered Balaramapuram handloom textiles?
99. Which Kerala town is famous for its traditional metal mirrors known as Aranmula Kannadi?
100. Which traditional Kerala craft is famous for intricate coir products made from coconut husk fibre?

Answer Key: 100 Kerala Culture and Traditions GK Questions

Answers 1–25

1. Onam
2. Chingam
3. King Mahabali (Maveli)
4. Pookalam
5. Onam Sadya
6. Thrissur Pooram
7. Vadakkunnathan Temple
8. Vallam Kali
9. Nehru Trophy Boat Race
10. Thrissur Pooram
11. Vishu is traditionally regarded as the astrological New Year in Kerala; the Malayalam calendar year begins in Chingam.
12. Vishukkani
13. Vishukkaineettam
14. As phrased, this is not uniquely identifiable; Guruvayur Ekadasi is the famous observance at Guruvayur Temple.
15. Attukal Pongala
16. Kathakali
17. Mohiniyattam
18. Kakkarissi Natakam
19. Theyyam
20. Kalaripayattu
21. Kathakali
22. Kathakali Chutti
23. Kathakali
24. Sthree Vesham performances are not one uniquely identifiable art form; the intended answer may be Nangiar Koothu, which is traditionally performed by women.
25. Chakyar Koothu
26. Kuthiyottam is not the horse-frame dance; the intended answer is likely Kuthirakali.
27. Oppana
28. Kolkali
29. Theyyam
30. Chenda

Answers 26–50

26. Kuthirakali
27. Mappila Pattu is the song tradition; Oppana is the dance performance.
28. Kolkali
29. Theyyam
30. Chenda
31. Chenda
32. Idakka
33. Maddalam
34. Panchavadyam
35. Chenda
36. Mappila Pattu
37. Thiruvathirappattu
38. Sopana Sangeetham
39. Panchavadyam
40. Vanchipattu
41. Kerala Sadya
42. Appam
43. Puttu
44. Puttu is the likely intended answer, although the description can also refer to other rice-based preparations.
45. Kappa and meen curry
46. Kerala fish curry with kudampuli
47. Palada Payasam
48. Parippu Payasam
49. Kaya varuthathu (banana chips)
50. Ada

Answers 51–75

51. Theeyal
52. Porotta
53. Appam and stew
54. Cardamom
55. Banana
56. Settu mundu
57. Mundu
58. Kasavu sari
59. Settu mundu or kasavu sari
60. Kasavu mundu
61. Minnu
62. Thali or mangalsutra; the design varies by community
63. Oddiyanam (waist belt)
64. Traditional Kerala gold jewellery
65. Onam
66. Nilavilakku
67. Nilavilakku
68. Bali or ancestral offerings, depending on the specific rite
69. Choroonu (Annaprashana)
70. Ezhuthiniruthu (Vidyarambham)
71. Thalikettu
72. Theyyam or other regional temple rituals, depending on the location
73. Sarpa Kavu
74. Sabarimala pilgrimage
75. Bharananganam, associated with St. Alphonsa

Answers 76–100

76. Kerala-style traditional architecture
77. Nadumuttam
78. Tharavadu
79. Clay roof tiles
80. Oonjal
81. Steep, sloping roofs with broad eaves
82. Gopuram
83. Nalukettu
84. Kochi
85. Traditional Kerala timber architecture
86. Malayalam
87. Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan
88. Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan
89. Kumaran Asan
90. Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
91. S. K. Pottekkatt
92. Sanskrit
93. Thaliyola
94. Kumaran Asan
95. Tholpavakoothu uses leather puppets and a shadow screen; illustrated storytelling traditions vary.
96. Kalaripayattu
97. Chundan Vallam (snake boat)
98. Balaramapuram handloom weaving
99. Aranmula
100. Coir craft

Conclusion

Kerala’s culture is a rich blend of ancient traditions, religious diversity, artistic excellence, distinctive cuisine, traditional architecture, and community celebrations. From the vibrant Pookalams of Onam and the rhythm of Chenda Melam to the graceful movements of Mohiniyattam and the martial discipline of Kalaripayattu, these traditions continue to shape Kerala’s identity.

For students and quiz enthusiasts, these 100 questions provide a starting point for exploring and preserving the cultural heritage of Kerala. Share this quiz with friends, students, and fellow lovers of Kerala culture to encourage learning and appreciation of the state’s traditions.