Today on Facebook, I came across some beautiful photographs of the Kottayam Cheriapally (St. Mary's Orthodox Church), along with pictures featuring author Manu S Pillai and historian Pallikonam Rajeev. That instantly took me back to 'SAGA — A Journey into Kerala’s History, Heritage, Culture, and Arts.' 🌴📚 'Episode 7, Syrian Christians of Kerala', felt deeply personal to me. It beautifully captures the story of the Nasrani community — their roles as merchants and warriors — while gently weaving in the local history of places that are not just locations, but parts of my life. My home village Kuravilangad, and places like Kaduthuruthy, Uzhavoor, Kottayam, Aruvithura, etc… each of them carries memories, emotions, and a deep sense of belonging. 🌿 For me, these are not just names on a map — they are pieces of my identity, my childhood, and my nostalgic journey. 💭✨ The conversation between Manu S. Pillai and Pallikonam Rajeev offers a thoughtful and engaging perspective on Kottayam as a historic Christian centre, and more importantly, as a beautiful reflection of Kerala’s unique syncretic traditions. 🤝🕊️ For anyone who loves exploring Kerala’s diverse communities, history, arts, and culture, the SAGA series by 'The Archival and Research Project (ARPO)' is truly special. It’s not just something you watch — it’s something you feel. 🎬❤️ 🎥 Watch Episode 7 here: https://youtu.be/XuhftsGmUNw?si=XC-0MTrcUSKEcpCh ✒️ George Palackalody #KeralaHistory #Kerala #Kottayam #Kuravilangad #KeralaCulture #Nostalgia #Nasrani #Roots #NasraniDiaspora #MyKerala #Heritage #Memories #Keralam

It's our Keralam. 🌴💛 This is a common sight in our buses, auto-rickshaws, barber shops, hotels, movie theatres, and countless other places across Kerala. For us, seeing Hindu, Christian, and Muslim symbols, saints, deities, or places of worship sharing the same frame has always been part of everyday life. We grew up with it, so most of us never even thought twice about it. Interestingly, it was only after visitors from other parts of India started posting these photos online with amazement that many of us realised how unusual this appears elsewhere. 😊 What we see as ordinary, others often see as remarkable. The amusing part is that while many people appreciate these images as a beautiful example of coexistence and mutual respect, some posts attract surprisingly negative reactions. In recent years, a few voices have even tried to portray this very spirit of harmony as something undesirable. Yet this simple scene continues to exist everywhere around us — not because of campaigns, slogans, or politics, but because generations of ordinary Keralites chose to live that way. For most of us, this is nothing extraordinary. It's simply Kerala. 🌴🤝☪️✝️🕉️ And perhaps that's one of Kerala's quietest and most beautiful strengths. 💙 ✒️ George Palackalody #Kerala 🌴 #Keralam #GodsOwnCountry #KeralaCulture #KeralaLife #KeralaStories #UnityInDiversity #ReligiousHarmony #PeacefulCoexistence #IndianCulture #EverydayKerala #KeralaDiaries #ProudKeralite #SocialHarmony #GeorgePalackalody #Georgey ✨