Key facts
- Keraleeyam ran from 1 to 7 November 2023 at more than 40 venues between Kowdiar and East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram, with free entry, according to Onmanorama.
- Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated it at the Central Stadium on 1 November 2023, with actors Kamal Haasan, Mammootty and Mohanlal on stage.
- On the closing day the government put spending at ₹27 crore, calling it an investment in Kerala’s future, Onmanorama reported; the UDF and BJP boycotted the event.
- On 30 January 2024 the Chief Minister told the Assembly that Keraleeyam would continue as an annual event, PTI reported.
- In October 2024 the government cancelled that year’s Keraleeyam, citing the Wayanad landslides and financial strain, according to Onmanorama.
Kerala Piravi before Keraleeyam
Kerala was formed on 1 November 1956, joining the Malayalam-speaking parts of Travancore-Cochin with Malabar. Our explainer, Kerala Piravi (1 November), covers the history and how the day is usually kept: school assemblies, Malayalam pledges, traditional dress in offices and colleges. For most of the state’s history, Kerala Piravi was a day of observance rather than a big public festival.
Timeline
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Nov 2023 | Keraleeyam inaugurated by CM Pinarayi Vijayan at Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram | Onmanorama |
| 1–7 Nov 2023 | Festival at 40+ venues from Kowdiar to East Fort; entry free | Onmanorama; Wikipedia |
| 7 Nov 2023 | Closing day; government states ₹27 crore spent and promises a cost estimate within a week | Onmanorama |
| 30 Jan 2024 | CM tells the Assembly Keraleeyam will continue annually | The South First (PTI) |
| 30 Jul 2024 | Wayanad landslides at Mundakkai and Chooralmala | Onmanorama |
| Oct 2024 | 2024 edition, already moved from November to December and then January, is cancelled | Onmanorama (24 Oct 2024) |
| 4 May 2026 | Assembly election results; a new UDF government takes office | Wikipedia |
What Keraleeyam 2023 was
The government described Keraleeyam as a showcase of the state’s progress and culture. It opened on 1 November 2023 at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, where Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was joined by actors Kamal Haasan, Mammootty and Mohanlal, with Shobana, Manju Warrier and businessmen M. A. Yusuff Ali and Ravi Pillai also present, Onmanorama reported. The rare stage appearance of the three actors together was widely shared.
Over the week the festival spread across more than 40 venues in four zones, from Kowdiar to East Fort. The published programme listed about 25 exhibitions, over 400 cultural programmes by some 3,000 artists, 11 food fairs, six flower shows, a film festival run by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, a book exhibition and seminars. City streets were lit in eight colour themes. Entry was free throughout.
The cost debate
Keraleeyam was politically contested from the start. The UDF and the BJP boycotted it, and Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan said the government was spending crores while deep in debt. On the closing day, 7 November 2023, the government said it had spent ₹27 crore and called this an investment for Kerala’s future, adding that a cost estimate would be published within a week, according to Onmanorama. Critics pointed to delays in welfare pension payments. We did not find a final audited figure in the sources we checked.
On 30 January 2024, replying to a question in the Assembly, the Chief Minister said the government planned to continue the event every year, citing public participation, PTI reported via The South First.
2024: postponed, then cancelled
The second Keraleeyam was planned for November 2024. It was moved to December, then to January 2025, and in October 2024 the government cancelled it. Onmanorama reported that the decision followed the Wayanad landslides at Mundakkai and Chooralmala and that the state’s severe financial strain also played a role. The same disaster led to the cancellation of the state’s official Onam programme that year, as recorded in our Onam 2022–2025 archive.
2025, 2026 and Kochi
As of October 2026 we have not found a reliable report of a Keraleeyam edition in November 2025. After the April 2026 Assembly election, counted on 4 May 2026, a UDF government led by V. D. Satheesan took office; we found no announcement about Keraleeyam’s future from it by the time of writing. 1 November 2026 is the 70th Kerala Piravi.
Keraleeyam was a Thiruvananthapuram event, and we found no record of a parallel Kochi programme. In Kochi, Kerala Piravi has been observed through schools, colleges and offices. For local context see the Kalamassery in 2023 year page and our Kalamassery Assembly constituency history.
Why it matters near the NAD signal
State festivals and holidays shape office calendars, travel and college timetables even for people who never attend them. Men staying at Ashraf Gents Hostel, many of them new to Kerala, will find that Kerala Piravi is a good day to learn how the state sees itself. For more, browse the Kalamassery history archive.
Frequently asked questions
When was Keraleeyam held?
From 1 to 7 November 2023 in Thiruvananthapuram, timed to Kerala Piravi. It was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the Central Stadium.
How much did Keraleeyam 2023 cost?
On the closing day the government said it had spent ₹27 crore and called it an investment, according to Onmanorama. We did not find a final audited figure.
Was there a Keraleeyam in 2024?
No. It was postponed twice and cancelled in October 2024, citing the Wayanad landslides and the state’s financial strain.
Did the opposition take part?
No. The UDF and the BJP boycotted Keraleeyam 2023, criticising the spending.
Were there Keraleeyam events in Kochi?
We found no record of a parallel Kochi programme; the festival was centred on Thiruvananthapuram.
Related guides
Sources
- Onmanorama: Keraleeyam inauguration in Thiruvananthapuram (1 Nov 2023)
- Onmanorama: Keraleeyam comes to an end today (7 Nov 2023)
- The South First (PTI): Kerala government to continue Keraleeyam as an annual event (30 Jan 2024)
- Onmanorama: Govt cancels Keraleeyam amid Wayanad disaster, financial strain (24 Oct 2024)
- Wikipedia: Keraleeyam (festival)
- Wikipedia: 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly election
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Cite this guide: Ashraf Gents Hostel. “Keraleeyam 2023 and Recent Kerala Piravi Celebrations.” Published 8 October 2026. https://ashrafgentspghostel.adserr.com/keraleeyam-2023-and-kerala-piravi-events/ Plain-text (Markdown) version · quoting with a link back is welcome.