The Goa-Kerala Mix-I
Goa and Kerala claim to have similar tastes of natural goodies with Sea, fish, churches, and of course coconut palms that sway with tsunamistic abandon along vast stretches of beaches. Unfortunately, the similarities end more or less with these. An exception being both states have their natives as Non-residents [The Gulf variety!]. The two states boast of dinars, riyals, and dollars stached as NRI fixed deposits contribute to our overflowing foriegn reserves[$130 billion as on 17 December 2004]. It is interesting to note why the states are so similar but people far apart.
The common obsessions of Kerala and Goa: Chaya and Cha [A cuppa tea anytime, anywhere, everywhere], Sunday morining mass at the church, Mackerel ['Chaala' in Mallu speak] fish is a hit, grated coconut is a must if it is chicken curry in Kerala or Chicken Xacuti in Goa. Unfortunately, Kerala despite having good beaches and tropical clime looses to Goa because of a narrow mindset, lack of trust, and social one-up man ship.

Series 1 starts with Kerala vices, the twin obsessions, Alcohol, and Gold

Alcohol: Though not in alphabetic order, Alcohol will undisputedly figure as a topper in Kerala. It is said if a mallu has a newspaper in his left hand, he holds a drink with his left hand. The drink used to be the piping hot Kannan Devan Chaya [Tea]. Lately, that has been replaced by strong spirits. Every marriage has to be preceded by a bachelor's party with "Teachers" to "Oldmonks" blessing all the young men of the village or town. It is today claimed as a right of every mallu male to get invited for the party. Social networks they say, are built around the brand of drink he holds. It is also very necessary that one lets the whole world know that he is drunk by venturing into the streets, and finally pouring out his "voes". From "anamayakki" to "100 pipers", Kerala boasts of a record per capita consumption of 8.3 liters of spirited juice[1].

Gold, Gold and more Gold...
Getting that precious yellow metal is a keralites obsession. Every keralite lady knows the number 24 worth the gold and that a karat is not same as a carrot. Now, with diamonds shining they have replaced the k with a C for Carat. Every small town in Kerala boasts of a Gold souk, or a Jewel Junction. Alappat, Alukkas, Bhima, Josco have become household names. Marriages become auspicious when the brides father commits in multi-soverigns to the question"Ethra swarnam ittu?" [How much gold did you put?]. A malayalee's worth in kerala is measured in the weight of gold bars, ornaments his wife posseses in the bank locker. The jewel junction in Cochin alone boasts of more jewellery shops than in Goa. Probably, the metal has god in it 'GO-l-D'

Next Blog...will look at the keralite obsessions of Comedy, Sex, and Gulf