India is a land of different cultures, heritages and traditions with so many barriers of caste, creed, religion, tribe etc. But, as a rule, unity in diversity is the motto of Indians. The broadminded nature of the Indian is evident in all spheres of life. This fact is evident in our culture, represented by music, dance, sculpture, painting, drama, literature and, above all, our life style. Every region in India from north to south and east to west has got its own rites and rituals, customs and manners to which any art form is used as an accompaniment. Music is also no exception.

The musical system of India is deep rooted in our culture, traditions and customs and is associated with our social set up and day to day affairs. It is on account of this association and relationship that Desi Sangeetha is unique in its characteristics. Desi, as the term means, is the style of music peculiar to each desa or territory. It can be considered as an offshoot from Marga Sangeetha codifying the musical style of different regions developing as a definite system

Kerala, being a land of rich cultural heritage and tradition, had a highly developed system of music of different strata and variety from very ancient times. “Keliyaadum Kalakalkkellam Keralamennoru veedundivite”

This famous quotation about Kerala is hundred per cent true. The Travancore area of Kerala is believed to have inherited its musical heritage from the Aryans who predominated here.

The period from 1750 to 1850 can be considered as the Golden Era in the history of India as well as Indian music. This was a transition period in various territories and states of India. Further, even before the advent of the British, Dravida Bhasha, a Dravdian language, developed in the southern peninsula of India; i.e. in the region that became the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Travancore. The region of Tamil Nadu was a combination of Kerala and Tamil Nadu known as Thamizhagom. The languages here had close affinity between the two. Thamizhagom constituted of Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms. All these kingdoms shared the same style of music known as Tamil music. The Sangam literature which emerged by about the 3r d century A.D. refers to the style of music and dance popular during that time in the Tamil region.

Owing to cultural assimilation and mingling with other cultures, Kerala represented three different characteristics of antiquity, continuity and synthesis enhanced by the influence of genuine, primitive survivals from pre-historic age. Herein the theatrical performances were of high religious value and aesthetic experience. Kerala possesses a rich cultural heritage and tradition of music, dance, drama, painting, sculpture and architecture. These forms developed and established as Kerala art forms having its own characteristics and individuality.

Kerala, being the bedrock of different fine art forms, combined in it different classical and folk art forms. Kerala which is believed to have been created by Parasurama, as per mythology, is also a land of variegated fine arts forms. Music in Travancore developed from three sources i.e., Temple music or Sopana Sangeetham, Kathakali music and Karnatic music.

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