Happy 70th birthday, Keralam!

Tomorrow, Sunday 1 November, is Kerala Piravi, our state’s birthday. Keralam turns 70, and a big festival begins right here in Thiruvananthapuram!

News Nibbles Edition 4 · Saturday 31 October 2026· Page 2 of the paper

Dancers on a festival stage with tall brass lamps and a 70 banner, as families cheer — Dancers, tall brass lamps and happy crowds for Keralam’s birthday. An AI illustration.

On 1 November 1956, Keralam became one state. Tomorrow, it will be 70 years old! People all over the state will celebrate. In our city, there will be a big party called the Festival of Kerala.

Where and when?

The festival opens tomorrow at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, at Nishagandhi, the big open-air stage at Kanakakkunnu. Our Chief Minister, V. D. Satheesan, will open it.

What will we see?

The festival will show off Keralam’s music, dance, art and sport. It will also show how our schools and hospitals have grown.

How to say it

In Malayalam, you can say “Keralappiravi aashamsakal!” It means “Happy Kerala Piravi!”

There is more good news for our city: our school children are the state’s sports champions!

Our city’s sports champions →

How has Keralam grown? →

Lamps for good luck

At many big events in Keralam, people light a tall brass lamp called a nilavilakku to begin. Can you spot two in the picture?

Make a birthday card

Fold a paper in half. On the front, draw something you love about Keralam: a boat, an elephant, the sea or a coconut tree. Inside, write “Happy 70th birthday, Keralam!”

Did you know?Nishagandhi is named after a flower that opens only at night. Its English name is “queen of the night”.

Big wordfestival
A special time when people celebrate together.

Nibbles asksHow is your family celebrating Kerala Piravi?