Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Kerala Invites Travellers To Be Malayali For A Day
Kerala has started a new tourism programme called “Be a Malayali for a Day.”
It invites visitors to experience local life instead of only looking at scenic places.
Travellers can help make Athapookalams, which are colourful flower designs.
They can also learn to cook traditional Onam food.
Visitors will meet artists and explore Kerala’s traditional art forms.
Each district may create its own special cultural tourism identity.
Kerala also wants to record and protect traditional art forms.
The state plans to share this culture online so more people can learn about it.
The programme is meant to keep Kerala’s traditions active for future generations.
Kerala launched “Be a Malayali for a Day,” an experiential tourism programme focused on local life and culture.
Visitors can create Athapookalams, prepare authentic Onam meals and learn traditional art forms from local practitioners.
Tourism Minister PC Vishnunadh said the strategy is shifting from simply seeing Kerala to experiencing it.
Each district is expected to develop a distinct cultural tourism identity based on its festivals, arts and events.
The state plans to document traditional art forms and share them digitally with younger and international audiences.
- Who
- The Kerala government, led in the announcement by Tourism Minister PC Vishnunadh, is promoting the programme for travellers.
- What
- Kerala launched “Be a Malayali for a Day,” an initiative offering hands-on experiences of local traditions, food and art.
- When
- The articles do not specify a launch date.
- Where
- Kerala, India, with cultural tourism activities planned across its districts.
- Why
- To encourage deeper cultural engagement, promote district-level tourism throughout the year, preserve heritage and share it with wider audiences.
- Programme
- Be a Malayali for a Day
- Announced by
- Kerala Tourism Minister PC Vishnunadh
- Featured experiences
- Creating Athapookalams, preparing Onam meals and exploring traditional art forms
- Tourism strategy
- Moving from asking visitors to see Kerala toward encouraging them to experience it
- District plan
- Each district is intended to develop its own cultural tourism identity
- Heritage preservation
- Traditional art forms are being scientifically documented and safeguarded
- Digital outreach
- Kerala plans to make cultural traditions more accessible through digital platforms