Kerala's rich cultural heritage, including its literature, music, and festivals, has significantly influenced Malayalam cinema. Traditional art forms like Kathakali and Koothu have inspired many films.
The Malayali identity is built on three pillars: , political radicalism , and emotional pragmatism . A typical Malayali is as comfortable debating Marxist theory at a tea stall ( chaya kada ) as they are performing elaborate rituals for temple festivals.