Malayalis

Malayalis are an ethnolinguistic group native to the Indian state of Kerala who speak Malayalam. The term Malayali refers to people whose mother tongue is Malayalam, including those living in Kerala and members of the Kerala diaspora. Significant Malayali communities are found in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and in various parts of India and beyond, where ties to Kerala—through language, culture, and family networks—remain strong.

Malayalis are culturally diverse, with adherents of Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity forming the major religious communities in Kerala. The state's long history as a maritime trading region fostered social reform movements and high literacy, contributing to a pluralist and cosmopolitan culture. Community life is marked by local festivals, temples, mosques, churches, and a shared Malayalam-language media ecosystem.

Cultural contributions include classical performing arts such as Kathakali and Mohiniyattam, as well as Malayalam literature and cinema. Kerala's cuisine emphasizes coconut, rice, fish, and vegetables, with iconic dishes like fish curry, avial, and appam. The economy blends agriculture and fishing with a modern services sector, including information technology and health care. Remittances from Malayalis working abroad, notably in the Gulf, have significantly influenced Kerala's economy and society.