Page 557 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

INTRODUCING SOUTH INDIA  555

development indices that are
exceptional among Indian states –
the country’s highest literacy rate (the
language spoken here is Malayalam), a
low population growth rate, the lowest
infant mortality rate, and a near-perfect
record in communal harmony. Cul turally,
Kerala boasts spectacular dance forms
such as Kathakali (see p661), and the
martial kalaripayattu (see p630). Today,
its renowned Ayurvedic health resorts
(see p633) are also a major draw for
international travellers.
Telangana is South India’s largest state,
with its capital, Hyderabad, located in
the heart of the Deccan Plateau. This
city was once the seat of the powerful
Nizams (see p664), whose wealth was
legendary. Their legacy has given
A portrait of late film star-turned-politician Jayalalitha Hyderabad a unique flavour, rich in
manifestations of an Islamic culture –
A more modern face of Tamil Nadu can be in its architecture and cuisine, and in
seen in the state capital, Chennai, a vibrant the widespread use of Urdu.
commercial and political centre that Telegu-speaking Andhra Pradesh
still retains its traditional values. shares with Tamil Nadu a penchant for
Here, classical Carnatic film stars-turned-politicians. For
music concerts draw as many years it was ruled by
large and enthusiastic Telugu cinema’s most
crowds as raucous loved actor, NT Rama Rao,
political rallies. Many who specialized in playing
coastal areas in Tamil mythological heroes. His
Nadu were devastated son-in-law, Chandrababu Naidu,
by the December 2004 as chief minister, chose a more
tsunami, which took a toll of A truck overloaded down-to-earth way of winning
over 10,000 lives. Kerala and with hay popular support, with his schemes
Andhra Pradesh were also to modernize the state. As a result,
affected, though to a much lesser extent. Hyderabad, which is also the capital
In Kerala, separated from Tamil Nadu of Andhra Pradesh, now vies with
by the magnificent forested hills of the Bengaluru for the title of India’s
Western Ghats, the main attraction is not information technology capital.
temples (though it has those too), but
natural beauty. It is easy to understand
why this narrow strip of land between
the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats,
with its verdant landscape of palm trees,
paddy fields and coffee plantations,
crisscrossed by enchanting waterways,
has been dubbed “God’s own country”.
Modern-day Kerala, with a strong
leftist political tradition, boasts of Tamil Brahmin boys performing a religious ritual

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