Introduction

Covering a history of over four thousand years South India, saw the rise and fall of numerous dynasties and empires ruling in different part of the region for decades and some even for centuries. A complete contrast to what one sees in North, South India is a humble land full of rich cultural history revolving around its gigantic temples dating back to 1st Century C.E. to the popular traditional cuisine known for its simplicity; taste and flavour are all witness to the evolution of South Indian regions to the present times. South India encompasses states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Telangana today which, on the whole occupies 19% of India’s area. An abode of rich heritage and culture, the southern part of India has witnessed everything from a civil war between the medieval dynasties of Golconda, Bijapur and Ahmadpur to huge dynastic powers like Cholas & Cheras ruling the region back in history, these dynastic powers did not only make huge alterations to the regional history leaving footprints on Indian history forever but also contributed by constructing monuments, temples, garden enclosures etc. Archaeological studies on Southern region of India, takes back the history of this region to circa 8000 BCE. Today, the region holds great importance thanks to its great cuisine, beautiful Kanjivaram sarees and monumental temples, veteran film stars turned into politicians, exporting some of the most fragrant cinnamon, cloves, cinnamon and tamarind to the entire world thanks to the rich fertile soil found in the region. It is not only the tangible culture of the region which makes it remarkably unique but also the intangible aspects of culture like the famous Carnatic music and Bharatmnatyam Dance form which elevates one sensory nerve as one witnesses it. Oweing to the fact that the region accommodates one of the most literate cities in the country the region forms the backbone of the software industry in the nation. The eight largest state of India Andhra Pradesh is also the tenth most populous state in the country with its capital as Hyderabad. Hyderabad is popularly known for the rich cuisine in India; Andhra Pradesh also has the second largest coastline in the country. The new river de facto capital Amravati one of the earliest Buddhist sites in the world and eminent remains of the earliest Stupa in India making it a historically important site for Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world. With popular state language as Telugu and a great variety of soil found in the region the cuisine of the state hugely varies making millets and rice predominantly staple foods to the state. Leading producer of Red chillies and rice unlike other states in South India Telugu cuisine uses liberal amount of spices making it stand apart from other state cuisines in the region. It is indeed a pleasant site to witness traditional Telugu families relishing upon the flavorful cuisine, visiting temples at regular intervals of the week clad in traditional attires where men were a wrap around dhoti & kurtas where as women are generally adorned with vivid colour sarees and heavy jewels on festive occasions.

The eight most populous states in the country Karnataka has its capital as Bengaluru. Two main river systems Krishna and its tributaries in North and Kaveri and its tributaries on North make it one of the most fertile states in the region and the fifth largest state economy in the country. The state cuisine is one of the earliest surviving cuisines tracing its origin to as early as Iron age, the traditional attire of the state shows the harmony of modernity and culture followed in South Indian state. Women adorned in winsome kanchipuram or kanjeevaram hand woven silk sarees from Kanchipuram region in South India are the most famous, men in traditional white dhoti with a rich gold border is a common site to witness in any traditional prayer ceremony or even in weddings.

An abode to Malayalam speaking gentry Kerala is also famously known as the land of god, the beautiful backwaters, rich Malabar Coast, flavorful cuisine and gigantic elephants to warm up one’s day is a great state to visit when in South India. Trivandrum in Kerala state of South India was the home town of one of the most veteran painters in Modern Indian history making it a rich habitat for the painting culture to flourish. One of the most literate state in the country, the state is located on the southernmost tip of the Indian subcontinent also making it a great point for spice trade further attracting Portuguese traders towards it. Oweing to the great temples in the state Kerala is a house to Sopana Sangeetham form of classical music tracing its origin from the temples of Kerala which were not only a pilgrimage site but also a great living sector for people