Kerala Renamed Keralam: Cabinet Approves Historic Name Change Rooted in 2,000-Year-Old Legacy
In a move that bridges contemporary politics with ancient heritage, the Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to officially rename the state of Kerala to Keralam. The decision, announced just 22 minutes ago, paves the way for a constitutional amendment that will change the state’s nomenclature in official records, aligning it with the Malayali linguistic identity that dates back over two millennia.
The approval comes at a crucial political juncture, as the state prepares for its Legislative Assembly elections, scheduled before May. While the Election Commission has yet to finalize the dates, the renaming bill is expected to be a defining narrative in the upcoming polls.
A Bipartisan Push for ‘Keralam’
The movement to rename the state has enjoyed rare political unanimity in Kerala’s often fractious political landscape. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who originally tabled the unanimous resolution in the state Assembly, hailed the Cabinet’s decision as a validation of the region's cultural soul.
“The name ‘Keralam’ is not a new coinage; it is the name we have always used in Malayalam. It reflects the history of our people and the movement for a unified Malayalam-speaking state during the freedom struggle,” Vijayan had previously stated while advocating for the change.
The resolution was passed by the Assembly for a second time on June 25, 2024, after the Union Home Ministry suggested technical modifications to ensure the proposal complied with constitutional protocols. The cross-party support was further emphasized by BJP leader Rajeev Chandrashekhar, who remarked, "Calling our state Keralam will be appropriate... Every Malayali wants change and wants to set aside politics of lies and fake promises and bring in politics of performance."
Why ‘Keralam’? The 2,000-Year-Old Roots
While the anglicized name "Kerala" has been used officially in English for decades, the linguistic history of the region tells a deeper story. The name Keralam is deeply embedded in Malayalam literature, folklore, and Sangam-era texts.
Historians trace the name to geographical and mythological origins. One popular theory links it to the phrase "Cheran Alum" (land of the Chera dynasty), while another suggests it derives from "Kera" (coconut tree), a plant synonymous with the region’s landscape. The use of "Keralam" in native discourse symbolizes a connection to the Dravidian linguistic pride that predates British colonial rule, where "Kerala" became the standard in English documentation.
The Formation of Kerala: From Princely States to Linguistic Unity
To understand the weight of this name change, one must look at the bloody history of the state's formation. Modern Kerala was born on July 1, 1949, with the merger of the princely states of Travancore and Cochin, forming the Travancore-Cochin state.
However, the true linguistic reorganization came with the States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) in 1956. Chaired by Syed Fazl Ali, the commission recommended the creation of a unified Malayalam-speaking state. This led to the inclusion of the Malabar district and Kasargod taluk into the new state. Conversely, to maintain linguistic homogeneity, four southern taluks of Travancore (Thovala, Agastheeswaram, Kalkulam, and Vilavancode) along with parts of Shenkottai were transferred to the neighboring Madras State (now Tamil Nadu).
What Happens Next?
Currently, the state is listed as "Kerala" in the First Schedule of the Indian Constitution. With the Cabinet’s approval, the state Assembly’s request to amend the name under Article 3 of the Constitution will now move forward. The amendment will ensure that ‘Keralam’ is reflected in all official languages listed in the 8th Schedule.
The Cabinet Meeting Location: In a piece of administrative trivia, today’s historic decision was taken during the first Cabinet meeting held at Seva Teerth, the new official office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The previous meeting was held on February 13 at the Prime Minister’s Office in South Block.
As Kerala stands on the cusp of shedding a colonial legacy to embrace its ancient identity, the renaming to Keralam serves as a powerful reminder of the deep linguistic roots that define the Indian states.
.jpg)
