Kerala’s progressive statistics often mask a deeply patriarchal household structure. The industry has historically been male-dominated, but a new wave of writing (led by women like G. R. Indugopan and filmmakers like Aparna Sen in the Malayalam space, and actresses like Nimisha Sajayan) is cracking open the veneer.

In recent years, Indian cuisine has gained immense popularity around the world, with many restaurants and food establishments offering a range of Indian dishes. The use of desi masala and other traditional spices has become a hallmark of Indian cuisine, with many people seeking out authentic Indian flavors.

: The 1970s saw the rise of the film society movement and "parallel cinema," led by visionaries like Adoor Gopalakrishnan and G. Aravindan . Adoor's Swayamvaram (1972) brought international acclaim, while his later work Elippathayam (1981) won the prestigious Sutherland Trophy.

(1965): Based on Thakazhi’s novel, it became the first South Indian film to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film .