Last week, after the Home Ministry of India suggested some tweaks, the Kerala Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on Monday to officially change the state’s name from Kerala to Keralam.
The state government thought it was high time to give the name a bit of a makeover to better reflect the region’s cultural and linguistic heritage. Keralam is what locals often call Kerala in Malayalam, so it feels more authentic and true to their roots.
Meanwhile, an area in Malappuram which was ALSO called Kerala will keep things the same and is sticking with its OG local name Kerala. The Malappuram district has built a strong identity with that name, and changing it could cause some unnecessary confusion. Locals in Malappuram are happy to keep the familiar name while the name of the state transitions to Keralam.
People are pretty excited about the change. Many feel that Keralam just sounds right and fits better with their history and identity. It’s a name that’s been used in conversations, literature, and songs for ages, so it feels like coming home.
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Now, officials are busy updating signs, official documents, and anything else that needs the new name. It’s going to take some time, but it’s a move that a lot of people are happy about.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who put forward the resolution, wanted the central government to use “Kerala in all the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This is actually the second time they’ve done this because the Union Home Ministry asked for some technical changes after reviewing the first resolution.
Overall, the switch to Keralam from Kerala is a cool change that many are welcoming. It’s a way to honor the state’s rich cultural heritage while embracing a name that really resonates with the people.
