Kerala is now officially renamed as Keralam after the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposal. The decision marks a significant cultural and historical step, restoring the state’s original name rooted in its linguistic and traditional heritage.
The Kerala government had earlier proposed the change to reflect the Malayalam pronunciation of the state’s name. Historically, the region was referred to as “Keralam” before British colonial influence popularized the anglicized version “Kerala.”
The approval was granted during a Union Cabinet meeting held at the newly inaugurated Prime Minister’s Office and Cabinet Secretariat complex at Kartavya Path, New Delhi. This move is being seen as an effort to preserve India’s cultural identity and regional authenticity.
Many states across India have previously restored traditional names, emphasizing native languages and heritage. The renaming of Kerala to Keralam aligns with this broader trend of reclaiming historical identity.