THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Marking seven decades since its formation on a linguistic basis, the state of Kerala celebrates its landmark 70th ‘Kerala Piravi’ (Statehood Day) today. Adding historic significance to this year’s celebrations, this marks the first Statehood Day commemorated after the official constitutional renaming of the state to ‘Keralam’.
Retaining its global acclaim as ‘God’s Own Country’, Keralam enters its 70th year highlighting its rich cultural legacy, ecological diversity, and socio-economic achievements. Extensive official celebrations and socio-cultural events have been organized across all districts to mark the 70th anniversary. As part of the annual traditions, the government will announce the prestigious Ezhuthachan Puraskaram for 2026—the highest literary honor in Malayalam—later today. Over seven decades, the state has built an enduring legacy across literature, arts, science, sports, and social development.
The unified state officially came into existence on November 1, 1956, under the States Reorganisation Act, amalgamating the major Malayalam-speaking regions of Travancore, Cochin, and Malabar.
The integration process had begun earlier on July 1, 1949, with the merger of the princely states of Travancore and Cochin to form the Travancore-Cochin state. Subsequently, in 1956, the Malabar district of the erstwhile Madras Presidency and Kasaragod taluk of South Canara were merged with Travancore-Cochin to carve out the modern state of Keralam.
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