Cochin (Kochi) the great spice port in the south Indian state of Kerala is a collection of fascinating stories, all of which come together to give it its inspiring character. Some of these stories are well known, others not as much.
Redbird is a Kerala specialist, and we have been working with local expert The Traveling Gecko to provide some great Kochi special interest tours that highlight the lesser known stories. There is an element of community interaction in all our tours which make it a two-way experience.
The Women of Kathakali (Kochi, Kerala)
Kathakali, the classical dance-drama, evolved into its present form sometime in the 16th-17th Century CE, around the same time that Shakespeare was writing his plays in England. Like Elizabethan theatre it was an all-male art form. But on this tour we meet the highly spirited women Kathakali actor/dancers, who broke through the male bastion and made a name for themselves. These women share with us their inspiring journey, while explaining the different elements of this fascinating art form. The interaction ends with a brief lecture-demonstration without any make-up or costume.
One of the best ways to experience and enjoy a place is through sampling its local cuisine. See the many local delicacies available on the streets of Mattancherry and Fort Kochi (old Cochin) in the company of a Kochi food enthusiast. From a tiny coffee roaster that is over 80 years old, to a massive warehouse for wholesale spices such as ginger and pepper and traditional natural medicines, the early evening tour immerses you in the teatime bustle at the local snack shops. This walk will enrich your culinary curiosity and perhaps inspire you with new ideas, ingredients and flavours to try back home.
