The Indian state of Kerala is set to be renamed Keralam, bringing its official English name into line with the pronunciation used in the local Malayalam language. The proposal, approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet, reflects a broader push to shed colonial-era spellings and honour indigenous linguistic traditions.
In Malayalam, the state has always been called Keralam, meaning 'land of coconut trees' – Kerala produces nearly 45% of India's coconuts. The change, which won unanimous cross-party backing in the state assembly, is championed by supporters as a matter of dignity and authenticity. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the state should be known by the name its people use.
Public reaction has been mixed. Priya Matthew, a schoolteacher in Kozhikode, said: 'Keralam is the name we use in Malayalam, so for us using it in English feels more natural and familiar.' However, she noted that the English 'Kerala' had 'a certain musical flow that Keralam doesn't have'. The rename follows a pattern seen in other Indian cities: Mumbai for Bombay, Chennai for Madras, Kolkata for Calcutta, Bengaluru for Bangalore, and Odisha for Orissa.
The proposal now moves to the national parliament, where its passage is expected to be straightforward. Once approved, Keralam will become the official English-language name. Author and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who represents the state's capital Thiruvananthapuram, welcomed the change but posed a linguistic question: what becomes of the terms 'Keralite' and 'Keralan' for residents of the new Keralam?
