Keralas culture is derived from both a greater Tamil-heritage region known as Tamilakam and southern coastal Karnataka. Later, Keralas culture was elaborated upon through centuries of contact with neighboring and overseas cultures. Native performing arts include koodiyattom (a 2000 year old Sanskrit theatre tradition), kathakali—from katha ("story") and kali ("performance")—and its offshoot Kerala natanam, koothu (akin to stand-up comedy), mohiniaattam ("dance of the enchantress"), thullal, padayani, and theyyam.

Other forms of art are more religious or tribal in nature. These include chavittu nadakom, oppana (originally from Malabar), which combines dance, rhythmic hand clapping, and ishal vocalisations.

Keralas music also has ancient roots. Carnatic music dominates Keralite traditional music. Raga-based renditions known as sopanam accompany kathakali performances. Melam (including the paandi and panchari variants) is a more percussive style of music. Panchavadyam is a different form of percussion ensemble, in which up to 100 artists use five types of percussion instrument. Kerala has various styles of folk and tribal music. Keralas visual arts range from traditional murals to the works of Raja Ravi Varma, the states most renowned painter.

Kerala has its own Malayalam calendar, which is used to plan agricultural and religious activities. Keralas cuisine is typically served as a sadhya on green banana leaves. Such dishes as idli, payasam, pulisherry, puttucuddla, puzhukku, rasam, and sambar are typical. Keralites wear traditionally done flowing and unstitched garments. These include the mundu, a loose piece of cloth wrapped around mens waists. Women typically wear the sari, a long and elaborately wrapped banner of cloth, wearable in various styles.